Acas has published a plan to lift the UK out of its current productivity slump. However, it comes as new research from Oxford Economics suggests UK productivity could be set to dramatically improve.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that output per hour worked in the UK was 17 percentage points below the average for the rest of the major G7 advanced economies in 2013. This is the widest productivity gap since 1992.
This week, Acas chairman Sir Brendan Barber has launched a new report, Building Productivity in the UK, focusing on the role that workplaces can play in helping to solve the UK's productivity problem.
Sir Brendan Barber said: "Low productivity is one of the most crucial issues facing the country. A well-managed, efficient and innovative workplace can bring the improvements in productivity that we all want to see. We've identified seven levers that can help make it happen."
These levers include: well-designed job roles; skilled line managers; the effective management of conflict; clarity about rights and responsibilities; fair treatment of employees; giving employees a voice; and trust, with employers sharing information.
Also this week, Oxford Economics, on behalf of the International Festival for Business 2016, has released new data that suggests UK productivity is about to soar.
The report, entitled Beyond the City, predicts that productivity will rise by 10.7% over the next five years, driving real personal disposable incomes to rise by a total of 12.4%. It also says that 1.3 million new jobs will be created by 2020 as the UK's international competitiveness and exports improve.
Manufacturing is key to this growth, says the report. Manufacturing will see a 35% rise in the value of its exports and manufacturing productivity will rise by 15.5% over the next five years.
John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said: "There's no doubt that ramping up British exports and business investment is critical to our long-term growth. A rise in productivity will be a key ingredient in the sustained success of the recovery."
Anna Soubry, Small business, industry and enterprise minister, said: "Our economy grew faster than any other major advanced country last year and we are on course to repeat that this year. Soon we will publish a Productivity Plan to help the economy find another gear and make sure this growth delivers improvements in living standards and better public finances."