The number of days lost through labour disputes reached 443,600 in 2013, up 79% from 248,800 in 2012, according to a report by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

About a million public sectors workers are expected to strike today in a series of disputes with the Government over pay, pensions and further cuts.

Business secretary Vince Cable has announced that the Government is to outlaw the use of exclusivity in zero-hours contracts, but has resisted calls to ban them completely.

Some of the biggest unions in the country are balloting their members to assess the appetite for industrial action, due to ongoing anger over the 1% pay offer for workers in the public sector.

A lack of clarity in drug and alcohol policies can spell trouble for employers, especially in tribunals, a panel of experts agreed yesterday.

The Government has released its latest report into employers who owe staff money after failing to pay them the national minimum wage over the past 12 months.

The number of private sector employees in unions rose between 2010 and 2013 after a gradual decline over 15 years, according to figures released by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.

The Dorchester Collection has promised to protect jobs, wages and benefits in spite of a potentially harmful boycott due to the company’s links to Brunei.

Important lessons can be learnt from the “Employee Fraudscape” report recently published by CIFAS, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service.

The Post Office and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have agreed a pay deal, following negotiations lasting over 12 months.

NHS Employers chief executive Dean Royles has urged unions to engage in talks over employee pay as UNISON and Unite consider industrial action.

KPMG is supporting a TUC initiative to raise awareness about the living wage. The Fair Play Fortnight is a series of events across the UK from 24 March to 6 April.