[shaubold]

Is it etiquette to write a thank you note to your employer for an annual bonus check?

[deana79]

I believe you should send a 'thank you.' It lets your employer know that you appreciate the gift and are thankful for it.

At my company, most people send the CEO an email thanking him, but it is nice to stand out and send a hand written thank you.

[LisaOlsen]

Hand written thank you notes seem to be a lost art! I agree with Deana. Taking time to send a personal note to the CEO reflects your professionalism as well as gratitute for a bonus (especially during tough economic times). Keep the note short and concise using simple but tasteful note cards. Express your appreciation in a few short lines and sign your full name.

[my3boys1]

Originally Posted by deana79

I believe you should send a 'thank you.' It lets your employer know that you appreciate the gift and are thankful for it.

At my company, most people send the CEO an email thanking him, but it is nice to stand out and send a hand written thank you.

I did not even think of doing this... shame on me. Thanks for your opinion and expertise!

[shaubold]

Thank you. It is nice to have confirmation from the experts. I have been the EA to the President for just over two years and I have always written a note to him for the financial gifts so I will continue to hand write the short and sincere thank you.

[Kateena]

I have a question to tack on to this discussion.

I've grown up in a generation where 'Thank You' notes really are a lost art. Half the people my age don't even know what they are.
Which is a shame really, as I think they should be common good manners.

I'd like to start writing them more often, but am not too sure what the content of a thank you card should actually look like.

Could someone please give an example or two?

Thanks!

[dewoun]

Writing 'thank you' notes is a good practice. My supervisor was just talking to me the other day about how angry she is at someone here who has not written her a thank you for donations she has made. Now this individual is retiring and my supervisor was invited to the party and asked to contribute to a gift. Of course my supervisor said she is not going and will not contribute because of the lack of gratitude this individual has displayed.

So, my suggestion would be to buy a pack of tasteful thank you cards, keep them in your desk, and use them when necessary. The gesture does make a difference!

[nmarasco]

My boss actually keeps every single thank you note that he receives. We have a special 'shelf' on his bookcase where the notes are displayed. It makes a huge difference!

[shaubold]

Originally Posted by Kateena

I have a question to tack on to this discussion.

I've grown up in a generation where 'Thank You' notes really are a lost art. Half the people my age don't even know what they are.
Which is a shame really, as I think they should be common good manners.

I'd like to start writing them more often, but am not too sure what the content of a thank you card should actually look like.

Could someone please give an example or two?

Thanks!

I recently went to my local public library and checked out a book containing sample business letters for every occasion. The book I checked out even had a CD-ROM in the back with all of the letters/templates as Word docs that I downloaded to my computer at work. When the OA templates don't offer me what I am looking for, I go to this set of files and search by subject and then key words. I have used this on many occassions to piece together the right words to say, and I think it would help you know what to write in a thank you note that is courteous and professional.

[Phyllis]

I had a supervisor that felt the need to remind me every year to write a thank you for the Christmas bonus. She behaved as if I had been raised by a pack of wolves. Years later, I still resent her for this.

Writing a thank you note is never inappropriate. Treating your staff like small children is never appropriate.