Staff of a Melbourne bus manufacturing plant received a surprise bonus of up to $38,500 when proceeds from the business’ sale were shared between workers.
The Grenda Corporation split the $19 million from the sale of their transit operations between the company’s 1800 employees, leading many staff to assume their bank had made an error, Fairfax reported.
Ken Grenda, the 79-year-old owner of the business, has since been called “Australia’s best boss” – but says he was merely paying tribute to his staff.
“Our people are fantastic… this is to recognise that,” he says.
“We have grown from just four bus routes… to operating 1300 buses in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. You only get there if you have good people.”
Staff who had been with Grenda for three months or more received anywhere from AUD$1000 to AUD$30,000 before tax. Many have contacted Mr Grenda to thank him for his generosity.
All staff will keep their jobs under the new owners, a Brazilian company.
3 News