Labor relations specialists can arbitrate an agreement between a union and an employer.
An industrial relations specialist is a human resources specialist who helps workers and employers negotiate contracts. Conduct research on wages, benefits, and working conditions in a particular industry to help management draft employment contracts. If a dispute occurs between a single employee or union with employers, the labor relations specialist can moderate the discussions and help both parties reach a satisfactory conclusion. Most experts enter the field after graduating with a degree in management and gaining several years of experience in specific industries. Professionals may be employed full-time by companies or act as outside consultants, providing services to various clients.
An industrial relations specialist helps companies create environments and situations that keep employees engaged and happy.
A well-trained and dedicated workforce is essential to the success of any business or industry. To ensure quality production, business owners must be able to keep employees happy and provide adequate wages and benefits. However, competition and the pursuit of profit can make it difficult to provide workers with everything they want. The goal of an industrial relations specialist is to help workers and employers reach agreements that promote worker satisfaction and ensure that the company remains profitable.
Experts conduct extensive research on competing companies and economic theory to develop contract standards. When an employee or union feels they deserve better pay or benefits, talk to an expert to learn about their options. The labor relations specialist explains the limitations of his wishes and writes a report to present to management. He or she tries to negotiate agreements with business owners and executives, explaining workers’ requests and outlining the best ways to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the final decisions.
A bachelor’s degree in business administration is enough to find industrial relations specialist jobs in many settings. Some employers, especially private consulting firms, prefer to hire people with a master’s degree in management, human resources, or industrial relations. Additionally, many promising labor relations specialists choose to pursue a law degree to enhance their credentials and understand the legal aspects of their work.
Many professional organizations offer voluntary certification to new workers in the field. Certification is not normally required for employment as an industrial relations specialist, although it can expand employment opportunities and assure potential clients that an individual is fully qualified. With proven experience and skills, a respected industrial relations specialist may have the opportunity to obtain an executive position within a company or even start their own independent consulting business.