Workplace conflict: research and commentary | Acas

Publications and commentary about the types of conflict in the workplace, what causes it, and how it can best be prevented and resolved.

Research and discussion papers

How prevalent is individual conflict at work in Great Britain in 2025?

Research exploring how common individual conflict at work is in Britain.

Independent research, 20 November 2025

How can Acas encourage more employers to make the best use of early conciliation?

Research exploring the reasons affecting employers' decisions to decline early conciliation.

Independent research, 24 July 2025

Defining and enabling informal workplace conflict resolution

Research exploring informal conflict resolution practices used in workplaces.

Independent research, 30 June 2025

Managing conflict at work

Research exploring the role played by managers in handling disciplinary issues and employee grievances.

Independent research, 29 October 2024

Continuity and change in collective workplace conflict in Britain

Research examining the changing actors, issues, and channels involved in collective workplace conflict in Britain.

Independent research, 3 October 2024

Managerial capability and staff engagement

Findings from the Skilled Managers Productive Workplaces research programme.

Independent research, 19 September 2024

Mediation and early resolution in East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Findings from research into early conflict resolution at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Independent research, 17 May 2023

Resolving workplace disputes in SMEs – qualitative research with employers

Research into the experience of employers in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises of disputes at work.

Independent research, 15 July 2022

Estimating the costs of workplace conflict

Report measuring the incidence, impact and cost of conflict in UK workplaces.

Independent research, 11 May 2021

Disputes and their management in the workplace

National survey of trends in workplace disputes and how they are managed.

Independent research, 30 April 2020

Fairness, justice and capability: repositioning conflict management

Insights from Acas research argue for a new approach to managing workplace conflict.

Acas discussion paper, 1 October 2019

Managing workplace conflict: the changing role of HR

Assessment of the impact of change to HR functions on managing conflict.

Independent research, 1 October 2019

Managing individual conflict in the contemporary British workplace

Findings into how conflict management at work is being shaped by regulation.

Independent research, 23 March 2016

Seeking better solutions: tackling bullying and ill-treatment

How bullying and ill-treatment could be dealt with more effectively in workplaces.

Acas discussion paper, 1 November 2015

Payment of Acas conciliated settlements

Independent research into the proportion of employers who are more likely to pay a settlement when Acas is involved in negotiations.

Independent research, 1 January 2015

Reframing resolution: managing conflict and resolving employment disputes

Findings from seminars run in 2012 and 2013 examining workplace conflict.

Acas discussion paper, 1 March 2014

Blogs and articles

Acas Chair Baroness Jones's speech on workplace relations

Read a transcript of a speech on workplace relations made by Acas Chair Baroness Jones in the House of Lords.

Acas blog, 21 May 2026

Time to work constructively with trade unions

David D'Souza, Director of Profession at CIPD discusses recent legal changes and the importance of employers working constructively with trade unions

Acas blog, 3 March 2026

Conflict at work: why it happens and how people try to resolve it

Emily Starling, an Acas Senior Research Officer, comments on a new report on the most common features of individual conflict at work.

Acas blog, 20 November 2025

How we navigate change by building consensus

Marina Glasgow feeds back on recent discussions with sector stakeholders on creating better and fairer conditions at work.

Acas blog, 30 January 2025

Line manager handling of discipline and grievance – a barrier to resolution?

Andrew Sutherland explores recent research into how managers handle conflict at work.

Acas blog, 29 October 2024

The lost art of negotiation – and how we can reset workplace relations

Kate Nowicki responds to recent research into collective work disputes and gives advice for anyone starting negotiations.

Acas blog, 8 October 2024

Skilled Managers Productive Workplaces: Translating research into workplace practice that works

Research highlights from the Skilled Managers Productive Workplaces programme, by the academics who led it.

Acas blog, 19 September 2024

Find more research and commentary on our previous website:

Acas advice on this topic

Read Acas advice for employers and workers on:

Contact our research and policy teams

Research team

For more information about Acas research, email research@acas.org.uk.

Workplace policy team

For more information or to sign up for updates about Acas publications, email workplacepolicy@acas.org.uk.