Small firms can reduce the chance of costly staff disputes by ensuring managers are up to date on human resource issues such as equality and diversity, according to one expert.
Martin Smith, executive director of Croner, explains that managers who are given the right training should be able to spot potential issues before they become a problem, something that will help a firm in many ways.
He said: "Disputes between management and staff can be extremely damaging to any organisation.
"As well as the cost of potential litigation, low staff morale can affect productivity, customers might take their business elsewhere and new talent might think twice before applying for employment."
Mr Smith's comments come after research by Peninsula revealed that men who complain about sexual harassment in the work place feel that they are taken less seriously than their female colleagues.
In addition, the Krauthammer Observatory 2008 report found that 80 per cent of staff think their managers should help find a common solution in conflict situations.
