Labour relations manager vs employee relations representative

The differences between labour relations managers and employee relations representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a labour relations manager and an employee relations representative. Additionally, a labour relations manager has an average salary of $86,150, which is higher than the $60,816 average annual salary of an employee relations representative.

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 representative are performance management, labor relations, and human resources policies.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations representative overview

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Representative
Yearly salary	$86,150	$60,816
Hourly rate	$41.42	$29.24
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	31,787	35,780
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

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 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.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations representative salary

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

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Representative
Average salary	$86,150	$60,816
Salary range	Between $57,000 And $130,000	Between $40,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New Jersey
Best paying company	eBay	Google
Best paying industry	Utilities	Manufacturing

Differences between labour relations manager and employee relations representative education

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

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Labour relations manager vs employee relations representative demographics

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

	Labour Relations Manager	Employee Relations Representative
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8%	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between labour relations manager and employee relations representative 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 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.

Labour relations manager vs employee relations representative 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 representative skills

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

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Labour Relations Manager
Labour Relations Manager vs Employee Relations Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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