The Labour Relations Commission says it handled a record number of complaints on employment issues last year.
Hearings by the LRC's Rights Commissioners increased by 18%.
Conciliation and advisory services also recorded increases of 14% and 18% respectively.
The commission said the rise was due to greater awareness of employment rights, particularly amongst migrant workers.
However, Chief Executive Kieran Mulvey said it was concerned at the high level of dispute referrals where problems could have been addressed locally.
