This guide will help you give a parting employee the best last impression of the company through a perfect thank you letter!
This guide will help you give a parting employee the best last impression of the company through a perfect thank you letter!
It will always be sad to see an awesome employee go. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use the opportunity to celebrate their time at the company!
One of the best ways to honor hard work and say goodbye is to write a thank you letter to the employee leaving the company.
This individual may be moving to a new office, starting a new job, taking a sabbatical, or retiring. Whatever the reason, a great thank you letter is the perfect way to wish them well!
If you’re looking for the perfect way to say bon voyage, we’ve got your back. With help from our guide, you can give the person the best last impression of your business!
Losing a valuable team member is always difficult. However, it also presents an opportunity to celebrate their contributions and impact before they move on. Writing a thoughtful appreciation letter is one of the best ways to do this.
An appreciation letter allows you to express your gratitude for their hard work and wish them the best in their future endeavors. With some planning and effort your letter can become a cherished memento of their time at your company.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover actionable tips on how to write the perfect employee appreciation letter.
Why Send an Appreciation Letter?
Here are some of the key reasons an appreciation letter can be incredibly meaningful:
- It provides closure on their time at the company and shows you valued them.
- Sharing specific accomplishments and contributions reminds them of their impact.
- Sincere praise and well-wishes can reassure them during a transition.
- A handwritten, printed, or beautifully designed letter is a keepsake.
- It maintains goodwill and a positive impression of the company.
- For retirees, it honors loyal service and achievements.
The time invested in crafting a thoughtful letter pays dividends in terms of the departing employee feeling appreciated It also builds goodwill with your remaining team,
Who Should Write the Letter?
Typically, the employee’s direct manager or a senior executive writes the appreciation letter. However, there are also other good options:
- HR manager: They likely have insight into companywide contributions.
- Colleagues: Co-workers can describe specific impacts on their team.
- Mentor: Someone who guided their growth can share memories.
- Client: For client-facing roles, show external appreciation too.
Choose the person who can give the most heartfelt, personalized letter. For a beloved retiree, having multiple people write letters provides a chorus of appreciation.
When Should You Send the Letter?
Aim to provide the letter on or before the employee’s last working day. This enables them to read it when the experience of leaving is foremost in their mind.
If the departure date is known in advance, feel free to give them the letter earlier. This allows time for a thoughtful letter and for the employee to savor the message.
For retirees with an extended notice period, you could present the letter during a retirement party and create a memory book with letters from across the company.
What to Include in an Appreciation Letter
Tailor the letter’s content to the individual situation. However, some key elements to include are:
1. Express Your Gratitude
Sincerely thank them for their contributions over the years. Be specific about what you appreciate about them, like work ethic, skills, or values.
2. Note Meaningful Achievements
Mention major accomplishments, awards, and quantifiable impacts the employee had. This reminds them of the difference they made.
3. Share Favorite Memories
Include special moments, funny stories, or what you’ll miss most about working with them. This personal touch often means the most.
4. Offer Best Wishes
Express excitement and optimism for their future, whether they are pursuing new opportunities or entering retirement.
5. Include Contact Details
Let them know they can reach out in the future for references or just to keep in touch. Many enjoy occasional updates from past team members.
Appreciation Letter Examples
Here are two sample appreciation letters for different situations:
1. For a Valued Employee Leaving the Company
Dear Janelle,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your many valuable contributions over the past five years here at Acme Inc. We will miss your passion, creative ideas, and the caring support you always showed your team.
I still remember when we first discussed bringing you on board to spearhead our social media efforts. We immediately knew from the interview that your knowledge and enthusiasm would be a perfect match. You certainly exceeded all expectations!
From building our influencer partnerships to completely refreshing our social branding, you accomplished so much. I was constantly impressed with your ability to spark engagement and manage crises. Your success in increasing our followers by 50% and website clicks by 75% had a dramatic impact. You have set our social media efforts up for continued success, and we owe you immense thanks.
I will never forget the time the entire team worked through the night to respond to that product complaint that went viral. Morale was so low, but you lifted everyone’s spirits with your humor and encouragement. It was indicative of the culture and camaraderie you helped cultivate here every day.
As you embark on your new opportunities at Social Media Stars Inc., please know that you will be missed tremendously by all of us. We wish you the absolute best and will be cheering you on. Please stay in touch, and don’t be a stranger! If I can ever serve as a reference or be of help, do not hesitate to reach out.
Thanks again for everything, Janelle. It has been such a pleasure working with you!
Wishing you the best,
Courtney Li
VP of Marketing
Acme Inc.
2. For a Retiring Employee
Dear Sam,
On the occasion of your retirement, I wanted to thank you for your many years of dedicated service to Acme Inc. It has been an honor to work alongside you these past 25 years. Your hard work, expertise, and commitment have been invaluable.
Since joining Acme in 1997, you have made lasting impacts across so many areas. Your visionary leadership of the engineering team fostered our culture of innovation and excellence. The multiple patents you secured and products you pioneered paved the way for our growth. Your mentorship has nurtured so much talent over the decades as well. We will be building upon your legacy for many years to come.
On a personal note, I will sincerely miss our weekly check-ins. You always brought such passion and insight to every discussion. I have learned so much from you over the years, from technical knowledge to management wisdom. My door will always be open if you would ever like to grab coffee and catch up.
As you move on to new adventures in retirement, please know that you will be dearly missed. We wish you a happy and healthy retirement filled with family, friends, and relaxation! You have more than earned some rest and the time to pursue personal interests. Thank you again for your countless contributions that have made such a difference to Acme’s success.
Enjoy your retirement – you deserve it! Stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Courtney Li
CEO
Acme Inc.
How to Deliver the Letter
Hand-delivering or mailing a printed appreciation letter demonstrates extra thoughtfulness. However, email works too if timing requires quick delivery.
For a memorable presentation:
- Print on quality paper and handwrite for a personal touch.
- Include a signature from key leaders or colleagues.
- Craft your own card or order custom appreciation cards.
- Present the letter in a nice envelope or folder for safekeeping.
- For retirement, create a memory book with photos, messages from colleagues, and the letter.
No matter the delivery method, be sure to express your message of gratitude sincerely. This keepsake letter requires thoughtfulness over fancy materials.
Key Takeaways for Writing an Appreciation Letter
- Make it personal with specific memories and praise.
- Mention major accomplishments, quantifiable impacts, awards.
- Share funny anecdotes, inside jokes, and what you’ll miss most.
- Offer best wishes for their next chapter, whether a new job or retirement.
- Present the letter on nice stationery in a thoughtful manner.
The time invested in appreciating a departing employee through a thoughtful letter provides lasting returns. It reassures the individual of their contributions and maintains goodwill after their departure.
By following these tips, you can craft a meaningful appreciation letter your employee will treasure for years to come. Make sure amazing team members know just how valued they were long after their last day.
Thank You Letter To Employee When Leaving The Company: Examples
If you’re looking for inspiration for a thank you letter, we’ve got you covered! Our list of examples will help you craft the perfect note – one that your employee is sure to love.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work during your time at [insert your company’s name]. It’s hard to say farewell to such a dedicated and motivated employee. Your contribution to the sales team has not gone unnoticed, and we’re sad to lose someone as valuable as you.
Thank you for exceeding company expectations and inspiring your team with your spectacular work ethic. You have spearheaded some amazing projects, such as [insert significant project]. You have performed consistently – which is evidenced by your top salesperson award!
Your passion, drive, and excellent jokes will be sorely missed. Our weekly team meeting won’t be the same without you!
Congratulations on your new job – you deserve it! I look forward to watching you grow in your new role as sales director. Although I am sad to see you go, I know you will thrive in your new work environment.
Once more, thank you for everything you’ve done as part of our team.
Thank you for ten wonderful years of incredible service and loyalty to [insert your company’s name]. I have enjoyed our spirited collaborations and your unique approach to problem-solving. Your cheery smile and positive attitude will be deeply missed.
You have achieved many admirable things during your time with this organization. We owe many successes in the marketing department to your tireless dedication and leadership. Not only did you bring in [insert name of client] – you were the driving force behind boosting our sales by [insert percentage].
Although it’s hard to say goodbye to such a valuable member of the business, no one deserves to relax more than you! You have set the perfect example for the rest of our employees, and we can only hope to find someone to fill shoes as big as yours.
Enjoy your retirement! May it be as fruitful and enjoyable as our time spent with you at [insert your company’s name].
It’s important to show appreciation for an employee who is resigning. Saying goodbye to a valued team member is tough! Thank you letters are an excellent way to show gratitude and give your employee a proper send-off!
Farewells are a fun way to close the chapter on your employee’s years of service. However, nothing is more memorable than a personal and sincere thank you letter.
We hope our guide on how to write a letter to an employee when leaving the company has helped you. All you have to do now is pen down the perfect message!
It will always be sad to see an awesome employee go. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use the opportunity to celebrate their time at the company!
One of the best ways to honor hard work and say goodbye is to write a thank you letter to the employee leaving the company.
This individual may be moving to a new office, starting a new job, taking a sabbatical, or retiring. Whatever the reason, a great thank you letter is the perfect way to wish them well!
If you’re looking for the perfect way to say bon voyage, we’ve got your back. With help from our guide, you can give the person the best last impression of your business!
Think About Your Company Culture
Company culture plays an essential role in how you say goodbye to your employees. Giving your employee a top-tier thank you letter is an excellent send-off. It also makes a good impression on the rest of your team.
Employee recognition is vital for engagement, motivation, and productivity. Similarly, fostering a positive company culture stems from keeping your employees happy and engaged.
Writing a thank you letter to someone leaving the company can improve your current teams feelings about the workplace. This can add to a positive work environment and company culture.
While a thank you letter may seem like a simple gesture, gratitude and recognition are always appreciated. Recognition improves productivity among the rest of your team. Your people will want to work harder to earn the same credit when they resign or retire someday, which means a more driven workforce!
19 Ways To Say Thank You & Show Your Appreciation – Business English
What is the purpose of an appreciation letter?
The purpose of an appreciation letter is to let an employee know they performed exceptionally on a specific task and to encourage them to keep up the good work. Referring to specific events helps employees understand exactly what behaviors to model going forward.
How to write an appreciation letter to a departing employee?
How To Write an Appreciation Letter To a Departing Employee 1. Think about your time with the employee · 2. Customize and personalize your message · 3. Thank the employee · 4. Ask the employee to stay in
How do you write an appreciation letter?
An appreciation letter is a note that employees or managers write to employees to show their gratitude and acknowledgment of the hard work they’ve contributed to the company. You can craft an appreciation letter by writing it by hand, sending it in an email or printing it out for the employee to read.
How do you write an appreciation letter for someone leaving an organisation?
Here’s another example depicting an appreciation letter for someone leaving an organisation after three years: Dear Jackson, I want to thank you on behalf of the company for your valuable contribution to the customer service team and beyond during your time at Gmex Solutions these last three years.
