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When an employee gives impeccable customer service, celebrate it. Providing words of thanks and feedback to the employee not only boosts their confidence and shows your gratitude, but it also confirms they are adhering to the ideals and goals of the company. In moments like this, the employee’s supervisor should consider writing an employee recognition letter for customer service.

Not sure where to start? We’re pros at positive communication exchanges and know how to recognize a job well done. Let’s start writing.

Preparing Your Employee Recognition/Customer Service Letter

As you sit down to handwrite a beautiful card or type up a letter on company stationery (both are perfectly acceptable!), you’ll want to focus on three things:

• Summarizing the admirable customer service moment
• Why it was a notable exchange with a customer
• Gratitude for the employee’s performance

The purpose of writing this letter to a stand-out staff member is to show how much their attentiveness is appreciated and noticed by customers and senior-level employees at the company.

Sample Letter to Celebrate an Employee

Here’s an example that you can customize to fit your profession, situation, and/or company structure to celebrate an employee’s interaction with a customer or a general trend of excellent service over time.

Dear Employee Name,

Here at Acme Health Supplies Inc., we strive to celebrate greatness when we see it, and this week you’re in the spotlight! We received a phone call from Mrs. Smith regarding your exchange on Friday to set up her new home delivery service. She was thrilled with your helpful tips, attention to detail, and complimented your courteous tone. This moment of stellar customer service was also noticed in the office by a few of your coworkers, who shared words of praise for your customer service skills.

We’ve always believed in giving our customers our undivided attention and working with them until every aspect of their transaction has been explained and understood. You achieved those goals and went above and beyond by tending to Mrs. Smith’s extra questions with patience and grace. You’ve set a noteworthy example in our office and for that, we thank you!

We’re so appreciative of your natural talents with our clientele that we’d like to use your phone call as an example of successful customer service in our training program. And of course, no good deed should go unrewarded. Please enjoy lunch on us this week at your favorite cafe with this gift card. Once again, we appreciate your outstanding representation of Acme Health Supplies Inc. and feel honored to have you on our team.

Sincerely,

Your Supervisor

That’s all there is to it! Recall the positive interaction, explain why it was great, and then show your appreciation. Whether your note is three sentences or three paragraphs long, your recognition will be appreciated.

As you start to brainstorm what to include in your letter, consider browsing our line of greeting cards and stationery. We are sure to have the perfect paper to complement your sentiments.

Downsizing and restructuring is often part of business management, and ultimately, structured growth. If your company is preparing for a round of layoffs to improve the stability and positioning of your business, you need to make a conscious effort to boost employee morale after layoffs. Don’t let concerns or confusion linger among the remaining staff.

The Harvard Business Review reports that a “heightened level of employee dysfunction” is common after a downsizing situation. Thankfully, supervisors and top-level management can ease tension and fears regarding the future by implementing these ideas.

5 Ways to Boost Employee Morale after Layoffs

After the pink slips go out, and the remaining staff has been honestly informed of the purpose behind the company changes, the real work begins. Focus on career development, solidifying trust, and listening to the staff’s needs.

1. Focus on team-building. Hiring an outside speaker to conduct a workshop or creating an internal activity can help stimulate creativity, conversation, and trust among the staff. Be sure to reward top performers with small gifts to reinforce the company’s dedication to recognizing stand-out participation and skills.
2. Encourage open communication. Distribute information to senior staff regarding active listening skills and open-door policies they can use to encourage junior staff members to reach out with concerns during the transitional period. Employees want to feel heard and understood.
3. Present future plans. Be candid with the staff about how their work duties will change and future hiring plans to ease their new workloads. Is an increase in tasks temporary or a new long-term expectation? Be clear about timelines and job description changes in the new office environment.
4. Offer a support system. As your company adapts to changes, roll out helpful training courses, bring in workplace morale counselors, and schedule team meetings that empower employees to do their best. You can’t expect success from employees who feel unguided or confused about a shift in duties or new co-worker collaborations.
5. Celebrate current value. Everyone loves to know what they’re doing right and receive praise. After a round of layoffs, a little reassurance can help stabilize trust in the company and the employees’ places in it. Take the time to thank individuals for their contributions, positive office attitudes, and adaptability to the changes.

Boost the morale at your company by keeping employee recognition gifts on hand and presenting them often. From certificates to trophies, PaperDirect offers a variety of motivational products to boost the spirit and confidence of your hard-working team.

Naming an employee of the month is a great way to recognizing your top performers’ hard work and dedication to the company. With all the effort they put into their job, they deserve more of a thank you than their picture on the wall. Why not give your employees of the month a unique treat instead? Transform your employee of the month recognition from a rather ho-hum honor to an enticing goal with these five spectacular ideas.

Free Lunch

Employee of the month recognition can be delicious when it means a free lunch. Pick a trendy restaurant near the office, or let the honored employee choose one from a pre-approved list. Then tell your employee to order in or head out on their lunch hour, with you picking up the tab for their meal.

Goodie Basket

Get a basket and fill it with items you know your employees would like. Choose a collection of munchies that fits the particular employee, with options that include fruit, granola bars, gourmet cheese, or candy. Non-food items can also work – think sketch pads, gift certificates, scented candles, or coffee mugs.

Supply Box

Keep your employee of the month recognition work-related by gifting a supply box filled with items they can use on the job. Ideas here run the gamut from colored sticky notes to pen sets to personalized memo pads to planners.

Certificate or Trophy

Certificates and trophies are superb for letting your employees of the month display their honor on their desk or wall as long as they wish. Get a batch of high-quality certificate paper and print up your own awards every month, or choose to have them custom printed and framed.

Choose from trophies shaped like stars, circles, or half-moons, all of which can be engraved. If springing for a trophy every month may be a bit much, invest in a single trophy that gets passed around month-to-month to the person who nabs the honor.

Paid Time Off

While you may want to reserve a paid week of vacation for your employees of the year, add an extra day to your employees of the month’s allotted PTO. Review the employee’s schedule, and then have them pick a day that works for you both. Even your best employees would love an extra day to relax!

With so many enticing options for employee of the month recognition, it may be tough to pick just one. Feel free to rotate the recognition ideas every year, or even on a quarterly basis. And yes, if you’re a big fan of the photo in the hallway, you can still keep that tradition, too. Just strengthen the honor with an additional perk that makes sure employees know you truly value their work. Check out PaperDirect for more ways to recognize your hardworking employee of the month.

The primary goals of employee reward and recognition programs are simple: attract and retain amazing talent. So, we shower them with awards, praise, and tokens of appreciation to express our gratitude for their service and dedication. But, are we doing it right? And well enough?

The research pros at Gallup, Inc. found, “only one in three workers in the U.S. strongly agree that they received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past seven days” and that many workers feel their best efforts are ignored. These folks are twice as likely to quit their jobs in the coming year.

In short: We need to do better. Here are a few ways for leaders and managers in your organization to recognize accomplishments, boost employee motivation, increase company loyalty, and meet employee retention rate goals.

Individual Personalized Outreach

The gold standard for employee recognition relies on one-on-one communication from a top-level colleague. We want to hear positive words from our supervisor or the head of the company. Gallup, Inc. found the most memorable and meaningful recognition came from the employee’s manager (28 percent), the company’s leader or CEO (24 percent), or the supervisor over the individual’s boss (12 percent).

The outreach should be genuine and personal. Taking a few minutes to chat about accomplishments and share a handshake speaks volumes to an employee. Writing a note on quality stationery or in a thank you card also makes a big impact.

Employee of the Month/Year

The next most effective form of recognition is based on individual outreach in a public forum. When a supervisor presents a certificate, award, or verbal praise for an individual employee in front of his or her peers, the impact is two-fold. The employee feels appreciated, and the staff learns more about the company culture, possibly feeling inspired to aspire to a similar experience.

Explore this option by creating your own employee of the week, month, or year depending on what feels appropriate for your industry. Make the announcement public and available for the entire staff to enjoy, whether it’s in the form of a meeting or morning announcement.

Individual Evaluations and Reviews

Although it’s not glamorous or public, employees feel valued when you take the time to sit with them and review their goals and performance within the company structure. These evaluations give both the supervisor and employee a chance to discuss improvement, promotions, and future opportunities. Again, personalization and direct communication with a superior at the company is key.

This form of recognition is usually part of an annual employee performance review. In a smaller office setting, this sort of check-in would be valuable after completing large company projects every few months or even on a monthly basis. Consider pairing the reviews with an employee appreciation day to enliven the workday.

Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Gallup, Inc. finds that you really can’t give too much feedback or recognition. They feel it should be all-encompassing and come from supervisors, peers, clients, and customers to really make an impact.

Share shout-outs for individual employees on customer surveys. Allow peers to nominate their co-workers for company awards. Encourage immediate supervisors to recognize when an employee excels in accordance with the company culture, purpose, or brand.

Are you ready to overhaul your company’s employee reward and recognition programs? Find everything you need to acknowledge your amazing employees at PaperDirect today!

If you work in an office, you know the classic cast of characters – the office gossip, the overachiever, and the rookie seem to make an appearance in every office. While you may think that you’re above labels (except, of course, “greatest employee of all time”), it’s likely that you fall into a certain employee category just like all your coworkers. Instead of guessing what kind of employee you are, take this quiz from PaperDirect to learn whether you’re a social butterfly, disappearing act, or something in between. Click the image below to start the quiz!

Link above didn’t work? Access the quiz here. 

If you appreciate your employees and all the hard work they do for you, taking a moment to show gratitude goes a long way. After all, who doesn’t love hearing those two magic words: thank you!

If you’re ready to amp up the employee morale in your office, you can spread kindness and thanks every day of the week with these low-cost employee appreciation ideas and gifts.

Low-cost employee appreciation ideas 

1. Sweet treat: A morning pastry, gourmet cup of coffee or afternoon chocolate bar will create a smile.
2. Lapel pin: A little celebratory bling is always a good thing.
3. Gift card: Declare lunch on you at your employee’s favorite restaurant.
4. Coffee mug: Fill a novelty insulated mug with tea bags or instant coffee packets.
5. Set of note cards: Monogrammed thank you notes are adorable and perfect for the wordy person on your staff.
6. Small trophy: A little award to display proudly on a shelf is sure to express your heartfelt gratitude.
7. Sticky notes: Small stacks of cute paper is always a fun addition to a busy desk.
8. Deluxe pen: They’re cozy in the hand and smooth on paper. We all love a quality writing tool!
9. Desk candle: Add a warm ambiance and gentle fragrance to the colleague’s workspace.
10. Business card holder: Shiny, classic or whimsical, a new card holder is always a welcome gift.
11. Handwritten note: Grab fancy stationery, a colorful pen, and write a few positive sentences about your hardworking employee.
12. Candy jar: Desk decorations should serve a purpose, like feeding that afternoon sweet tooth. Fill a cookie jar with a favorite treat and surprise the recipient!
13. Mini calendar: Have a small desk calendar made featuring photos of fun office antics snagged from Instagram.
14. Hand-held game: An old school, mind-bending toy is the perfect office stress reliever and gift!
15. Decorative lanyard: Present a new way to carry around office ID cards or keys.
16. Award certificate: Name the good deed and the recipient on a frame-worthy document that can be proudly displayed in the office.

Are you ready to stock up on low-cost employee appreciation gifts? Browse the selection at PaperDirect online, fill your shopping cart and have these goodies sent directly to your office. It’s time to spread some joy!

Every manager of remote workers can agree that they are a valuable part of your team. However, as much as you appreciate them, it’s easy for them to feel a bit isolated from the main office, especially if the majority of the team is based in one location. Incorporating ways to make your remote employees feel included and appreciated regularly can do wonders for your remote staff’s morale and loyalty.

Here are a few tips on how to manage remote workers, and make them feel like the valued part of the team that they are!

Include them on newsletters

One of the simplest things you can do is loop your remote workers into a weekly or monthly newsletter, which you might already be sending out! Even if every part of the letter isn’t strictly related to your workers, it can be a great way to keep remote workers in the loop about happenings and updates at the main office.

Keep them updated on changes in the company

By the same token, while it might not occur to you to tell your freelancers about changes to the company until it impacts them, keeping your remote workers in the loop can go a long way to making them feel like they’re part of the team. Everybody benefits from honest and open communication, and you’ll likely find that your remote workers are much more engaged when they are consistently updated on changes.

Set measurable goals and recognize workers

Whether your remote workers are handling data, answering phones, writing copy, or any other manner of tasks, you likely have some measurable goals set for each remote worker to meet. However, some employee recognition goes a long way when they meet their goals or far exceed your expectations. Send them a certificate or small gift as a thank you for a job well done.  

Get your remote workers some company swag

Everyone loves free things! If you’re ordering new t-shirts or branded coffee mugs for your team, be sure to send to your remote workers. Getting them some new swag will make them feel included in the company, no matter how far away they are.

Don’t just communicate via email 

We get it — the easiest way to communicate is to shoot somebody a quick email. Not to mention, having things in writing is a great way to look back on tasks when you’re not working in an office. Despite the benefits of email, setting a semi-regular call to check in with your remote workers will establish a much better rapport than communicating via text alone.  Regular phone check-ins will make any freelancer feel more personally attached to and supported by you and your company.

Whether you choose to incorporate one or all of these ideas into your management of remote workers, they’re sure to appreciate your effort to make them a true part of the team. If you plan to send your remote team certificates or other tokens of appreciation, PaperDirect has you covered. Shop our line of recognition products today!

If you want to earn the title of Best Boss Ever, highlight this date: March 2 – National Employee Appreciation Day. Celebrate this office holiday to show your hard-working staff how much you appreciate their diligence every day. This day of recognition happens on the first Friday of March each year, so make it a recurring notification on your digital calendar.

Now, let’s get down to business and express our gratitude for the people who make the business shine. Since it’s a Friday, it’s easy to mix up the work day a bit and spoil everyone before the weekend. Try one or two of these ideas for employee appreciation day!

1. Cater a full breakfast

By the end of the week, most employees are pretty tired and likely not enjoying a balanced breakfast before their workday. Send out a memo early in the week that breakfast is on you on Friday! Find a caterer to bring in all the morning favorites including pancakes, eggs, sausage, fresh fruit and gourmet coffee.

2. Plan an off-site adventure

Whether it spans the lunch break or fills the second half of the workday, get out of the office and do something social as a group. Visit the zoo. Go skiing. Walk dogs at the animal shelter. Hike local trails. Go on a sightseeing tour. Try bowling. Take lots of pictures and be sure to post it to your business social media to show that you don’t sit at desks 24/7!

3. Relax the dress code

Instead of business attire, encourage everyone to wear a T-shirt, jersey, or sweatshirt that shows off something they love. It might be a sports team, band, animal, stage performance, college, or brand. Then, offer up cute awards throughout the day for Most Cozy, Coolest Band, Best Team Spirit, Silliest Style, Bright and Bold, and more! Document each one with a photo and sentence or two on the office communication system.

4. Write thank you notes

Supervisors should take a few moments to pen a few words of gratitude to the people in their department. Call out a few positive attributes about each employee or commend them for a job well done on a recent project. Present the handwritten cards with a small token of appreciation, like a candy bar, new coffee mug, or a gift card to a local coffee shop.

5. Start the weekend early

No holiday is complete without a little extra time off! If your business can swing it, make it a half day on Friday. Or, give each employee a half-day award certificate they can use on a day that better fits into their schedule in March. Time away from the office for rest and hobbies makes everyone sharper when it’s time to focus on work tasks!

Are you ready to highlight the achievements and contributions of your employees? Stock up on employee awards and recognition certificates at PaperDirect.

A little kudos goes a long way. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to roll out an effective employee recognition program at your company. Motivate your team to put in 100 percent each day by rewarding their achievements, big and small, throughout the year.

The human resources professionals at HR Technologist explain that recognition is simply showing appreciation in a structured manner. This outreach is known to elevate the overall level of happiness in the office, boost employee job satisfaction, improve team spirit, lower turnover rates, and help maintain a strong company brand. We could all use more of that, right?

Set up An Employee Recognition Program

Create a recognition team to outline, implement, and oversee the new program. The CEO, department supervisors, and human resources should all be invited to attend. For a broader reach, consider including a veteran employee, as well as a new hire or intern, to get a variety of insight and feedback as you plan and carry out the program.

When creating the guidelines for the program, closely marry them with your company’s goals, strategies, and organizational behaviors. When one of these ideals is met, recognition is given.

Next, choose how to implement the system. Is it perpetual and recognition is highlighted daily, or is weekly outreach more appropriate? Decide what is best for the size and structure of your team. For example, some offices do a multi-layered approach, where supervisors can bestow recognition onto their colleagues at any time, while appreciation from senior management is held until a monthly newsletter or annual all-staff meeting.

Finally, measure how effective the program is overall. Give the employees surveys, measure absentee days, gauge the overall flow of the office, check-in on productivity levels, and how well goals are being met. Is the program improving the work environment?

Make the Program Meaningful for Your Staff

Let’s talk about the rewards! A simple thank you from a co-worker can put a pep in your step. Sometimes a token of appreciation for a job well done is more appropriate. The key is devising a sliding scale of recognition methods based on the level and depth performance you’re rewarding. Adding great ideas to a department meeting could be rewarded with a personal note, while hitting a five-year project goal warrants a more substantial gift presented at a company party.

Here are a few ideas for sharing your gratitude:

• An in-person thank you and handshake
• A public shout-out on the company social media
• A handwritten thank you note
• A note in the company newsletter
• A gourmet snack or beverage
• A gift featuring the company logo (coffee mug, shirt, or hat)
• An elegant ink pen
• A monogrammed stationery and note card set
• A lapel pin
• A gift card to a favorite lunch spot
• A framed award certificate
• A small award trophy
• A piece of jewelry (watch, necklace, or ring)
• A weekend getaway
• A financial bonus

Who administers the recognition is also important. Day-to-day recognition can easily be exchanged between lateral employees and direct supervisors. However, when a senior-level executive recognizes the extra effort put forth by a new staff member, it adds value to the interaction.

Above all, make sure the rewards system fits your business structure. Is your company team-focused? Reward teams. Is everyone completing individual tasks? Highlight individuals. And, recognize them in a way that suits them. Millennial workers love public recognition on social media while veteran employees may appreciate a more quiet one-on-one thank you from their supervisor of many years.

Are you ready to stock up on a few employee recognition items to have on hand at your office? PaperDirect offers everything from lapel pins and trophies, to paper certificates and coffee mugs. Browse our online store today!

Your colleague excels. You look forward to collaborating with them and know they put their best foot forward every time you ask for assistance. If you want to give them a more heartfelt thank you than a quick email, an employee recognition letter is the way to go.

If putting your thoughts into words on paper has left you tongue-tied, we’ve got the solution. Craft a one-page document that glorifies their professional skills and unique attributes and gives them genuine praise for the hard work they do at work. Here’s how to write a powerful employee recognition letter: 

Employee Recognition Letter Prep

Before you start writing, brainstorm what topics you want to address. Here’s a list of questions to wake up your brain and get your thoughts organized before updating the sample letter to fit your employee’s needs.

• What projects or achievements instantly stand out in your memory?
• What specific qualities does this employee bring to their work tasks?
• What’s it like to work with this employee on a daily basis?
• Review basic employee stats, including their length of employment and promotions.

Now that you’re in the right mindset, let’s craft that letter. Use this template to guide the structure and flow of the piece, customizing each section to fit the purpose of the letter.

Sample Employee Recognition Letter

Letter Outline

Introduction (1 paragraph): Thank or congratulate them for their hard work and achievements at work.

Body (2 paragraphs): Dive deeper into their achievements and work. How did their actions help you and the business? What specific things did they do to warrant recognition?

Conclusion (1 paragraph): Reiterate your thanks, and highlight how you look forward to working with them in the future.

Sample letter

Dear Leslie,

I wanted to say thank you for the dedication and hard work you’ve put into your job here at ACME industries over the past year. No matter what project you’re tackling, you always bring invaluable insight and motivation to the task.

I was particularly impressed with your work on the presentation for our sales team that lead to a 12 percent increase in their fourth-quarter earnings, which was double their projected growth. Your presentation was a direct catalyst for this growth.

Your attention to detail and determination to see the company succeed and grow into an international namesake is a huge asset. You always bring positivity to the office that inspires the colleagues you supervise, and your background in e-commerce and retail bring a fresh perspective to our business.

It has been an absolute pleasure having you on our team this past year, and I look forward to watching you continue to grow and excel as a part of the ACME team.

Sincerely,

Sarah Conrad

CEO, ACME Industries

Finally, print the employee recognition letter on top-quality monogrammed paper to give it that extra touch of professionalism before sending it off. Shop PaperDirect for the perfect stationery and employee recognition supplies today!

You adore your business team. Employees go the extra mile and come up with creative solutions each time you ask. If your verbal pats on the back are starting to feel a little lame or overused, surprise your standout employees with something a little more. These creative employee recognition ideas will express your gratitude and make a lasting impression!

Write a Thank You Note

Skip the email. Instead, use a nice pen and a thank you note to explain why you’re thrilled with your employee’s performance. Taking the time to express your feelings on paper shows more care than a simple thank you email.

Give a Gift Card

Keep a stash of $10 gift cards to popular coffee shops and lunch spots that your staff frequent. When you want to recognize a moment in which your employee shined, say thanks, then hand the employee a gift card as a small acknowledgment of their hard work.

Share Some Sparkle

Lapel pins featuring the company logo, positive words, or industry related icons show your gratitude. Be sure to pin them to little cards printed with a quote about positivity or teamwork before you gift them to high-performing employees.

Sit Down and Chat

Sometimes all an employee wants is a bit of your time. Visiting one-on-one, even for a few minutes, to highlight what went well and wrapping up with a statement of appreciation can perk up anyone’s day.

Share Something Sweet

When the afternoon snack cravings hit, be the star of the office with a drawer full of snacks and words of recognition. If a department hit a sales goal, drop off a basket of granola bars, cookies, and doughnut holes for them to share.

Prepare Award Certificates

If you’re preparing for a routine meeting but have big news related to an office accomplishment to share, prepare recognition certificates and turn the announcement into a ceremony. Framed certificates can later be displayed on office walls for visitors to admire!

Are you ready to be on your A-game when it comes to creative, on-the-spot employee recognition ideas? Stock up on paper certificates, lapel pins and mini trophies at PaperDirect.

If your annual employee reviews set off a collective moan throughout the workplace, it may be time for a change. While you don’t have to overhaul the entire review process, you can make a few strategic tweaks that’ll leave employees grinning instead of grimacing when it’s time for their yearly evaluation.

Look Forward, Not Just Back

Instead of simply rehashing the good and bad aspects of an employee’s performance over the past 12 months, make sure your reviews provide guidelines for moving forward. Whether it’s working on weak areas, taking on more responsibilities, or amending job duties, ensure employees know precisely what’s expected of their performance over the next 12 months.

Include Feedback from Variety of Sources

You may be the manager with the employee directly under your charge, but that doesn’t mean other people throughout the workplace aren’t affected by the employee’s performance. Collect feedback from other managers, the employee’s peers, and even vendors or clients if applicable. An employee’s job performance can impact many people besides the manager, and it’s helpful to look at input from multiple sources to get a more well-rounded view of their work.

Make Sure It’s a Conversation, Not a Lecture

If your annual employee reviews are more like annual employee lecture sessions, the chances are low that the information will stick. When employees feel like they’re being scolded or reprimanded, they’re likely to feel deflated or even resentful.

Transform the lecture into a conversation by asking for employee feedback – and then actually listening to what they have to say. Employee feedback needs to go beyond excuses for poor performance, but should instead include their thoughts, ideas, and feelings on what’s being discussed.

Praise for Positive Performance

Keep a running tally of times an employee excelled throughout the year and mention them during the review process. A review riddled with only negative feedback can cause resentment. Make sure to balance out negative and positive aspects of an employee’s performance, praising where praise is due.

Reward for Positive Performance

Reinforce positive performance even more by rewarding employees for a job well done. While not every organization may be able to reward employees with regular raises or monetary bonuses, you do have other options.

Recognition certificates and trophies can be a fun way to acknowledge exceptional behavior. You may also consider things like a bonus day off with pay, a catered lunch for the office held in the employees’ honor, or other forms of recognition that fit within the company budget.

Not only can these ideas help ensure your annual employee reviews are more dynamic and intriguing, but they can make them more effective. Check out PaperDirect for enticing recognition items to use during your review.