labor relations
/ˈleɪ.bər rɪˈleɪ.ʃənz/
Meaning
Labor relations refers to the ongoing relationship and interactions between a company's management and its workforce, especially when represented by a labor union. It involves collective bargaining, contract negotiations, and dispute resolution. It is a neutral term widely used in HR and business management.
Examples
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The company hired a specialist to improve labor relations after the recent strike threat.
The company hired a specialist to improve labor relations after the recent strike threat.
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Good labor relations are essential for maintaining high workplace productivity.
Good labor relations are essential for maintaining high workplace productivity.
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The HR director has extensive experience in collective bargaining and labor relations.
The HR director has extensive experience in collective bargaining and labor relations.
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Poor labor relations can lead to frequent walkouts and low employee morale.
Poor labor relations can lead to frequent walkouts and low employee morale.
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We are currently reviewing our labor relations policy to ensure fair treatment for all workers.
We are currently reviewing our labor relations policy to ensure fair treatment for all workers.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The factory has very bad labors relations.
✓ The factory has very bad labor relations.
'Labor' acts as a noun adjunct here and must remain singular, even though 'relations' is plural.
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✗ The union is negotiating new laboring relations with the board.
✓ The union is negotiating new labor relations with the board.
The correct collocation is 'labor relations', not 'laboring relations'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The manufacturing plant has historically suffered from tense ___ between management and the union.
💡 The relationship between employers and employees/unions
Show answer
labor relations
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She decided to specialize in ___ to help resolve workplace disputes fairly.
💡 HR field dealing with collective bargaining and union issues
Show answer
labor relations