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Labor Relations Specialists

$89,980 Median Wage (2023)

5,300 Projected job openings (2023-2033)

-0.30% Projected growth (2023-2033)

Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Advise others on human resources topics.
Negotiate agreements to resolve disputes.
Arrange collective bargaining agreements.
Evaluate personnel practices to ensure adherence to regulations.
Prepare regulatory or compliance documentation.
Present business-related information to audiences.
Organize special events.
Assess risks to business operations.
Measure effectiveness of business strategies or practices.
Establish organizational guidelines or policies.
Establish business management methods.
Collect evidence for legal proceedings.
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
Update knowledge of legal or regulatory environments.
Train personnel on managerial topics.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.
Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives.
Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
Assess risk levels associated with collective bargaining strategies.
Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations.
Identify alternatives to proposals of unions, employees, companies, or government agencies.
Draft rules or regulations to govern collective bargaining activities in collaboration with company, government, or employee representatives.
Research case law or outcomes of previous case hearings.
Write letters related to labor relations activities, such as letters to amend collective bargaining agreements, letters of dispute or conciliation, or letters to seek clarification of contract terms.
Schedule or coordinate the details of grievance hearings or other meetings.
Review and approve employee disciplinary actions, such as written reprimands, suspensions, or terminations.
Select mediators or arbitrators for labor disputes or contract negotiations.
Assess the impact of union proposals on company or government operations.
Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures.
Train managers or supervisors on topics related to labor relations, such as working conditions, safety, or equal opportunity practices.
Provide expert testimony in legal proceedings related to labor relations or labor contracts.
Develop employee health and safety policies.
Develop methods to monitor employee satisfaction with policies or working conditions, including grievance or complaint procedures.
Prepare reports or presentations to communicate employee satisfaction or related data to management.
Prepare and submit required governmental reports or forms related to labor relations matters, such as equal employment opportunity (EEO) forms, new hire forms, or minority compensation reports.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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