'Leave Pity City': Leaked video of CEO's comments on employee bonus goes viral

The CEO of global office furniture company MillerKnoll has apologized after her comments on employee bonuses triggered a backlash, according to reports. A video clip shared on Twitter where CEO Andi Owen apparently responding to a question about bonuses has been viewed on Twitter more than 9 million times.

"Spend your time and your effort thinking about the $26 million we need and not thinking about what you're going do if we don't get a bonus, alright? Can I get some commitment for that?" Owen said. It is not clear what the $26 million number she is referring to but it could be some sales goal.

She continued: "I had an old boss who said to me, 'You can visit Pity City, but you can't live there.' So people, leave Pity City. Let's get it done. Have a great day."


Twitter reactions were mostly negative. "CEOs should have to cancel they own bonus completely before they are allowed to touch employ bonuses," one user posted.

After her remarks went viral, Owen emailed an apology to workers, reported MLive.com. “I want to be transparent and empathetic, and as I continue to reflect on this instance, I feel terrible that my rallying cry seemed insensitive,” she said. “What I’d hoped would energize the team to meet a challenge we’ve met many times before landed in a way that I did not intend and for that I am sorry.”


Andi Owen was instrumental in architecting the deal that brought Herman Miller and Knoll together to create MillerKnoll. MillerKnoll brand portfolio includes Herman Miller, Knoll, Colebrook Bosson Saunders, DatesWeiser, Design Within Reach, Edelman Leather, Geiger, HAY, Holly Hunt, KnollTextiles, Maars Living Walls, Maharam, Muuto, NaughtOne, and Spinneybeck|FilzFelt.

Fox Business, citing MillerKnoll's filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission, said that Owen made more than $4.9 million in total compensation, in the fiscal year ending May 28, 2022, which included a $1.29 million performance-based bonus.