"I opened the envelope, saw the number and blinked several times because I thought I did not see right, then I just celebrated," says Melissa Alleman to the US television channel ABC for a moment at this year's Christmas party, which is her and her 197 colleagues will probably be remembered for a long time: Her boss distributed bonuses totaling ten million dollars (almost nine million euros).
Each employee of the Baltimore property company received a red envelope with an individual amount that was based on their years of service. A mechanic who has been working for the company for 39 years has been able to enjoy over $ 270,000. After all, $ 100 went to a co-worker who did not have his first day of work until Monday after the party.
An investment in employees - and in PR
"I do not have the words to describe how I felt, it was just great and unbelievable," another employee told CNN. "I'm still in shock, it definitely changes my life."
Company boss Lawrence Maykrantz told the broadcaster that the company had achieved a major goal they had been working on for nearly 15 years: a real estate portfolio that spans 40 million square feet (about 3.7 million square feet). For this, company founder Edward St. John wanted to thank the employees.
"It was really one of the greatest moments I've ever had in my life, and everyone was overwhelmed with emotion, screaming, crying, laughing, hugging each other," says Maykrantz. The staff had queued up to hug him and the company founder and tell them what they wanted to spend the money on.
"That was the best use for the ten million dollars," Maykrantz cheered. "An investment in our employees." And in the reputation of the company St. Johns Properties. The campaign is currently being reported worldwide.
