OPPOSING positions in workplace conflicts have become more entrenched, conciliation service Acas said today.

The service said its collective conciliation remains highly rated, but added that those involved in conflicts are increasingly unsure how to resolve the issues.

Declining negotiation skills, lack of experience of handling collective conflict, increasingly polarised starting positions and challenging economic and political factors have all contributed to an increase in requests for Acas’s help, it reported.

Acas director of dispute resolution Kate Nowicki said: “Industrial disputes increased last year against a challenging economic and political backdrop, and we have seen the landscape of collective workplace conflict become more complex, with opposing positions often more entrenched.

“Despite this, our research shows that satisfaction levels amongst Acas customers remain very high.

“We are listening carefully to what people say about us and gaining new insights to make sure that our conciliation service is as good as it can be.

“This validation of the service comes at an important time, as the employment relations landscape faces significant change with the introduction of the government’s Employment Rights Bill.”

Acas was involved in 618 collective disputes in the year leading up to March.