ZEELAND, Mich. — The CEO of a West Michigan-based office furniture company is facing backlash after a clip went viral, admonishing employees for worrying about bonuses.
In the clip, MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen takes an employee question about bonuses during what the Wall Street Journal reports was a 75-minute town hall meeting last month on Zoom.
Owen initially tells employees to control what they can control, such as being kind and providing the best customer service possible. But her tone then shifts, appearing to admonish employees for worrying about whether they will receive a bonus.
"Don't ask about, 'What are we going to do if we don't get a bonus?' Get the damn $26 million. Spend your time and your effort thinking about the $26 million we need and not thinking about what are you going to do if we don't get a bonus, alright," Owen said.
She goes on to say in the video, "I had an old boss who said to me one time, 'You can visit Pity City but you can't live there.' So people, leave Pity City, let's get it done."
Many social media users are criticizing Owen's message for being insensitive. The Wall Street Journal reports in the 2022 fiscal year, Owen earned nearly $5 million in total compensation, including a $1.29 million bonus tied to her performance.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to MillerKnoll for comment, and a representative said the clip was taken out of context:
“Last month we held a 75-minute company meeting where we shared business updates, product launches and campaigns. A 90-second clip from that internal meeting loses the context of the broader discussion. Our CEO believes fiercely in the company and what we can do together to finish our financial year strong.
Our bonuses are set by the Company’s full year financial results and our fiscal year closes at the end of May. No bonuses, for anyone at MillerKnoll, have been decided.”
A MillerKnoll spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that Owen had intended to rally employees during the town hall.
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