BRAND new figures from Acas 2005/06 annual report shows record numbers of people are using its helpline and website services to get the latest advice and guidance on employment relations issues. In 2005/06 calls to the national helpline rose for the four

BRAND new figures from Acas' 2005/06 annual report shows record numbers of people are using its helpline and website services to get the latest advice and guidance on employment relations issues.

In 2005/06 calls to the national helpline rose for the fourth consecutive year with over 900,000 calls received on a wide range of employment issues.

The top three topics covered were discipline and grievance, maternity or paternity and redundancy or layoff issues.

There was also a rise in the number of people accessing the Acas website, which had 1.7 million visits.

The report showed that the number of claims to employment tribunals rose by 25 per cent from the previous year. Acas dealt with 952 large scale disputes in 2005/06 compared to 1,123 in 2004/05.

Acas chairman Rita Donaghy said: "We have had another busy and challenging year. Our commitment to improving organisations through better employment relations continues to drive the development of new Acas services.

"The challenge for us now is to continue to develop and maintain our high standards and help more organisations realise the benefits of good employment relations.