Thinking about making the move from HR to Labor Relations? The good news is that many HR professionals already have a strong foundation through involvement in employee relations, discipline, investigations, and policy interpretation.
One of the biggest differences is understanding the legal and contractual framework unique to labor relations. Start building your labor knowledge by:
- Understanding the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA) - especially for airlines and railroads.
- Building contract administration experience
- Seeking specialized training and professional development
- Learning about Unfair Labor Practices
- Gaining exposure to unionized environments
- Participating in negotiations sessions as an observer or notetaker
- Observing grievance hearings and/or arbitrations
- Developing strong investigative and analytical skills