Spirit of 2020: Check out the view from world's most famous HR department

The year 2020 has been rough on everyone, and HR departments around the globe have been working tirelessly to take care of their employees and employers. One HR manager in particular—I've written about her a few times over the years—is relieved not to have to deal with her company's holiday party, and I quote: "That's IT's problem this year." Instead of focusing on holiday parties, I have obtained an exclusive interview with a member of an HR department located a fair piece north of here. She has asked to remain unidentified.

Conversation with North Pole HR

Interviewer: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Your employer runs a big operation here at the North Pole. How many employees do you have?

HR: Well, I'm pleased to be able to talk to you. We have around 100,000 employees. We are the biggest employer in the region. We still have a lot in common with your readership because we follow U.S. laws.

Interviewer: Your workforce famously became unionized in 2004 after an elf's lament led to an organized movement. How have your relations with the union been this year?

HR: We've worked closely with our union this year as we've had to address and anticipate problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed protocols for reporting symptoms as well as for returning to work at the end of quarantine. We clarified how our various leave policies—such as paid time off and sick leave—could be used.