ASDA have been accused of pulling a "PR stunt" by staff and their families in Dunfermline after the supermarket chain said it was closing its stores on Boxing Day as a gesture of thanks for their efforts during the pandemic.

But store workers will not be getting an extra day's holiday and, for some, it will be coming at the cost of a day's wages.

Getting a well-deserved rest on Boxing Day will come out of employees' existing holiday entitlement, and those staff who have already taken up their annual leave are expected to take it as a day unpaid or come into stack the shelves and clean their stores ready for December 27.

One female worker, from Dunfermline, who did not want to be named, told the Press: "They were just jumping on a bandwagon when several retailers said they were giving their staff Boxing Day off as a thank you for this year.

"The stores might be closed to the public but some staff might be stacking shelves.

"They're making it sound like we've all been given the day off but it's not as it seems – you'll have to take it out of your own holiday.

"It's all just a PR stunt.

"I think after all that we have put up with this year, it's a slap in the face and just a joke.

"They've made absolute millions this year but it doesn't feel like they care about their staff.

"The GMB union has been trying to fight it but I think it's too late now."

The partner of another Dunfermline worker added: "It's a PR stunt – it may appear like they're getting Boxing Day off but it's coming out of their own holiday.

"They're like the Scrooge at Christmas."

Aldi, Marks & Spencers and Waitrose are some of the other retail stores that have also said they're closed on Boxing Day.

But Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsburys will still open on Boxing Day despite calls to give staff the day off.

Roger Jenkins, GMB national officer, said: "GMB requested some weeks ago that Asda close on Boxing Day with a day's pay as a recognition of the horrendous time retail workers have been through over the last nine months.

"Instead, the company has decided on wholesale closures of stores without an extra day's paid leave, meaning that staff still have to come into work or take a day from their annual leave entitlement to receive their full pay packet.

"Asda workers who want to spend quality time with their loved ones over Christmas now have a stark choice; take a day's leave or lose a day's pay.

"Quite frankly, we think that's no recognition at all, and Asda should include Boxing Day as a paid holiday for staff as the bare minimum for employees who have risked their health to keep Britain fed during this pandemic."

An Asda spokesperson said: "Our colleagues have worked extremely hard this year and have not been able to see friends and family for much of it.

"That is why we made the decision to close our stores on Boxing Day and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from thousands of colleagues who now have the chance to take an extended break over the festive period.

"Any colleagues that choose to work on Boxing Day to prepare for our stores reopening on 27th December will receive their usual enhanced rate of pay for doing so.”