Employers are facing a wave of compensation claims from staff members who feel they have been bullied at work because of their views over Brexit, lawyers have warned.

Workers who voted for Britain to leave the European Union in the referendum in June have complained of experiencing hostile remarks, harassment, and “cultural bullying” from Remain-supporting colleagues.

PwC, the consultancy firm, is advising four companies whose pro-Brexit staff have lodged legal complaints over angry clashes in the office and on social media.

Brexit is also putting relationships under strain at home, according to marriage counsellors who are dealing with the emotional fall-out of the referendum. Relate, the counselling service, has compiled advice for couples who are clashing in the aftermath of the vote because they took different sides in the referendum.

The strains suggest that the aftermath of the referendum could cost businesses money and couples their relationships.