Labour relations manager vs employee relations manager

The differences between labour relations managers and employee relations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a labour relations manager, becoming an employee relations manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a labour relations manager has an average salary of $86,150, which is higher than the $81,465 average annual salary of an employee relations manager.

The top three skills for a labour relations manager include human resources, collective bargaining agreements and arbitration. The most important skills for an employee relations manager are performance management, management system, and conflict resolution.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations manager overview

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Manager
Yearly salary	$86,150	$81,465
Hourly rate	$41.42	$39.17
Growth rate	-3%	7%
Number of jobs	31,787	41,544
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	41	47
Years of experience	4	6

What does a labour relations manager do?

Also called labor relations negotiators, labor relations managers enforce and maintain the labor relations policies, procedures, and programs of an organization. The managers ensure satisfactory relations between management and labor. They interpret the collective bargaining agreements. It is their job to resolve complaints, strikes, and disputes. They work hand in hand with arbitrators and mediators in determining new labor agreement conditions. Skills necessary for this position include leadership, communication, management, and customer service.

What does an employee relations manager do?

An employee relations manager's responsibilities revolve around maintaining a strong professional relationship between employees and a company's management. They are also in charge of resolving conflicts and issues within the workplace, providing technical support on all employee programs, developing orientation and workshop activities among trainees and new members of the workforce, and addressing their concerns promptly and professionally. Furthermore, there are instances when an employee relations manager must conduct investigations, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations manager salary

Labour relations managers and employee relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Manager
Average salary	$86,150	$81,465
Salary range	Between $57,000 And $130,000	Between $59,000 And $112,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Washington
Best paying company	eBay	Meta
Best paying industry	Utilities	Retail

Differences between labour relations manager and employee relations manager education

There are a few differences between a labour relations manager and an employee relations manager in terms of educational background:

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	Northwestern University

Labour relations manager vs employee relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between labour relations managers' and employee relations managers' demographics:

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Manager
Average age	41	47
Gender ratio	Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8%	Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	18%

Differences between labour relations manager and employee relations manager duties and responsibilities

Labour relations manager example responsibilities.

Reduce absenteeism by managing an aggressive absence control program for FMLA usage.
Lead the development and implementation of an improve full administrative process, absence controls, and tracking log for FMLA.
Manage all unemployment claims and appeals resulting in a reduction of the maximum experience rate to the minimum contribution rate.
Manage all aspects of employee relations including mediation and investigations as required.
Manage alumni programs and data systems including implementing new data tracking system and creating data privacy policy.
Counsele all levels of management regarding matters relate to the NLRA, RLA, ADA, FMLA and FLSA.

Employee relations manager example responsibilities.

Lead office through OFCCP audit and manage compliance with a conciliation agreement.
Manage and publish several cost-savings models for Sr. level management.
Provide litigation support to counsel which include representation at depositions, mediation and settlement conferences, and trial document preparation.
File EEO-1, ACA annually.
Provide oversight for all unemployment claims, successfully defending all unfound claims.
Serve as chief spokesperson and advisor on all labor and employee relations matters.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations manager skills

Common labour relations manager skills

Human Resources, 12%
Collective Bargaining Agreements, 7%
Arbitration, 5%
CRM, 5%
Collective Bargaining, 5%
PowerPoint, 4%

Common employee relations manager skills

Performance Management, 9%
Management System, 7%
Conflict Resolution, 5%
Labor Relations, 5%
Employment Law, 5%
Employee Engagement, 4%

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Labour Relations Manager
Labour Relations Manager vs Employee Relations Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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