What role should HR take after a strike has ended?

Human resources professionals can play a key role in coordinating post-strike procedures and transition. Human resources can prepare return-to-work deals, resolve amnesty issues, and handle other considerations related to returning workers. Moreover, HR must take a proactive stance on resolving employee relations concerns between striking workers and their nonstriking colleagues, developing programs and strategies to rebuild trust and teamwork. In addition, some turnover will be inevitable following a strike.

Human resources therefore will play a critical role in managing turnover, including performance management, conducting exit interviews, setting severance policies, anticipating costs of turnover and hiring, and shoring up orientation and retention strategies as well. While management and employees alike may breathe a collective sigh of relief upon the conclusion of a strike, in many ways, the HR professional's task of restoring organizational health will be just beginning.