CEO tells employees to leave "Pity City"

This CEO told her employees to leave “Pity City” when asked about raises during a meeting …

Transcript

00:00Don't ask about what are we going to do if we don't get a bonus.

00:03Get the damn 26 million dollars.

00:05Spend your time and your effort thinking about the 26 million dollars we need

00:09and not thinking about what are you going to do if we don't get a bonus.

00:12All right.

00:14Can I get some commitment for that?

00:16I would appreciate that.

00:17That's what the CEO of an office furniture company told employees

00:21who asked about staying motivated with bonuses during a town hall meeting.

00:24I had an old boss who said to me one time,

00:27you can visit pity city, but you can't live there.

00:30So people leave pity city.

00:32Andy Owen, the CEO of Miller Knoll, is now apologizing for her rant against employees

00:37after it went viral and sparked outrage.

00:39At first, Owen said her comments from the leaked video were taken out of context,

00:44but in the most recent email sent to staffers,

00:46she acknowledged that her tirade seemed insensitive.

00:49Prior to her passionate rant, Owen spoke about treating people with kindness and respect.

00:54Be kind.

00:55Be respectful.

00:56Focus on the future because it will be bright.

00:58Lead by example.

01:00Treat people well.

01:02Talk to them.

01:03Be kind and get after it.

01:04In 2022, Owen reportedly made almost four million dollars in bonuses and incentives.

01:10Let's get it done.

01:12Have a great day.