Employees of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh are challenging bosses who say they are not to sit down on their shifts.

While most museums and galleries allow their staff to sit down during their shifts, the Public and Commercial Services Union has said that the Edinburgh museum is refusing to provide seats. Staff say standing for hours with no respite can lead to or aggravate backache and other conditions.

The National Museum of Scotland responded by saying that attractions staff were allowed to sit in public seating if and when they needed to.

The Sunday Herald reported that Julie Matthews, head of visitor experience at National Museums Scotland, said attractions staff were allowed to sit in public seating if and when they needed to.

She said: “The role of visitor experience assistant is an active one in which staff move around to welcome and engage with our visitors. Staff have access to seating throughout the galleries and anyone with additional needs is supported on an individual basis.”

Museum staff will vote on whether to strike in the new year.