Workplace bullying has been highlighted as a key concern for 2016 by Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).

Acas identifies bullying, pay, the new Trade Union Bill, productivity, and the increased use of zero hour contracts as major issues for the coming year, in its Workplace Trends 2016 report.

The report includes advice from a range of employment experts on ways to deal with these issues.

Sir Brendan Barber, chairman of Acas, says: “We will be taking up some of the suggestions identified within our study over the coming year such as having a public debate on workplace bullying to seek better solutions and looking into the feasibility of a Code of Practice or new Acas guidance on unwanted behaviour in the workplace.”

Barber also highlighted a 19% rise since last year to about 744,000 workers now on zero hours contracts, and advised businesses to look closely at their pay and reward structures ahead of the introduction of the new National Living Wage in April.