Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Industrial Relations Officer- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Working Life
Devising, researching and overseeing the implementation of strategies to maintain and improve membership density
Leading plans to engage and to animate members in relation to issues of concern to them
Developing initiatives to mediate employee & employer relations in a representative capacity in workplaces
Providing leadership, mentoring and guidance to the wider organising team and other colleagues
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
- Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations.
- Write letters related to labor relations activities, such as letters to amend collective bargaining agreements, letters of dispute or conciliation, or letters to seek clarification of contract terms.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Assess the impact of union proposals on company or government operations.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives.
Qualities - Industrial Relations Officer
To be an Employee Relations officer, you must have excellent communication skills.
You must have strong listening skills, and the ability to appreciate other people's points of view.
You need to be able to handle difficult situations sensitively, and gain the trust and respect of both parties.
You will encounter challenging situations, so you must patient and able to stay calm under pressure. It is important to remain fair and objective when dealing with disputes, although you also need to be firm if someone's demands are seen as unreasonable.
Strong negotiating and mediating skills are essential. Industrial relations officers need tact and diplomacy, and must be approachable.
You need a thorough, methodical and analytical approach to solving problems. You must be capable of leading discussions, and focusing on the key elements of a problem.
A respect for confidentiality is essential, as you will be dealing with sensitive and confidential issues.
Interests - Industrial Relations Officer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Industrial Relations Officer
Persons who wish to become Employee Relations Officers may take a degree course in human resource management. In several of the bachelor of commerce and bachelor of business studies degree courses, human resource management is an option.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business studies, HR management, admin, advanced.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: business studies, HR management, admin, advanced.
Search for PLC Courses
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business, human resource management, industrial relations, commerce with HR components.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: business, human resource management, human resource management, human resources.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
IBEC CPD training IBEC Training & Industrial Relations
Skillnet Professional Networks CPD
Workplace relations: facilitated training & mediation.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Industrial Relations Officer
Salary Range (thousands per year)* 40k - 95k
Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.
Data Source(s):
Sigmar / CPL / Lincoln/ Morgan McKinley
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Industrial Relations Officer
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Estimators; valuers and assessors; Importers and exporters; Financial and accounting technicians; Business and related associate professionals; n.e.c. Legal associate professionals.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The five-year annual average growth rate for this occupation was significantly above average, with strong growth observed between 2020 and 2021; employment grew by approximately 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Employment was spread across all sectors of the economy, with the largest share, at just over a fifth, for professional activities. Employment permits, primarily in the ICT sector, spanned a number of roles, including data analysts, account strategists and logistics specialists.
While the number of online job adverts (OVATE) remained almost unchanged in 2022 for this occupational group, there was a 6% increase in adverts for financial and accounting technicians (although the numbers involved are small).
Employers (Skills for Growth & Spotlight on Skills) have signalled difficulties in recruiting data analysts. Furthermore, data analysis skills were required in other difficult-to-fill job roles such as engineers, software developers, and lab analysts. Demand for data analytics skills is evident; however, rather than existing only as standalone roles, these skills are increasingly embedded in other occupations.
Useful Contacts - Industrial Relations Officer
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Irish Business & Employers Confederation (IBEC)
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Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
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SIPTU (Services, Industrial, Professional, Technical Union)
- Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
- (01) 858 6300
- Click Here
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Public Appointments Service
- Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
- (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME)