How do you become an Employee Relations Specialist?

Career advice

October 21, 2024

Employee relations specialists play a crucial role in creating and nurturing a positive work environment. As well as developing and implanting employee engagement strategies, they manage conflict, ensure compliance with employment law and ensure that there is clear communication between the company and its employees.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in as an employee relations specialist, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to become one.

What is an Employee Relations Specialist?

An employee relations specialist is a professional who focuses on maintaining and improving the relationship between an organisation and its employees. Their responsibilities often include:

Addressing employee grievances and resolving conflicts.
Ensuring compliance with employment laws and company policies.
Developing and implementing employee engagement strategies.
Advising management on workplace policies and procedures.
Conducting investigations into employee complaints or issues.
Facilitating communication between employees and management to enhance employee relationships with the business.

This role is vital in creating a harmonious workplace where employees feel valued and supported, ultimately leading to higher job satisfaction, productivity and employee retention.

What skills do you need?

To be successful as an employee relations specialist, you’ll need a diverse set of skills:

Communication skills: You must be an excellent communicator, both written and verbal, as you’ll need to mediate conflicts, explain policies and facilitate discussions between employees and management. Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills are key.
Problem-solving skills: Employee relations specialists are often asked to resolve disputes and find solutions to complex issues, so you’ll need a creative problem-solving mindset.
Empathy and emotional intelligence: Understanding and addressing employees’ concerns requires a high degree of empathy and the ability to navigate sensitive situations with tact.
Negotiation skills: You’ll need to mediate between conflicting parties and find solutions that are acceptable to all involved, which requires strong negotiation abilities.
Analytical skills: The ability to analyse data and understand trends in employee behaviour is really important when you’re developing employee relations strategies.
Knowledge of employment law: A thorough understanding of employment law is essential to ensure that the company complies with regulations and that employee rights are protected.

What are the career paths to becoming an employee relations specialist?

Experience is key in employee relations, as the role involves dealing with complex and often sensitive issues. A common career path that we see is people transitioning from a generalist HR role into an employee relations role. But it’s not just people from a human resources management background that enter this specialist area. We also see legal professionals transition into this role, as they have a strong understanding of employment law. This is something we often work with our sister brand, legal search and recruitment firm Taylor Root, on.

Here’s how you can build the necessary experience:

HR Generalist Roles: Starting as an HR generalist, such as an HR Manager or HR Business Partner, is a common path. This role provides a broad understanding of HR functions, including employee relations, recruitment and benefits administration.
Specialist roles: Gaining experience in roles focused on employee relations, employee relations or conflict resolution will give you a deeper understanding of the specific challenges in this area. There are many HR specialist roles that offer this experience.
Legal roles: many employment law professionals make the move to an employee relations role, given their thorough understanding of employment law. Often these professionals want to add variety into their career by using their legal knowledge alongside the softer skills required of the role.
Internships and Entry-Level Positions: For those just starting out, internships or entry-level positions in HR departments can provide valuable hands-on experience.
On-the-Job Training: Many organizations offer training programs that allow HR professionals to specialize in employee relations, giving them the practical experience needed to handle complex employee issues.

Do you need any certifications?

Despite what you might read, you don’t need any formal education such as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or certification in human resources to become an employee relations specialist. Your work experience and skill set are far more important. You could also consider mentorship from someone currently in an employee relations role.

What is the average salary for an employee relations specialist?

Much like any profession, salaries vary depending on location, sector and level of experience. Many employee relations specialists also receive performance bonuses, which can add a significant amount to their overall compensation.

If you’d like to find out more about salaries, you can find our salary guides here.

What is the career path once I become an employee relations specialist?

With a few years of experience, you can advance to a Senior Employee Relations Specialist or Employee Relations Manager role. In these positions, you’ll take on more complex employee relations issues, oversee an HR team and play a larger role in developing and implementing employee relations strategies. This is an exciting step where you begin to influence company-wide policies and contribute to creating a positive work environment on a larger scale.

After gaining more experience, the next step is often to become an Employee Relations Director. At this level, you’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the employee relations function, managing high-level investigations and aligning employee relations initiatives with the organisation’s overall goals. This role requires a deep understanding of employment laws, excellent leadership skills and the ability to navigate sensitive and high-stakes situations.

For those who continue to advance, positions like Vice President of Employee Relations or Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) can be next. These senior roles involve overseeing the entire HR function, including employee relations and making strategic decisions that impact the organisation as a whole.

How to find a job in employee relations?

At Frazer Jones, we’re connected to thousands of companies across the world, many of which will be looking to hire an employee relations specialist. The first step to finding a job would be to speak to one of our specialist consultants.

Here are some steps to help you find a job in employee relations:

Networking: Connect with HR professionals through LinkedIn, industry events and professional organisations. Networking can lead to job opportunities and provide insights into the field.
Job Boards: Search for employee relations roles on job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Use specific keywords like “Employee Relations Specialist,” “Employee Relations Manager,” or “Labor Relations Specialist” to narrow your search. Have a look at our job board for the latest roles we’re working on or contact one of our consultants to discuss (not all of the jobs we are working on are listed).
Specialist recruitment agencies: Consider working with recruitment agencies that specialise in HR roles, like Frazer Jones. We’ve got established relationships with companies of all sizes and in all sectors, globally. We’ll listen to what you’re looking for to help you choose the right job for you.

Here’s what else to consider

Continuing education: employee relations is constantly evolving, particularly in response to changes in employment law, workplace trends and employee expectations. Continuing education, whether through formal courses or staying up-to-date with HR literature, is important for long-term success.
Specialisation: As you gain experience, you may choose to specialise further in areas like workforce relations, compliance or workplace investigations. This can enhance your career prospects and allow you to take on more complex roles.
Career advancement: With experience, employee relations specialists can advance to higher positions such as Employee Relations Manager, Director of Employee Relations or even Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).
Soft skills development: While technical knowledge is essential, don’t overlook the importance of soft skills such as empathy, patience and active listening, which are critical in managing employee relations effectively.

Conclusion

Becoming an employee relations specialist involves a combination of the skill set and experience. By following these steps and continuously developing your knowledge and abilities, you can build a successful career in this rewarding field.

Whether you’re starting out or looking to specialise further, the role of an employee relations specialist offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on both employees’ working lives and the overall success of an organisation.

If you’re interested in a career in employee relations, you can view our latest jobs here. Equally, if you are looking to hire an employee relations specialist, please contact us using the form below and we will get back to you shortly.