The Queen wiwll be one worker not getting time off over the Diamond Jubilee weekend! Greeting card image from TheDogsDoodahs.com

Employees should not be stopped from the enjoying the full Diamond Jubilee weekend by “penny-pinching” bosses, union leaders have said.

While most employers will allow staff to take a long break, there are concerns that some will treat Tuesday as a normal working day and expect their staff to come in.

Special bank holidays such as the extra day off next week are not included in the statutory paid leave entitlement, so workers are relying on the goodwill of their employers to be off on Tuesday.

The TUC is also urging that workers such as emergency services and retail staff should be given an extra day’s leave as well as overtime pay for working over the weekend.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: “The Diamond Jubilee weekend should be celebrated by everyone.

“But sadly hundreds of thousands of staff are likely to miss out on the festivities because some short-sighted employers are forcing them to work.

“Many bosses are not even giving them the premium pay rates they’d normally get on a bank holiday.

“While this penny pinching may save companies a few quid in the short term they lose more over time by generating widespread resentment amongst staff that may make them less likely to go that extra mile in the weeks and months to come.

“Workers have had enough bad news recently with taxes and under-employment rising, and take home pay going in the opposite direction.

“Let’s at least make this coming weekend one where everyone can celebrate and have a good time.”