Maryland real estate company St. John Properties announced to its 198 employees during a holiday party that they would be splitting $10 million in bonuses among themselves.
The average employee got a $50,000 bonus, with the largest bonus being $270,000 and the smallest bonus being $100, which went to an employee that had not even started their job. Video of the announcement shows the shocked expressions and tears from employees as they learned about receiving the money at the Saturday party.
The company handed out the bonus checks in celebration of reaching its goal to develop 20 million square feet of real estate. The company also paid for its out-of-state employees to come to the party.
“We wanted to do something to thank all our employees for helping us achieve our goal, and we wanted to do something big,” St. John Properties President Lawrence Maykrantz told CNN. “It was truly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Everyone was all overwhelmed with emotions. They were screaming, crying, laughing, hugging.”
“When I opened the envelope, I was in total disbelief,” Stephanie Ridgway, an employee with the company, said. “I couldn’t believe I saw what I saw. I don’t even have words to properly describe how I felt, it was just amazing and incredible. I’m still in shock. It’s definitely life changing.”
