Labor Relations Specialist
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Managers and SpecialistsCreated by the U.S. Department of Labor, this career profile introduces you to the training, work qualifications, employment data, and job outlook for labor relations managers, including advancement and salaries. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find links to important professional organizations in the field, or click on detailed earnings data and learn more about this career in this industry.
Princeton Review: Labor Relations SpecialistAfter you register for the information found at this page, you can learn about a day in the life of a labor relations specialist at this page, as well as links to information on facts and figures about the career, majors that might be useful in advancing your position, and what you can expect to earn in the field as a person just starting out and after several years. Links at the top of the page will take you to further information on salary, job outlook, and training information after your registration is complete.
Occupational Titles
Labor Relations Specialist
Human Resources Manager
Accredited Academic Programs
Princeton Review: College Majors, Labor Relations SpecialistLog in to this site with your user name and password that you create to find a list of majors related to the field of labor relations, including political science, sociology, and public policy analysis. Click on any one of these, and you will find basic information about the major, as well as an additional menu of links to high school preparation, a sample undergraduate curriculum, and accredited schools offering the major. You can go directly to the home pages of the colleges and universities you are interested in to learn more about their programs.
Society for Human Resource Management: Directory of Undergraduate ProgramsFind a listing of more than 250 HR-related undergraduate programs from this page of a well-known organization in the labor relations field. You can also learn how to become a student member of this organization.
Salary Levels
PayScale: Labor Relations SpecialistThe median salary by years of experience as a labor relations specialist is shown at the graph at this site. If you scroll down, you will find median salary by employer city or state, or find links to related information on salary by education, gender, and other categories.
Professional Organizations
American Arbitration AssociationFind out about dispute resolution services and other interesting departments of use to labor relations specialists at this page of the American Arbitration Association. Click on “government and labor” to find out about labor arbitration, pension plan arbitration, employee benefit arbitration, and additional topics relevant to the profession.
American Society for Training and DevelopmentAs a labor relations specialist, you will want to know how to engage employees in training programs and interactive activities to build morale and create learning experiences that enhance labor relations. Check out educational programs, publications, and the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance credential.
International Foundation of Employee Benefit PlansCome to this site to find out about helping employers and their employees get the most out of employee benefits. You will find e-learning opportunities, a glossary of terms in the field, and certifications and designations that the organization offers. A student link connects you to answers to frequently asked questions and examination procedures.
Society for Human Resource ManagementThe Society for Human Resource Management is a leader in the field, providing HR professionals with the tools they need to advance their role across many different industries. This organization has more than 225,000 members in 125 countries, with a network of over 500 U.S. chapters. Opportunities available to you include a career database, training and e-learning, a professional development tracker, and the opportunity to learn about multiple HR focus areas.
World at WorkThis organization focuses on human resource disciplines that promote education, knowledge, and rewards to motivate and retain employees. Learn about all this association offers in the way of courses, seminars, and networking opportunities for the labor relations and HR specialist.
Job Opportunity Sources
Indeed.com: Labor Relations SpecialistMore than a thousand opportunities around the country are collected at this single site, where you can read about the latest jobs for labor relations specialists in various industries. This comprehensive set of listings is collected from various national job databases, and will give you a good idea of what types of opportunities and salaries are available for these human resources professionals.
Society for Human Resource Management: HR JobsSearching for an HR or labor relations job is easy at this page, which contains links to a job database, job seeker account, personal job alert, and additional jobseeker resources.
WorldatWork: Find a JobHR job listings are collected at this database, placed by association members, recruitment firms, and consulting companies. Find an internship or opportunity that is right for you by searching location, job title, and keywords.
Licensing & Certification
Society for Human Resource Management: CertificationFind out about the different certifications offered by this organization in the field of HR and labor relations, including global certification preparation, professional in human resources, senior professional, and certain state certification programs.
WorldatWork: CertificationAt this page, you can learn about one credential of interest to labor relations professionals, known as the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. Current practices and the value of certification are discussed, as well as the road to certification.
Publications
HR Issues UpdateThese e-newsletters let you in on the current HR public policy topics that affect labor relations specialists, including healthcare, workplace leave, safety, and daily job topics. This quick and concise resource is available for free by clicking on the issues at the left of the screen.
Industrial and Labor Relations ReviewThis notable publication from Cornell University provides a quarterly journal online of all articles and book reviews published since 1947. You will find abstracts of all material from the links at this page, as well as downloadable articles on labor standards, the labor market, job quality, and other topics that are important to labor relations specialists. You can get very familiar with important issues in the field from this resource.
Wall Street JournalFind national and international news and business and labor relations at the online publication of worldwide business. The main menu contains departments on U.S. business, as well as links to information on European and Asian markets. Opinion, lifestyle, and multimedia and online extras are offered, including podcasts, video centers, and blogs to keep you up-to-date in your field.
Online Forums & Blogs
WorldatWork Bulletin BoardYou can view this member board and find discussions related to the labor force, technology, outsourcing, organizational needs, and other issues in the field of labor relations.
Career Videos
HR.com: WebcastsProviding HR education, this webcast site has a list of upcoming webcasts, as well as an archive that you can browse. Topics address talent management, workforce planning, strategic employee recruitment, and much more. The videos are intended as continuing education, are easy to understand, and entertaining. The webcasts are available to all registered HR.com members for free, so go to the “Become a Member” link at the right-hand side of the page.
Society for Human Resource Management: Video, Podcasts, and WebcastsJoin this organization as a student member and have access to a large webcast archive, podcasts, and the ability to use the educational opportunities here to further professional certifications in the field of human resources, if desired.
