A ‘dispute management skills gap’ is straining workplace relations, raising calls for stronger employer-union ties ahead of new access rights

18 June 2026

Workplace relations could be under strain, with many employees lacking confidence in those responsible for resolving conflict, research has suggested.

A quarter (26 per cent) of workers surveyed believe managers and employee representatives are ineffective at preventing and resolving conflict, according to data from 1,000 UK employees collected by public body Acas.

The conciliation service found that nearly one in three workers (31 per cent) lack access to employee representatives who could help resolve workplace disputes.

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Acas said the findings underlined the need for stronger relationships between managers and employee representatives.

Kevin Rowan, director of dispute resolution at Acas, said: “We know there is a conflict management skills gap in Britain, and our survey shows too many cases where employee representatives and managers are not effective enough at working with each other, leading to conflict and disruption.”

The survey comes as employers prepare for new trade union access rights under the Employment Rights Act 2025, with a code of practice due in October 2026.

Acas has urged employers, unions and the government to work together...

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