Goldman Sachs(GS) New York Post·2025-01-27 23:06Compensation and Bonuses - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon received a 80 million golden handcuffs bonus if he remains with the company for another five years [3] - The bank's chief operating officer John Waldron was also awarded a five-year 135,000 bonus on top of a 950,000 salary [10] Employee Sentiment and Protests - Employees at Goldman Sachs are frustrated and angry over the disparity between executive compensation and their own payouts [5] - Some staffers clocked out early on January 16 to protest the skimpy payouts, with anger reaching a boiling point before Solomon's compensation was disclosed [4] - The backlash over bonuses spilled over onto the Wall Street Oasis forum, where employees vented their frustrations [7] - One equities trader described Goldman as a "cult" that strings employees along with promises of promotions or money [3] Financial Performance - Goldman Sachs posted its best earnings in three years, with profits soaring 67% to 39 million last year and received a $50 million retention bonus in 2021 [4] - Wall Street bonuses were forecast to increase by 7.4% overall, according to a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli [11] - Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo noted that Goldman Sachs is a best-in-class global investment bank and a microcosm of the industry, where some employees are paid and promoted while others earn and churn [12] Employee Lifestyle and Culture - Goldman Sachs employees typically work 80-hour weeks and are rewarded with performance-related bonuses [10] - Despite the discontent over bonuses, some employees celebrated with champagne purchases at a popular wine store near the Goldman Sachs headquarters [13] - The Spaniard, a popular bar near Goldman Sachs, saw an increase in patrons as some bankers drowned their sorrows over their annual payouts [14]