Students and graduates face an increased threat of workplace cyber-bullying.

Employment law consultancy Peninsula has received 27 percent more calls from concerned employers over the last six months.

It warns that employers must do more to combat the bullies and reassure employees.

Paul Kent, of Peninsula, said: "This is a growing problem, we seem to be taking more and more calls on this subject. It is very easy for employers to be unaware of the issue but the fact of the matter is that it is bullying, and if an employer ignores or is unaware of an incident then the employee concerned could eventually take action against the employer. Cyber bullying can take many forms and use various messaging services such as email or instant messaging.

"It is so easy for employees to send an email while tempers are running high, ignoring the effect it might have on the recipient. Take cyber-bullying as seriously, if not more so, as normal harassment. It is very easy for a problem to persist silently whilst work colleagues and managers are unaware that it is taking place."

Anyone affected by cyber-bullying should report it immediately to their manager.

Employers have a duty to protect their employees from bullying in the workplace.