An Australian bus operator has stunned his employees by handing
out Aus$15 million (US$15.9 million) in thank you bonuses, with workers
saying Wednesday they were overwhelmed by his generosity. Ken Grenda, 79,
sold his family-run company after 66 years and decided to put a chunk of the profits into the
pockets of his employees for their hard work and loyalty. Many of his 1,800
workers thought their banks had made an error when they discovered thousands
of dollars in their accounts, the Herald Sun reported. They received an
average $8,500 although some got bonuses as high as $100,000.
"A business is only as good as
its people, and our people are fantastic," Grenda said. "This is to
recognise that. We have had people here who are second generation and one
fellow in the same job for 52 years."
Vernon Franklin, a driver at the
company for five years after moving to Melbourne from India, said he was blown away by the gesture. "I was overwhelmed
with the generosity of Mr Grenda," he told Channel Nine.
"I think we are losing a great
man." Iain Beberidge, who has worked with the Melbourne-based company
for 15 years, said the appreciation the employees felt was not all about the
money. "Ken looked after his employees, he treated them like
family," he said. "Every time he comes past the depot, he shakes everyone's hands,
and says 'g'day'."
The company has been bought by another
transport operator, Ventura, with all staff reportedly keeping their jobs.
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VOCABULARY
1.
Stunned (v) - to surprise or upset someone so much that
they do not react immediately
2.
Chunk (n) - a large part or
amount of something: Ex: My apartment rent takes a large chunk out of salary.
3.
Blown away (v) - to make someone
feel very surprised, especially about something they like or admire: Ex: It
just blows me away, everyone's so friendly here.
4.
Gesture (n) - something that you
say or do, often something small, to show how you feel about someone or
something
5.
Depot (n) - a place where
buses etc are kept and repaired
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Do you also receive bonus?
When?
2. Why is bonus
important?
3. If you are the boss,
how much would you give?
4. Describe your boss.
5. What is an ideal
boss for you?
