Labor Relations Specialists

Labor relations specialists (also called employee relations specialists) resolve employee-management disputes, negotiate labor contracts, and coordinate grievance procedures regarding worker complaints. They may offer input on issues such as wages and salaries, nonwage benefits, and union or management practices.

Duties

Labor relations specialists typically do the following:

• Support interactions and negotiations between management and employee representatives, such as labor unions
• Develop, draft, and implement an organization’s policies, handbooks, and codes of conduct
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining or other agreements and employment policies
• Investigate worker misconduct and advise management on appropriate response and disciplinary procedures
• Manage employee grievances and discipline processes
• Resolve internal workplace disputes
• Guide employees on the terms of their employment
• Train management on labor relations and other policies and procedures

Labor relations specialists work with representatives for an organization’s management and employees. In addition to leading meetings between the two groups, labor relations specialists draft an agreement regarding organizational policies and procedures. These contracts, called collective bargaining agreements when negotiated between management and labor unions, serve as a legal and procedural guide for employee-management relations.

Once an organization’s policies are in place, labor relations specialists may work with either side to enforce them. For example, specialists may guide a manager in taking disciplinary action against an employee according to proper procedures. Other specialists may address worker grievances to ensure that they comply with relevant processes.

Labor relations specialists also instruct managers and employees about their organization’s policies and procedures. For example, they may provide trainings to management or share informational newsletters with employees that cover different issues specific to each group.

Labor relations specialists held about 65,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of labor relations specialists were as follows:

Labor relations specialists typically work in an office setting. Travel, such as to attend meetings or to engage with workers onsite, may be required. The work of labor relations specialists may be stressful if negotiating contracts and resolving grievances become tense.

Work Schedules

Most labor relations specialists work full time. They sometimes work for long periods, such as when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.

To enter the occupation, these specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations, human resources, business, or a related field. Specialists also may need several years of experience in a related occupation.

The median annual wage for labor relations specialists was $93,500 in May 2024.

Employment of labor relations specialists is projected to decline 0 percent from 2024 to 2034.

Despite declining employment, about 5,100 openings for labor relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.