By Wynter Fayson
On the tail-end of our trip, we visited Microsoft and had the opportunity to speak with Sonja Mertens, a director of Global Compensation at Microsoft. Upon entering, we were escorted into a conference room and offered drinks by one of the many complimentary fridges located around the headquarters. Upon starting our discussion, our hostess Sonja was very cheerful and had a charming disposition, making meeting in the big conference room feel less like a performance review with Human Resources and more like a friendly office-wide chat around the water cooler.Â
Starting the conversation took us from defining what Human Resources was, and how Microsoft operated the HR department to support its business. Sonja’s official title is Director of Global Compensation, and her position is focused mainly on employee rewards. So not only pay, but government programs such as FMLA, promotions process, pay equity and complete transparency on Microsoft’s end. To drive that final point home, Sonja highlighted Microsoft’s action in publishing a yearly pay report to promote that transparency. And while there is no policy or regulatory body obligating them to make that information accessible or available, their company chooses to do so, believing in both their integrity as a company, and their responsibility to their employees.Â
She ended the discussion by displaying the community aspect at Microsoft. While people there can work from home, and sometimes are even located in different timezones, the relationships formed with one another can make lifelong friendships and connections. After our discussion, Sonja joined us for lunch in one of Microsoft’s many dining halls and conversed with us individually throughout the end of the tour! All in all, 10/10 visit and hostess, and the class really enjoyed our visit!
Comments