In  modern  conditions  of  labour  in  general  and  employment  in  particular  are  undergoing  fundamental changes. The actualization of these processes as a result of the global crisis, uncertainty about the future and the lack of conclusive recipes improve the situation raises the question of compliance practices used to the real challenges facing the world of work. Taken in the analysis of certain aspects of employment and labor relations  it  can  be  concluded  that  while  the  emergency  anti-crisis  measures  for  the  maintenance  of employment in the short term were quite effective, long-term policy is the subject of serious debate. This must be taken into account when specifying national strategies for action on the labor market, the choice of certain objectives and instruments to achieve them in the Russian conditions.