5 Tips for Writing Employee Recognition Messages

Without a doubt, engaging employees is one of the trickiest tasks most managers face. Recent Gallup research indicates as of September 2022, only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. While those numbers should be shocking, they represent a familiar reality.

If low engagement is affecting your bottom line, consider making a company commitment to appreciation with Hallmark Business Connection’s employee appreciation cards. After all, recognizing team members with words of gratitude is as good for people as it is for profits.

Research shows that frequent acts of appreciation can increase employees’ confidence in the company vision and leadership by 76%. This, in turn, can produce 50% higher productivity and 40% less burnout.

Whether you want to shine a light on outstanding performance, recognize work anniversaries, commend a positive attitude or simply express how grateful you are, it’s important to include a personal message to keep your card from falling flat. If you don’t have confidence in your writing skills, don’t worry. We’re here to help.

We asked professional Hallmark writers what makes for a truly memorable employee appreciation message. These five easy tips work well for any business writing, whether you’re communicating with employees or customers.

5 Tips for Writing an Employee Appreciation Message

1. You don’t have to write a lot to impress someone. A few well-chosen words work best.

2. Express your heartfelt appreciation and gratitude.

3. For greater impact, add specific details about what the employee did to deserve the recognition.

4. Speak from the heart. Tell your recipients why their accomplishments or talents made a difference to you, your team or the company.

5. If you want an action repeated, a genuine compliment helps to make that happen.

Shop more cards like this on our Employee Appreciation greetings page.  

Employee Recognition Message Template

Need help deciding what to write in an employee appreciation card? Use this template to craft your perfect thank you message:

SENTENCE 1: I want to thank you for (what the employee did).

SENTENCE 2: It really helped (how it helped/who it helped).

SENTENCE 3: I really appreciate your (talent or skill, such as teamwork, leadership, etc.)

SIGN OFF: (Thank you, Cheers, Sincerely, etc.)

SIGNATURE: (Your Name, Your Name + Business Name, Your Name + Your Department)

PRO TIP: Remember that cards are more meaningful when they come from an individual! Be sure to add your name to the signature when signing!

Shop more cards like this on our Employee Recognition greetings page.

Employee Appreciation Message Ideas

If copy > paste is more your style, use one of the messages below to fill out your employee appreciation card.

• “You have made a big difference at our organization. Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate all your hard work. You’re a team player—and we thank you for your efforts!”

• “Just wanted you to know that all the little things you do every day make a huge difference. Thank you for your dedication and willingness to go the extra mile.”

• "I appreciate the commitment and follow-through you’ve shown during your first month here. You’re a quick learner who always asks the right questions to give our customers the best experience."

• “Today seems like a great day to let you know how much your hard work and dedication means to us. You go above and beyond—and we appreciate it.”

• “You should be proud of the role you play in our success. Our warmest thanks to you and all you do.”

• “You continue to make a positive difference here at [company name]. Thank you for your hard work. It does not go unnoticed!”

• “We are the best at what we do because we have the best employees—like you. Happy Employee Appreciation Day.”

• “You bring passion, dedication and innovation to our business every single day. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. Here’s to you!”

• “It is an absolute privilege to have you on my team. It’s hard to express just how much you’re valued at [company name]. Thank you for making us better each day.” 

• “The workweek would not be the same without you! Keep shining on.” 

• “Thank you for helping [company name] reach its [year] goals! Thanks to the hard work from employees like you, we had a stellar year, and we look forward to seeing what else we can accomplish together.” 

Give it a shot and see what a card can do to boost your employee appreciation efforts.

And don’t forget, National Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday of March!

SHOP EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION CARDS