More firms expect staff to work bank holidays

More companies expect their staff to work on Bank Holidays, but many are offering paid leave for employees to get married or move house, a survey of leave entitlement shows.

Research among 250 UK firms found that most gave paid leave for family emergencies, although often at the discretion of managers.

Mercer Human Resource Consulting said its poll showed that most firm gave two days' leave for marriage and one day to move house.

Only 6% of firms questioned offered staff a sabbatical, while average holiday entitlement ranged from 23 to 25 days, with extra leave often given for years of service.

David Wreford, European Principal at Mercer, said more companies were offering services throughout the year so expected their staff to work public holidays.

Around 40% of the companies surveyed specified when basic holidays entitlement had to be taken.