Andi Owen, CEO of MillerKnoll, received $5 million in compensation in 2022, $3.9 million in a performance bonus that came on top of Owen’s $1.1 million in fixed salary. For company workers expressing concern about getting their own bonuses, her response, which has since gone viral, was to leave "pity city."  

During a company-wide Zoom call, one worker posed a question about a bonus. "How can we stay motivated if we're not going to get a bonus," the worker asked "…What can we do? What can we do?"

Owen's "motivational" response started by pointing to the challenges incurred by COVID, supply chain issues, and bank failures, and the need to provide the best customer service possible. The response went viral, however, when she chastised her workers for asking about bonuses. 

In the video, Owen tells workers: "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 you're going to do if you don't get a bonus. Alright? Can I get some commitment for that? I would appreciate that.  ... 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."

Here's is the video, posted by Youtuber Darren Debski, among other outlets.

Woodworking Network has reached out to MillerKnoll for a statement on Ms. Owen's comments.