Labour Relations Officer

OFO No:

What is a Labour Relations Officer?

Labour Relations Officers may work for government or for private companies.

A Labour Relations Officer’s main job is to guarantee that both managers and employees are satisfied.

A Labour Relations Officer must keep up to date with all labour and wage laws. They must also keep up to date with company policies that relate to employees, for example contracts, wages, working conditions etc.

Some Labour Relation Officers must represent the company in labour/union disputes, for example, if the employees go on strike etc.

What does  Labour Relations Officer do?

• keeps up to date with labour and wage legislation
• reads and keeps up to date with company employment / employee policies
• attends meetings
• observes workers and writes reports
• listens intently to both sides of a dispute
• reacts fairly and without bias (does not make one side their favourite)
• assists with matters relating to employment, retrenchment, disciplinary hearings
• assists with matters relating to appeal hearings at the CCMA
• gets involved in the co-ordination of settlements and negotiations when strikes occur
• prepares lots of paperwork relating to issues at hand

Are you . . . ?

• a person who can remain objective in an argument or dispute?
• logical?
• understanding?
• a good communicator?
• dedicated?
• fair and reasonable?
• able to remain calm under pressure?
• a good listener?
• organised?

How do I become a Labour Relations Officer?

You will need a qualification.

A Bachelors degree from a recognised university in one of the following will be advantageous:

• Business Administration
• Labour Relations
• Human Resources (HR)

Once you have collected enough work experience and skills in this area, you may consider doing a post graduate degree in a specialised field. Work experience as a union representative will always be beneficial.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Job Development Specialist or Recruitment Agent

Is becoming Labour Relations Officer the right career choice for me?