UoA student ambassadors have spoken out against what they describe as ‘exploitative’ working conditions during their Welcome Week shifts, claiming they were subjected to excessive physical demands and an unsupportive work environment.
Citing fear of retribution from the University, many of these ambassadors have chosen to remain anonymous.
Ambassadors are recruited each year to represent the University and its students at events. During Welcome Week, campus was filled with ambassadors directing new students, dressed in the signature blue uniform. The University states that they are also expected to “promote the university at a range of events throughout the year, provide an authentic student voice and administrative support for short and long-term projects.”
Despite this description, which each year attracts many eager students looking to enhance their employability and earn extra income, some have told The Gaudie that they have not had the experience they expeted over the start of the 24/25 semester.
Though the University heavily promoted the role of student ambassadors last year, describing it as “essential,” ambassadors claim that reality has proven far more gruelling than advertised.
Students working at registration, stationed in the Science Teaching Hub report being required to stand for the entirety of their shifts—sometimes up to eight hours—with a prohibition placed on sitting down, regardless of whether there were tasks to perform, leading one student to comment that “it is not a rewarding job.”
Ambassadors are asked to email their interest in shifts via the MyAberdeen site, and successful applicants are assigned shifts. During the selection process, ambassadors tell The Gaudie that they were not asked important questions regarding disabilities and/or mobility issues that could have greatly impacted one’s ability to do the job effectively, given the role required so much standing.
“We were told we had to stand for the whole eight hours,” one ambassador explained. “There was pretty much nothing to do, so by half past eleven, my feet were killing me. We had seen ambassadors sitting down the day before, but we were told that wasn’t allowed and were shouted at for asking.”
Other ambassadors commented on the double standard of sitting down, saying that “I have seen many of my colleagues sitting down on other shifts and when I do it, I’ve been told off by multiple staff.”
With another unhappy ambassador adding: “my whole body aches after these shifts.”
Ambassadors were keen to point out the irony in the University’s apparent lack of concern for the wellbeing of the very students it employs to create a welcoming environment for incoming students.
“It’s not okay to expect people to stand for 8 hours for little more than minimum wage,” an ambassador stated. The same ambassador overheard another group of ambassadors saying the job was “one step away from torture” and agreed with their sentiment.
Ambassadors also pointed out the disorganisation and inefficiency of their deployment during the later weeks of the first semester, when the flow of students slowed dramatically.
“There are so few students coming to registration on week 2 or 3 that the supposedly cash-strapped university could save money by not having ambassadors [at registration] at all.”
One ambassador speculated, “Perhaps somebody from the InfoHub would prefer to stand all day instead? I suspect not.”
For many ambassadors, the promise of earning a small wage and gaining professional experience has been overshadowed by a sense of disillusionment with the university’s approach to its student workers. Ambassadors mentioned some of positives that come with the job, such as flexible working hours and a decent pay rate. However, these perks have not been enough to overpower the alleged exploitation and unfair working environment they have faced over the last few weeks.
This incident may point to a larger, systemic problem in how universities manage their staff on precarious contracts, particularly during high-demand periods like Welcome Week and Freshers. With the increasing commercialisation of higher education, students may argue that universities might be prioritising cost-cutting measures over the well-being and protection of their own student workers.
Responding to the claims, a University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any instances where ambassadors were shouted at for sitting down during a shift. We would encourage anyone with a concern to raise it with their supervisor, line manager or HR representative.
“Ambassadors receive the same break entitlement as all staff so that they have the opportunity to regularly rest and get refreshments.
“Had any of the ambassadors raised concerns, alternative arrangements would have been made for either temporary or permanent cover to be put in place.”
