More than one million working days were lost to strike action in 2006, it has been revealed.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows that 1.041 million days were lost, an increase of over 250,000 when compared to the previous year.
According to David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, such strike action can be highly damaging to firms that are already struggling because of the current economic downturn.
He said: "Industrial disputes have a direct impact on a business' day to day running and the government needs to work much harder to improve its current handling of industrial relations."
Meanwhile, one legal expert has called on firms to embrace workplace arbitration.
According to Eilidh Wiseman, head of employment law at Dundas and Wilson, companies that use such methods can save themselves both time and money.
By negotiating with disgruntled staff, managers can avoid the prospect of a costly employment tribunal, she added.
