Describe the three strategic roles of an HR manager. What are the major challenges for an HR manager in each role with regard to labor relations?

Human resource managers can be seen as having three roles: builder, change partner, and navigator. The builder assembles the basic components of an organization's HR function, coordinating staffing, compensation and other functions of HR. The major challenge for the builder is to create processes for negotiating and administering contracts that fit with the other organizational needs. In other words, to construct labor relations processes within the organization that can address day-to-day issues such as grievances, disciplinary actions, and the like. The change partner reshapes the HR function in response to organizational or environmental changes. The challenge facing the change partner is to shape labor-management relations in a way that will promote competitiveness in a global economy, allow flexibility in response to change, and maintain a healthy relationship between the employer and its employees. The navigator must continuously develop organizational competencies and performance by balancing the internal pressures faced by the builder and the external pressures faced by the change partner. The navigator is challenged with maintaining respect for union and employee needs while at the same time promoting competitiveness and creating flexibility.