A report on bullying in the workplace is expected to recommend that all employers should be legally obliged to draw up anti-bullying codes for their employees.
It comes as new regulations are to be introduced in the autumn that will require companies to notify the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of cases of staff being on sick leave from stress for three or more days running.
The report on bullying in the workplace, which is to be launched today by the Minister of State at the Department of Employment, Tony Killeen, is expected to stress that few firms are required to produce anti-bullying codes of practice.
The only firms required to do so are those where the risk of bullying is perceived to be high, which has meant that few firms produce such codes.
There has been limited empirical research on bullying in the workplace in Ireland, although recent research suggests that 7 per cent of the workforce are in jobs where there is a significant risk of being bullied.
It is unclear whether legislation will be required to implement mandatory anti-bullying codes in Ireland.
It is thought that officials believe the new legislation - the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, which comes into force in September - could be used to introduce regulations, although other legislation could also be required.
The legislation will see the introduction in October of a series of regulations on additional health and safety requirements for firms and employees.
This includes the requirement of firms to notify the HSA of cases where employees are absent for three consecutive days or more because of stress.
It will be used firstly by the authority to establish the nature and extent of stress-related illnesses in the workplace.
It will also enable the HSA to sanction or prosecute companies that do not take steps to minimise stress-related illnesses due to work.
The legislation is a major update of work-related health and safety legislation, which has been in place since the late 1990s.
It will increase fines for companies found guilty of serious breaches of health and safety legislation from €2 million to 3 million, or up to two years in prison.
The legislation will also allow for the introduction of random alcohol and drug testing in relation to work where there is a high risk to employees and the general public.
Mr Killeen has begun a consultation programme with employers and unions on how the regulations will be implemented.
It is expected to apply only to work where there is a serious threat to other people if a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Work that has been cited includes the operation of vehicles and heavy machinery such as cranes.