Understanding Labor Relations Careers

Understanding Labor Relations CareersUnderstanding Labor Relations CareersBecoming labor relations(or industrial relations) professional might be a fitting career if you possess the necessary soft skills. These skills include a professional demeanor, collaborative work style, respect for diverse populations, and exceptional interpersonal communication skills. Labor relations staff members deal alfruchtwein exclusively with unionized workplaces. Labor Relations and Unions As a specialized role in the field of philanthropisch resources, labor relations employees are vital for preparing information for management to utilize during the collective bargaining process. Using their vast knowledge about economics, wage data, labor law, and collective bargaining trends, labor relations professionals interpret and administer employees contracts with respect to grievances, wages or salaries, employee welfare, healthcare benefits, pensions, union practices, and other stipulations. Labor relat ions managers often implement industrial labor relations programs to oversee compliance with the unions negotiated contract, and directors take on additional labor relations tasks. Because more and more companies are seeking to avoid litigation or strikes, specialists in this field of human resources are essential for serving as a liaison to resolve disputes between employees and management. Duties of the Director of Labor Relations Developing and implementing labor policy is only a part of the responsibilities a labor relations professional handles. They may also oversee the management of industrial labor relations and, in smaller companies, handling industrial labor relations. At times they will be required to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with the union. The professional will manage grievance procedures to handle complaints resulting from disputes with unionized employees over the collective bargaining agreement, work rules, and the interpretation of work contrac ts. They will work as an advisor to human resources staff members and other managers of unionized employees to ensure compliance with the contract. The labor relations professional will regularly consult with human resources, department managers, and senior staff to get input into aspects of personnel policy, wages, benefits, pensions, work rules, and practices. These are all items that may be negotiated when developing a new or revised union contract. Understanding the Law and Economy Are Key Labor relations managers and their staffs implement industrial labor relations programs and oversee compliance with the union-negotiated contract. When a collective bargaining agreement is up for negotiation, labor relations staff prepare information and make recommendations for management to use during union negotiations. This requires labor relations staff to be fully up to speed when it comes to being informed about the state of the economy and market-rate pay. Staff must be familiar wi th current trends in collective bargaining agreements and competitive benefits and work rules. They also need to have extensive knowledge of labor laws and approaches to take for resolution. Those working in labor relations need a broad skillset and depth of capability. The labor relations staff is also tasked with researching, developing, interpreting, and administering the union contract regarding wages, benefits, employee working conditions, health care, pensions, union and management practices, grievances, and other contractual provisions. Career Prospects in Labor Relations Union membership is declining in most industries and state governments are going after collective bargaining agreements of public-sector labor forces because of the cost and unwieldiness of the agreements. Labor relations professionals may see more limited employment opportunities in the future as a result of these trends. If youre thinking about going into this field, consider obtaining a more broadly b ased college degree (and experience) than labor relations. For instance, consider majoring in human resources, which has numerous career options. Courses in business, management, and psychology are also viable options. You will find you will have far more career choices if you dont narrow-focus yourself.

Does it matter where you go to college 6 women weigh in

Does it matter where you go to college 6 women weigh inDoes it matter where you go to college 6 women weigh inImagine that you just graduated from college. As a post-graduate, youre probably banking on the leverage of your four year degree to help you land yourfirst full-time job. Does it matter where you go to college to get that degree?Then, lets flash forward five years into the future. What you talked about as a post-grad - like your first few internships and grade point average - isnt necessarily relevant as you become established in your field. Does the school you attended as an undergrad also count as something to reflect on less? We asked several professional women Does it matter where you go to college? This is what they said.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreYes, you never lose that built-innetwork.At 28 years old, Sabrina Atienza is the CEO of AI tech startup Valued i n Silicon Valley. She graduated from University of California - Berkeley where she majored in Computer Science with a minor in Physics.Being a graduate from a credible Bay Area school has had a hugely positive impact on her career, because so many of her fellow alums stay in Silicon Valley after they graduate. She said When it comes to fundraising,networking, and hiring, Im often meeting fellow alums and leveraging my college network.Not really, skill sets are what carry you forward.Kelly Palmer, CLO at lifelong learning platform startup Degreed, agrees that the name of a prestigious university carries weight at job interviews. However, it can only take graduates so far. Palmer argues that four years of undergraduate studyanywheremay not necessarily prepare grads immediately for newjobs.What should college graduates do to ensure theyre prepared for job interviews? Rather than ride on your degrees coattails, Palmer says to show how you can be adaptable and learn new skills. Then, ma intain this mindset throughout your career, as Palmer notes the need to keep learning will increase as the years go by, markets change and new skills come into vogue.Kind of, certain industries pay attention to your alma mater (but you should still go to the best school for you).Self-employedattorney and mediator Nance L. Schick startedlaw schoolwhen she welches 29 years old. She earned her J.D. from SUNY University at Buffalo with Certificates in Government Law Education, Tax.However, when Schick started her post-law school job search, she was disappointed to learn that her law school did not have the same leverage as an Ivy League.Graduationfrom an Ivy League school still matters very much, at least in the legal profession, Schick says. If you want a judicial clerkship, Ivy League graduates still get preference. Clerks get preference for judgeships. Judges have more opportunities toretireinto arbitration positions.Schick recently discussed this issue at the Fifth Annual ADR andDiv ersitySymposium. She voiced concern that focusing on hiring students privileged enough to attend Ivy League universities might have a disparate impact. Students that choose to attend a regional law school may not realize that the choice - which could be based on any number of reasons from finances to simply enjoying the schools environment - may decrease their employment opportunities after graduation.To that end, Schick is hopeful that this hiring narrative will shift over time. For now, she recommends that students go to the best school they can afford - because that education is still what matters.Yes, it gives you options.Erin Goodnow believes in the power of career options. Goodnow is the Founder and CEO of Going Ivy, a college admissionsconsultinggroup. Going Ivy helps students write their own admission ticket to their dream schools. In turn, this gives them the keys to their professional destiny.Where you go to college, according to Goodnow, helps open up doors to networki ng and impresses executive search committees. The one thing it gives you more of beyond your first post-grad job? Options.If youre happy in your job and plan on staying with a company for 50 years, where you went to college wont matter as much after a while, Goodnow explained. But if you want options to move companies and careers, where you went to school can open those options. Alumni networks are powerful at certain schools, as is name recognition and a higher ranking.What should I do next to decide on my college?I wrote this article because the question struck a nerve with me. I received an undergraduate degree from the University of California - Irvine, and earned a J.D. from Pepperdine University. As a post-law school student, myfirst jobwas at a Los Angeles-based law firm. I would later become abusiness ownerandentrepreneur, careers I never dreamed I would end up in.I believe in what each woman I interviewed had to say about the influence of college in the working world. I ma y not be where I am today without the networking opportunities, options and skill sets that I received at my alma mater. I also believe that life may take you off your route. Other passions you didnt expect to have - like a love for coding or a green thumb that allows you to start a nursery business - might show up later. Guess what? You may find you want to pursue them instead of where you thought youd wind up.Your life plan may be redirected into all sorts of directions you couldnt imagine. Be prepared to expect the unexpected, make yourself open to learning and make aconfidentleap forward.This article originally appeared on Fairygodboss.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

3 Areas Where Your Communication Skills Matter the Most

3 Areas Where Your Communication Skills Matter the Most 3 Areas Where Your Communication Skills Matter the Most One story I tell in my workshops is about how a former customer of mine improved communications between two warring departments. He told me that these groups were almost literally at war with each other and just couldnt play well together.He further explained that he would call members of the groups together and make them talk to each other.I also observed their body language and facial expressions, he said. If I noticed hostility, Id mention it and tell them I could see their hostility. Did I make them kiss and make up? No. But it almost got to that point.This story illustrates how communication is crucial in a work environment. Its also crucial while youre in school and during your job search. Basically, youre always on.If you havent given thought to your communications, you should consider the following three areas where its essential to your success.At SchoolUniversit y is the beginning of the rest of your life, as the clich goes. Therefore, its important that you strengthen your verbal and written communication skills. And you dont have to major in communications to do this.Your Verbal CommunicationsTake advantage of any opportunities you have to present in front of a group. As scary as it may seem, you will be better prepared for the workforce. Try to ignore your fear and think aboutthis as a challenge instead.Youre not only communicating with your mouth, though youre also communicating with your body language, facial expressions, and voice intonation. The more animated you are (within reason) the better your message will come across. Some believe that effective communications is at least 90 percent or more physical presentation.Your Written CommunicationsWhen you write expository papers for your classes, put your best effort forth. Be concise, butinformative. The working world prefers when ideas presented in writing are as brief as possible.Th is includes emails, proposals, marketing literature, whitepapers, etc. I remember a marketing manager saying to me, Brevity is the key to success. She was right.Youll learn that when you leave college and enter your job search, your success will depend on your marketing campaign. This will include your written and verbal communications. Dont focus on only one form of communication. Practice it all.During the Job SearchNetworking will be a valuable activity duringyour job search, and itrequires excellent communication skills. Its through networking that you canpenetrate the hidden job market, which is a topic in itself. Your goal is to become known to the people who matter.Important forms of communication include your ability to articulate your talents and your goals. Its also important to listen to the people with whom youre networking.Listening is a key component of communications. Ive been to networking events where I felt like a sounding board. Dont do that to others.Once your ne tworking has led you to the decision makers of organizations, its time to put your written communication skills to use. Write resumes (plural) that speak to the needs of employers. Create a strong online presence with your LinkedIn profile.The vorstellungsgesprch will arrive after youve put your efforts into networking and writing strong marketing documents. Its at the interview that youll have to shine via youranswers to the tough questions. Youll have to come across as confident and affable. Youll have to demonstrate your verbal communication skills.Dont forget aboutbody language and facial expressions. Appear relaxed but not too relaxed to the point where youre slumping in your chairsmile when appropriate and maintain eye contact to show youre interested.At WorkCongratulations, you landed a job Now,your communication skills will help you in performing well and progressing through the ranks. Your colleagues and supervisors will expect you to be articulate and clear when presentin g ideas.Company meetings are a great example of how important it is to present clear ideas. Lets say you have to report on the social marketing campaign youre working on. The group of 20people in front of you including the director of the organization want to know the specifics of the project.To your credit, youve come prepared. You walk to the center of the room (dont sit) to deliver your PowerPoint presentation. You flick through each slide, talking about how youll employ Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote the organization.Your body language demonstrates confidence, the tone of your voice is upbeat, you smile, and you communicate effectively with your hands. You notice that the director is smiling and nodding while youre talking.Bringing It All TogetherCommunication constantly ranks high on employers lists of essential skills. Its no secret why, given these three areas where communication matters.How youre graded in school relies on how well you present your projects and how well you write your papers. Your success in the job search depends on your ability to network, write your marketing literature, and acethe interview. Finally, your communication skills will come in handy when you areactually in the workforce, doingyour job.Bob McIntosh, CPRW, is a career trainer who leads more than 15 job search workshops at an urban career center.