Hand-written letters of appreciation show your employees that they’re valued.

You appreciate your employees, but do they know it? A common reason employees leave employers is because they feel under-valued or unappreciated. Consider writing letters of appreciation to show your team that they’re valued.

Why letters of appreciation are so important

All healthy relationships require nurturing, including professional relationships. Words of recognition, appreciation and praise make people feel valued. And when employees feel valued, engagement increases.

What to include in an employee letter of appreciation

Each letter should be unique. Now is not the time for copy-and-paste. The key to an effective letter of appreciation is personalization.

When writing your note, use the person’s name and specifically identify what you appreciate about them. For example, it could be a team member’s negotiating skills, their ability to build camaraderie, covering for co-worker who was out or the way they handled a sticky situation with a customer.

Acknowledge that the employee’s efforts contribute to the organization’s success, thereby letting them know that they matter. Then, thank them for a job well done.  

Develop a plan for regular letters

If you have a large team, writing letters to all employees at once could be overwhelming. Consider developing a plan. For example, you could write one letter a week. Or, you might write letters on each employees’ work anniversary. However, don’t limit appreciation letters to once a year. Write them any time you notice someone doing a good job.

How to deliver the letters

Typed, handwritten, emailed — the format is less important than the message. However, physical letters of appreciation stand out in a world of digital communication. Consider sending a letter to the employee’s home. The extra effort of mailing the letter will reinforce your message that the recipient is genuinely appreciated.

 Do you have business banking questions? Contact our knowledgeable commercial loan officers online or call 800-991-2221. We’re also available to help in person at your local Consumers office.