The entry into force of a range of new workplace regulations has prompted concern among employers.

While Friday has been branded "red tape day" by some business organisations, unions welcomed a range of new benefits for workers.

Legislation taking effect on October 1 includes new dispute resolution regulations, new employment tribunal rules, amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act and increases in the national minimum wage.

One set of regulations will require all employers to have procedures in place to deal with internal grievances and disputes.

New disability rights regulations also come into force meaning that all employers are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, which requires reasonable adjustments to business premises to accommodate disabled people.

And the national minimum wage for adults increases to £4.85 per hour, while workers aged 16 and 17 gain a new minimum wage of £3 an hour.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber welcomed the wage hike, which will mean a pay boost for 1.5 million workers.

And he said the rules on disability discrimination were "a major advance towards equal treatment".

"But although the changes have been well publicised, many firms have been burying their heads in the sand, hoping that today would never happen," he added.

"Now all public buildings must be fully accessible, many companies could find themselves up in court."

Kevin Hawkins, director general, of the British Retail Consortium, said the sector had made "huge efforts" to improve access for disabled customers.

He said the industry was "not claiming to be perfect" but added that the new legal duties "present an opportunity and challenge for retailers to really open up services to those 10 million adults in the UK with a disability and their friends and families".

The Institute of Directors backed the principle of introducing the regulations on a single day, making it easier for business to keep track of changes in the law.

But the business organisation also warned that the overall volume of regulatory burdens needed to be cut.

"We still need to tackle the pro-regulation mindset that pervades Whitehall and Brussels," said head of regulatory affairs James Walsh.

"With around half of new business regulations originating in Brussels, the new common commencement date approach will fail unless it is extended to EU measures as well.

"There is plenty of talk about 'better regulation' at EU level. Following British best practice on common commencement dates would be a practical step forwards."