Hilcorp Energy gives $100,000 bonus to all 1,381 employees

Hilcorp Energy, one of the largest privately held oil and natural gas exploration companies in the United States announced that it would give all 1,381 employees a year-end bonus of $100,000 after what the company called a positive year in growth.

Jeffery Hildebrand, the 56-year-old billionaire owner, will pay out more than $100 million in total and reportedly uses these bonuses to motivate his workforce. Forbes reported that five years ago, the Hilcorp gave its employees two options for a bonus: $50,000 towards a car or $35,000 in cash.

This year, the Houston-based company doubled its output again to more than 150,000 barrels each day and, Forbes reported, the bonus was doubled.

"It's just a true gift," Amanda Thompson, a receptionist at the company for 10 years, told Fox 4 News. "Somedays I just kind of look down the hall and say I can't believe these are my bosses, and they’re the best."

Thompson told Fox 4 News some of her employees are using the bonus to retire early, remodel homes , take vacations, and pay for their children's college, she just takes comfort knowing it’s in her bank account for a rainy day.

Hilcorp was named on the 2015 'Fortune 100 'Best Companies to Work For' list for the third year in a row.