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How exposed to AI is a Labor Relations Specialist?

Of the 28 tasks O*NET lists for labor relations specialists, 4 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 6 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Business AgentBusiness RepresentativeGrievance ManagerLabor Relations SpecialistLabor Specialist
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
28
tasks rated for this occupation
67%
hold a degree, from a survey of 21
64k
people do this job in the US
30 of 48
least protected in business and finance
What the split says

Fourteen per cent reachable today, and the four tasks that qualify are all preparation: monitoring satisfaction, scheduling grievance hearings, filing statutory returns, drafting health and safety policy.

Everything that makes this job what it is falls outside. Monitoring adherence to an agreement, meeting the union, investigating a complaint to judge whether it holds, approving disciplinary action, giving evidence in a legal proceeding. This is the most consistently protected work in the People profession and the reason is plain: almost none of it can be done without being in the room.

Worth saying clearly because roles like this attract the most anxious commentary. On this evidence the substance of labour relations work is among the least reachable in the economy, and what an AI takes off you is the paperwork around the hearing rather than the hearing.

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

4
  • Develop methods to monitor employee satisfaction with policies or working conditions, including grievance or complaint procedures
  • Schedule or coordinate the details of grievance hearings or other meetings
  • Prepare and submit required governmental reports or forms related to labor relations matters, such as equal employment opportunity (EEO) forms, new hire forms, or minority compensation reports
  • Develop employee health and safety policies

Only with software built on top

18
  • Negotiate collective bargaining 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
  • 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
  • Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives
  • Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify
  • Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations
  • Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences
  • Assess risk levels associated with collective bargaining strategies
  • Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures
  • Select mediators or arbitrators for labor disputes or contract negotiations
  • Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment
  • Draft rules or regulations to govern collective bargaining activities in collaboration with company, government, or employee representatives
  • Identify alternatives to proposals of unions, employees, companies, or government agencies
  • Research case law or outcomes of previous case hearings
  • Prepare reports or presentations to communicate employee satisfaction or related data to management

Cannot be sped up

6
  • Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements
  • Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances
  • Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability
  • Review and approve employee disciplinary actions, such as written reprimands, suspensions, or terminations
  • Train managers or supervisors on topics related to labor relations, such as working conditions, safety, or equal opportunity practices
  • Provide expert testimony in legal proceedings related to labor relations or labor contracts
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.