How to hire a labour relations representative

How to hire a labour relations representative, step by step

Here's a step-by-step labour relations representative hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a labour relations representative job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new labour relations representative
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a labour relations representative do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a labour relations representative, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a labour relations representative to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a labour relations representative that fits the bill.

   This list presents labour relations representative salaries for various positions.

   Type of Labour Relations Representative	Description	Hourly rate
   Labour Relations Representative	Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts regarding issues such as wages and salaries, healthcare, pensions, and union and management practices.	$20-49
   Employee Relations Coordinator	An Employee Relations Coordinator is responsible for supporting the human resources department operations, acting as a liaison between the senior management and employees. They facilitate the hiring process, coordinating with the hiring managers for their staffing needs and qualification requirements... Show more	$17-35
   Labour Relations Manager	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... Show more	$27-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Human Resources
   • Collective Bargaining Agreements
   • Arbitration
   • Collective Bargaining
   • EEO
   • Industrial Relations
   • Labor Law
   • Dispute Resolution
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Federal Laws
   • Contract Negotiations
   • Litigation
   • Labor Relations Issues
   • Contract Interpretation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage employee files, grievances, and update HRIS database daily.
   • Manage contract negotiations, contract administration, dispute resolution, settlement agreements, grievance handling, and grievance preparations for arbitration.
   • Investigate all employee complaints including harassment and EEO violations.
   • Document investigations for grievance/arbitration cases, ADA and EEO complaints.
   • Identify and develop new member leaders for SEIU - UHW.
   • Investigate requests for FMLA and medical leaves of absence, research various historical data trends.

   More labour relations representative duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your labour relations representative job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A labour relations representative can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, labour relations representatives' average salary in florida is 53% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level labour relations representatives 58% less than senior-level labour relations representatives.
   • Certifications. A labour relations representative with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a labour relations representative's salary.

   Average labour relations representative salary

   $67,214yearly

   $32.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level labour relations representative salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average labour relations representative salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$85,862	$41
   2	California	$83,750	$40
   3	Rhode Island	$79,843	$38
   4	Washington	$76,355	$37
   5	New York	$73,096	$35
   6	Arizona	$73,005	$35
   7	Michigan	$72,931	$35
   8	Massachusetts	$68,916	$33
   9	Pennsylvania	$68,031	$33
   10	Illinois	$66,454	$32
   11	Indiana	$61,549	$30
   12	Ohio	$61,475	$30
   13	North Dakota	$60,510	$29
   14	Arkansas	$59,378	$29
   15	North Carolina	$57,732	$28
   16	Texas	$54,868	$26
   17	Oklahoma	$54,076	$26
   18	South Carolina	$47,565	$23
   19	Wisconsin	$44,794	$22
   20	Florida	$42,933	$21

   Average labour relations representative salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	DuPont	$88,625	$42.61
   2	Ford Motor	$85,704	$41.20	7
   3	The Walt Disney Company	$82,996	$39.90	11
   4	University of California	$82,782	$39.80	11
   5	EmblemHealth	$82,647	$39.73	3
   6	United States Steel	$82,031	$39.44	2
   7	Owens Corning	$80,134	$38.53	1
   8	University of California-Berkeley	$77,940	$37.47
   9	Tyson Foods	$76,164	$36.62	39
   10	ArcelorMittal	$74,816	$35.97
   11	City of Seattle	$73,822	$35.49	3
   12	Unison Comfort	$71,253	$34.26
   13	Master Lock	$70,113	$33.71
   14	Caterpillar	$69,751	$33.53	1
   15	California School Employees Association	$67,919	$32.65	8
   16	American Axle & Manufacturing	$67,844	$32.62	1
   17	Navarro Research and Engineering	$66,735	$32.08
   18	CNH Industrial	$66,609	$32.02
   19	GreenSlate	$66,609	$32.02	1
   20	Con Edison Development	$66,590	$32.01

4. Writing a labour relations representative job description

   A job description for a labour relations representative role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a labour relations representative job description:

   Labour relations representative job description example

   The Labor Relations Representative uses labor relations concepts and skills as a seasoned experienced professional with a comprehensive understanding of labor/union issues. Resolves complex issues. Normally receives little instruction on day-to-day work. General instructions may be provided on new assignments and initiatives.
   Department Description
   
   The LABOR AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS UNIT has responsibility for providing advice and consultation to managers, supervisors and employees in the area of labor and employee relations, including matters related to: performance management; corrective action and/or discipline; contract and policy interpretation and compliance; compliance with local, state and federal employment and labor laws; principles of sound personnel management; negotiating local binding agreements and participating in systemwide negotiations; and the grievance and complaint resolution procedures.
   
   Required Qualifications
   
   •Bachelor's degree in related area and minimum 4 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
   •Possesses strong analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   •Demonstrates thorough knowledge of organizational policies and procedures
   •Knowledgeable regarding labor/employment law and the principles and techniques of labor negotiations
   •Has knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and court decisions regarding employment related matters. Able to apply effective bargaining strategies in order to ensure successful outcome for all parties
   •Thorough knowledge of other areas in human resources
   •Demonstrates the strong skills necessary to bargain and represent the university's interests effectively
   •In-depth knowledge of the principles of advocacy in order to represent the organization in various dispute forums
   •Position may require specialized knowledge within labor relations field
   •Demonstrated ability to handle very difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively
   
   About UCSF
   
   The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
   
   Pride Values
   
   UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
   
   In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce.We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care.Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu
   
   Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity
   
   The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find labour relations representatives for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your labour relations representative job on Zippia to find and recruit labour relations representative candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit labour relations representatives, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new labour relations representative

   Once you have selected a candidate for the labour relations representative position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new labour relations representative. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a labour relations representative?