ONE in three employers are likely to make staff redundancies by the start of next year, new research suggests.

Larger businesses are more likely to make layoffs than smaller firms, a survey of 1,000 businesses by the conciliation service Acas found.

Acas director of dispute resolution Kevin Rowan urged businesses to “look at all possible alternatives to redundancies first.”

Those that press ahead with redundancies without following legal requirements to consult with staff early to seek their views would face a “costly legal process,” he warned.

Next year, the Employment Rights Act will introduce new consultation requirements if redundancies are proposed across multiple sites.

Employers proposing to make 20 or more staff redundant in a 90-day period must consult a recognised trade union or elected employee representatives about the plans.

“Acas recommends that the government ensures employers and trade unions understand the value of collective consultation and have the skills to work well together,” added Mr Rowan.