Sample Thank You and Appreciation Letters For a Boss

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Everyone likes to feel appreciated—even the boss. So, when your manager does something particularly helpful or meaningful, take the time to say thank you with a letter of appreciation. It's a nice, polite thing to do, and most likely, your boss will appreciate the gesture. It may even increase the chances that they’ll go above and beyond for you in the future.

The best part is that you don’t need to write a lengthy letter to express your thanks. Even a quick email message works well to let your manager know that their support is appreciated.

Here's information on when and how to say thank you to your manager, with examples of the best way to relay your appreciation to your boss.

Key Takeaways

  • A thank-you email or note can have more of an impact than a conversation, because you took the time to write.
  • Thank-you notes can be sent via email by formal printed letter, or a handwritten card can add a personal touch.
  • Be specific when you write your thank-you note so the recipient is clear about why you're writing.
  • Your thank-you note or email should be brief and to the point.
When to Send a Letter of Appreciation

 Melissa Ling / The Balance

When To Thank Your Boss

Here are some situations where a thank-you message is appropriate: 

Lends a hand. If your manager offers you resources or helps solve a problem (e.g., hires a part-time staffer to help on a project, secures a new piece of technology, or even participates in a joint brainstorming session).

Does a personal favor. Maybe your boss allows you extra leave time or is understanding with days off, even though you're taking them during a busy season. Perhaps your boss connects you with someone in your field who can help further your career, or takes some time to provide you with personal mentorship or advice.

Gives you a promotion, raise, or bonus. While the extra money or promotion comes from the company's coffers, most likely your boss advocated for you to receive it.

Provides an opportunity for advancement. It's not only a raise or promotion that deserves appreciation; your boss sets you up for those measures of success by funneling important projects and initiatives in your direction. Without that trust in your abilities, it's harder to show off your talents.

Coordinates a collection for you or a family member. It isn’t unusual for good bosses to “pass the hat” for contributions when an employee experiences either a happy personal event (such as the birth of a child, a wedding, or a graduation) or a sad transition (like the death of a family member). When this happens, it is more than appropriate to send a thank-you note to your boss, along with a request that he or she pass your thanks on to all of those who contributed.

Announces that they are leaving either your division or the company. If your boss announces that they are leaving your division (through promotion or reassignment) or is leaving your employer (because of retirement, a new job, or a layoff), this is a wonderful time to write a sincere note that expresses your gratitude for the things they have done for you.

Note

If your boss is moving on, remember to wish them success in their new endeavors.

When you’re moving on. Similarly, you may want to send your boss a letter of appreciation when you leave the department, or when you leave the company entirely.

Tips for Writing an Appreciation Note

  • Be sincere. When you are writing to your boss to express gratitude and appreciation, you have to be careful with your tone. You want to make sure you appear sincere—and not like a sycophant.
  • Be specific. In your letter, mention why you're writing and provide a specific thank you. For example, "Thank you so much for organizing my baby shower and for your generous gift," or "I'm so appreciative of this end-of-year bonus."
  • Be brief. There's no need to write a lengthy note—keep your message short and to the point. The most important thing is to express your appreciation. Include a complimentary close at the end of your letter before your name. Proofread carefully.

Appreciation Letter and Email Samples

You can send your note as a handwritten card, printed-out letter, or email. Review sample appreciation letters and emails to use as inspiration when you write your own thank-you letter for your boss.

Formal Thank-You Letter Example

Sample Formal Thank-You Letter to Boss

Jonathan Smith
Assistant Manager
ABC Corp
100 South Street, Ste. 10
Middleburg, NY 10706
555-123-4567
Jonathan.Smith@email.com

October 10, 2022

Liz Garcia
ABC Corp
100 South Street, Ste. 10
Middleburg, NY 10706

Dear Liz,

I really appreciate your understanding and support regarding the changes we're making to the project plan.

I feel that these changes are going to streamline the current project, and facilitate the organization of those in the future.

Thank you for your confidence in me. I'm sure you're going to be pleased with the results.

Best regards,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Jonathan Smith

Sample Appreciation Email Messages

Sample Email Appreciation Message to Boss #1

Subject Line: Thank You

Dear Chris,

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the opportunity you gave me to attend the professional development workshop in Orlando last week—and also for securing my travel and expense funding for this trip.

The workshop sessions were both informative and inspirational, and I’m looking forward to sharing the things I learned with our team. I feel confident that the processes I was introduced to will improve our efficiency and increase our workgroup’s ownership of our projects.

Thank you for your confidence in me.

Best regards,

Josh

Sample Email Appreciation to Boss #2

Subject: Thank you!

Dear Ryanna, 

Thank you so much for the generous gift for my new son, Oliver. My husband and I were so delighted to receive the adorable outfits and toys, and I was so touched by the card. Please pass along my appreciation to the whole product team. 

See attached for a photo of Oliver in one of the new outfits. Thank you again for this generous, thoughtful present. I'm enjoying my time home with my new child, but also looking forward to returning to the office and thanking everyone in person. 

Sincerely,

Maria 

Sample Written Thank-You Note

Dear Kusam,

Thank you so much for the promotion and the opportunity to spearhead the new project. I appreciate your trust in me and you offering me the responsibility; it’s an honor.

The new project will be an exciting endeavor for my team. We’ll keep you informed of our progress, and I’m confident you’re going to like the end results.

Sincerely,

Terry

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best way to send a thank-you note?

When you want the recipient to know that you appreciate them, the quickest way is to send an email message. Sending a handwritten note card shows that you’ve taken the time to put some extra effort into showing your appreciation. Another option is a formal letter expressing your gratitude.

How should you say thank you to colleagues who helped you at work?

When colleagues help you out at work, they'll appreciate being recognized for their assistance. To say thank you at work, you can send individual emails or send a group message to your team if you're a team leader.

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