Employee relations representative vs human resources generalist

The differences between employee relations representatives and human resources generalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an employee relations representative, becoming a human resources generalist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an employee relations representative has an average salary of $60,816, which is higher than the $56,159 average annual salary of a human resources generalist.

The top three skills for an employee relations representative include performance management, labor relations and human resources policies. The most important skills for a human resources generalist are HRIS, performance management, and customer service.

Employee relations representative vs human resources generalist overview

	Employee Relations Representative	Human Resources Generalist
Yearly salary	$60,816	$56,159
Hourly rate	$29.24	$27.00
Growth rate	-3%	8%
Number of jobs	35,780	44,365
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	6

What does an employee relations representative do?

Employee relations representatives are professionals who are responsible for negotiating the contracts of employees as well as offer overall support to them working for an organization. These representatives must deal with employee complaints in areas such as salary, pensions, and benefits while investigating potential disturbances in their workplace. They must educate their employees about the organization's personnel rules and practices as well as the state labor laws. Employee relations representatives must also keep complete and accurate employee records and provide guidance to limit potential lawsuits.

What does a human resources generalist do?

A human resources generalist is responsible for monitoring the human resources policies and procedures, making adjustments as needed to align with the company's goals and objectives. Duties of a human resources generalist also include improving employee relations system, organizing compliance and knowledge training, reviewing benefit plans, managing compensation inquiries, assisting in recruitment and staffing needs, communicating with department heads in employees' performance reviews, and storing employees' files for reference. A human resource generalist must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to address issues concerning the company and employees' welfare.

Employee relations representative vs human resources generalist salary

Employee relations representatives and human resources generalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Employee Relations Representative	Human Resources Generalist
Average salary	$60,816	$56,159
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $91,000	Between $41,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New York
Best paying company	Google	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between employee relations representative and human resources generalist education

There are a few differences between an employee relations representative and a human resources generalist in terms of educational background:

	Employee Relations Representative	Human Resources Generalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Pennsylvania

Employee relations representative vs human resources generalist demographics

Here are the differences between employee relations representatives' and human resources generalists' demographics:

	Employee Relations Representative	Human Resources Generalist
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between employee relations representative and human resources generalist duties and responsibilities

Employee relations representative example responsibilities.

Gather and document information to achieve litigation free outcomes or successfully defend company.
Process job injury payroll and time sheets utilizing Kronos and PeopleSoft systems.
Oversee all leaves of absence including short-term disability, long-term disability, FMLA, military leave and personal leave.
Participate in the selection and implementation process for the HRIS system and maintain applicant data entry for HRIS/Lawson application tracking system.
Research and analyze the implications of the FMLA legislation on company practices, and implement employee communication and corporate compliance procedures.
Conduct disciplinary action and termination investigations and track information regarding investigations via HRIS system.

Human resources generalist example responsibilities.

Manage any payroll-relate issues/questions with ADP directly and communicate resolutions to employees.
Manage administration and compliance of benefit programs, including FMLA and educational assistance programs.
Perform all benefits processing and payroll functions including coordinating and performing employee benefit eligibility and open enrollment activities.
Partner with the corporate compensation Sr.
Assist with the planning and implementation of KRONOS the organization's HRIS system.
Compile data; prepare and present material in PowerPoint presentations for staff meetings.

Employee relations representative vs human resources generalist skills

Common employee relations representative skills

Performance Management, 7%
Labor Relations, 6%
Human Resources Policies, 6%
Conflict Resolution, 5%
Employment Law, 5%
HRIS, 5%

Common human resources generalist skills

HRIS, 9%
Performance Management, 7%
Customer Service, 5%
Exit Interviews, 4%
Payroll Processing, 3%
Excellent Interpersonal, 3%

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Employee Relations Representative
Employee Relations Representative vs Human Resources Generalist

Updated January 8, 2025

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