At a time when employers are scaling back on pay raises and looking for ways to maximize the impact of their reward programs, one Florida company is making headlines.

For the last four years, Infinite Energy has opted to pay big prize money to a few employees in lieu of paying holiday bonuses to all. Each of the 300+ employees get one entry for every year of service. Executives and others who receive bonuses are not eligible to participate.

This year the grand prize was $50,000. The company also gave out two runner-up prizes of $10,000, four prizes of $5,000 and four $2,500 prizes.

Upon hearing his name called, this year’s winner said, “It’s the best year of my life. I got married. We just bought a house. I love my job. This is an amazing way to end it.”

Now that’s one happy employee. No word from the non-winners.

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