Got a raise- looking for suggestions on how to say "thanks"

[frapjap]

I put this here because its somewhat political (office politics, anyway) and would rather have more mature advice than Gen Chat.

The short story is that I've kicked my a** for the past two years on two major (and additional minor) project launches. We didn't receive raises last year due to the poor economy; but I feel that I ended up with some perks like an extra day of travel on business here and there, no kicked back expense reports for a superfluous line item or 2, and I also received employee of the year for 2010. EOY also came with a bit of a reward as well. Considering the raises and this being my 4th year at the company, I chalked it up to new employee retention.

So fast forward to this afternoon. As a result of my work, I had a review today and got a pretty decent raise. Through the review, my work ethics, methods, and team work were praised and I was given good marks. However, on top of the normal raise I would have received from that, more merit was awarded by the President. My boss made a very good point of telling me this. I was taken back and didn't know what to say, but was able to give my immediate boss praise for helping me get to this goal and where I'm at and that I am just doing my job and giving my all each day I go in. She summed it up with, "its noticed and you deserve this. You have a future here."

Anyway, I don't have much experience in situations like this so I wanted to gather some suggestions on what I should do as thanks. I plan on giving them both a thank you, but haven't decided how- let alone what would be appropriate so I am not a brown nose loser. Here are ideas that I've come up with so far:

- A note to each saying thanks and praising them for their help along the way. Words about how I give all I can to the position I have and am always willing to take on more and am glad to so that I may continue being an asset to this company.

- Accompanying the notes with small gifts. The president is a huge wine buff and I can definitely find him something. My boss, I'm not all to sure what I can get her. Neither are huge on gifts, but a small token of appreciation (for being appreciated) sounds acceptable in my book.

- A verbal thanks and quick conversation (seems like it isn't enough).

I know I have to thank them promptly and quickly before the window of acceptability passes.
What have you guys done in the past, or what do you suggest that I could do in this instance?

Thanks in advance!

[Jesda]

Genuine acknowledgement is really all anyone wants.

Not sure what the rule is, but I think gifts are for when you've screwed up or for rewarding subordinates and partners. Rewards that go from the bottom up could be lightly insulting for people sensitive about their position on the totem pole.

[AZhitman]

PIIHB.

Then clock out early.

[IBCoupe]

<-Lacks social skills, so not much help.

PIIHB.

Then clock out early.

Looking for mature advice? You came to the wrong place

[Encryptshun]

Well, Ray, I'm not sure my feedback will be accurate since I haven't lived your company's culture, but here are my thoughts:

1) YOU worked your butt off for 4 years for THEM. As employees of any company, you deliver a service and the company compensates you for it. This is not a gift -- it is recognition for your contribution. Therefore it requires no individual reciprocity.

2) An employee who shows the level of dedication and engagement that you have is a positive reflection on management by very nature. Your job well done automatically makes your boss look good, and your department looking good automatically makes the president look good. That is its own reward.

Based on this, I'd suggest that you send them both individual emails thanking them for the recognition and mentioning that it's things like individual recognition of accomplishments which really make your company a great place to work. Then drop by the office of each of them in person (or if you can do a drive-by in a meeting the two of them are in together, even better) and invite them both to lunch (your treat) someplace place nice but not too nice to say thanks. My guess is that they will politely refuse the invitation to lunch but they will be very pleased that you offered.

/2cents

[frapjap]

Genuine acknowledgement is really all anyone wants.

Not sure what the rule is, but I think gifts are for when you've screwed up or for rewarding subordinates and partners. Rewards that go from the bottom up could be lightly insulting for people sensitive about their position on the totem pole.

Thats a very good point, and you're right- all anyone wants is to be assured that they've been successful.

PIIHB.
Then clock out early.

I'm not sure if my performance would get me more money or none at all. But thanks for the obligatory general chat answer...

Well, Ray, I'm not sure my feedback will be accurate since I haven't lived your company's culture, but here are my thoughts:

1) YOU worked your butt off for 4 years for THEM. As employees of any company, you deliver a service and the company compensates you for it. This is not a gift -- it is recognition for your contribution. Therefore it requires no individual reciprocity.

2) An employee who shows the level of dedication and engagement that you have is a positive reflection on management by very nature. Your job well done automatically makes your boss look good, and your department looking good automatically makes the president look good. That is its own reward.

Based on this, I'd suggest that you send them both individual emails thanking them for the recognition and mentioning that it's things like individual recognition of accomplishments which really make your company a great place to work. Then drop by the office of each of them in person (or if you can do a drive-by in a meeting the two of them are in together, even better) and invite them both to lunch (your treat) someplace place nice but not too nice to say thanks. My guess is that they will politely refuse the invitation to lunch but they will be very pleased that you offered.

/2cents

You made two very good points there. Getting some credit and being legitimately recognized is definitely something that isn't consistent anywhere else I have worked. I only play a small part in the grand scheme of things, but good news does travel up. Either way, I couldn't have been successful on my own without support from my bosses, as well as forklift drivers, QA employees, line workers in the plant, marketing, etc. I'm no manager, but they all have a place to help me do my job function.

I'd like to do a physical card, but president is out of the office next week so emails will have to suffice. The lunch suggestion is also smart- they'll both likely to decline anyway. Thanks for the content suggestion too, I wouldn't have worded the "why its a great place to work" phrase quite as eloquently.

Thanks everyone!

[BusyBadger]

I'd go along with Jesda's recommendation(s). I'd skip an actual gift, it not only might look bad to the recipients, but it will most certainly look bad to your peers - protect your reputation.

Without knowing the structure of your employer I'd say a well thought out and written email would be ok, but if there's a way to do it I'd actually go with a handwritten note, use quality stationery and remember that penmanship counts. If your handwriting is truly bad use some WP program for the body but do sign it. If it's a a large company and you think a physical letter will get lost in the shuffle or go unread just go with the email. Think it through, save it as a draft and sleep on it a night before you send it. You'll always remember that "something else" that you wanted to say (or say differently).

And congratulations!

Does all that new wealth mean you're getting rid of the new Mito and getting an S2000 instead?

[stebo0728]

The best response is just keep busting your a**, dont puff smoke up your boss's bum, just show him you deserved the raise, and most likely deserve another down the road cause you work your a** off for him.

[frapjap]

I'd go along with Jesda's recommendation(s). I'd skip an actual gift, it not only might look bad to the recipients, but it will most certainly look bad to your peers - protect your reputation.

Without knowing the structure of your employer I'd say a well thought out and written email would be ok, but if there's a way to do it I'd actually go with a handwritten note, use quality stationery and remember that penmanship counts. If your handwriting is truly bad use some WP program for the body but do sign it. If it's a a large company and you think a physical letter will get lost in the shuffle or go unread just go with the email. Think it through, save it as a draft and sleep on it a night before you send it. You'll always remember that "something else" that you wanted to say (or say differently).

And congratulations!

Does all that new wealth mean you're getting rid of the new Mito and getting an S2000 instead?

Thanks for the kind words, aside from those who have read this and my lady friend, no one else knows and I'm not one to kiss and tell typically.

As for handwritten notes, I would need soooo many pieces of stationery paper to make my writing acceptable enough. The shipping department jokingly calls me "the doctor" because of my handwriting- EVEN when I TRY to clean it up. Brain moves faster than the hand or something. A letter wouldn't get lost and I would make the effort since hes very accessible, it just might be a little bit until I can deliver it due to his absence so I think email may (unfortunately) be best. I'd hate to have this seem like an afterthought because of the delay.

The Miata came from the EOY bonus, but only because I paid off my biggest student loan the same month, lol. I should and could have used it for many other things, but because I made such substantial payments on that loan every month and sacrificed so much in regards to quality of living, I needed to be good to myself before I went crazy. Though, knowing what I know/have now I could've bought a CPO Mustang GT. Buuuut, would probably never have pulled the trigger. So much time has been spent saving every dollar that I am hesitant to spend. So no, no S2000 or 370z. I'm pretending that I never got the boost and will appropiate the difference into my 401k and buy some more long term stocks- especially since the market crashed HARD this week Bad for most people, good for me!

[Amays U G37S]

I think you have given more then enough thanks for it, and I wouldn't think much more about it.

Your best bet is to go to Chik-Fil-A and get those little chicken breakfast biscuits for the office.

People enjoy that the most.

[frapjap]

I think you have given more then enough thanks for it, and I wouldn't think much more about it.

Your best bet is to go to Chik-Fil-A and get those little chicken breakfast biscuits for the office.

People enjoy that the most.

We don't have Chik-Fil-A in New England. It a damn shame.

[Amays U G37S]

HHAHAZHAH

Dunkin' donuts setup would be nice for one or two mornings within' a month. See if you can take a round-about order from your co-workers, and speak with your boss or your heirarchy to make sure that is ok.

If I was your boss, and just gave you a raise, I would love to see you bring in food for everyone and let everyone have a 'meal time' prior to the starting work hours.

Trust me, I wouldn't expect anything but the same from you, especially if I gave you a raise. Apparently If I thought you would be qualified for one, I wouldn't want anything in return, even if it was my business and my money. You were givin' a raise for a reason. It was a long thought out process, about who you are, the way you act, and what they expect, and what you can bring to the table. You are really thinking about this to hard to be honest. You have already recieved enough from their end, and you would not need to 'repay'.

If you deserve the raise, then you did. Thats the end of it. Seriously.

I don't just hand out free money to my employees. NOT EVEN MY FCKIN FAMILY BROSKI