The Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of Michigan was established in the 1950's in response to the rapid changes taking place in labor relations following World War II. As the world has evolved, the focus of the Institute also has changed to reflect emerging issues facing workers, employers, and policy-makers. Over the years, individual programs at the Institute have addressed issues such as labor market structure, collective bargaining, union leadership development, worker health, diversity in the workplace, low-wage employment and poverty, urban economic development, and the internationalization of economic relations.

With organizational ties to both the School of Business and the School of Social Work, the Institute is engaged in a variety of research and education programs. Although the Institute is not a degree-granting institution, it has been involved in the teaching programs of a number of campus units and its Labor Studies Center regularly offers a range of educational conferences.