While job satisfaction is very important, one of the reasons why one seeks employment is for the salary and perks that come with it. And after you have put in a few years of hard work, it is natural that you will expect a raise in your salary or a promotion.
A raise shows that your employer appreciates your work and will give you what you deserve. As years go by, you learn on the job, acquire more experience and upgrade yourself by doing more courses. As a result, you can do more for the company and be better at your job.
The salary raise shows that your employer appreciates your contribution, incentivizing you to perform better. It’s one of the biggest reasons employees strive to improve, and those who do not get the raise on time feel demotivated.
If you have a boss who appreciates your contribution, you should thank them. It helps with better communication and also helps you build a better rapport with your boss. You will also feel good about it. After all, showing appreciation can be as satisfying as receiving it.
Why is it Important to Thank Your Boss For a Raise?
Many employees assume there is no need to thank their boss for getting a raise because they are entitled to it. That is true in some respects. Every company should have some increment policy that ensures the employees’ growth.
Such a policy also clarifies what to expect if employees continue to perform well. They have something to look forward to at the end of the year and work diligently towards it.
However, not all employers are the same. Some toxic employers will deny the employees what is truly theirs. They will not give them a raise, defer their promotions, and will not acknowledge the hard work they put in. It leaves the employees disgruntled and prompts them to seek a new job elsewhere.
Hence, although your boss is giving you what you rightfully deserve, you should still take a moment to thank your boss. It cannot hurt to show you are aware of their just nature and professional attitude.
Should You Thank Your Boss For a Raise?
It would be best to thank your boss after getting a raise. That is a part of professional courtesy. You do not have to go overboard with the thank you note; you can keep it simple and professional.
Keeping your thank you note small is better if your employer has a strict and formal attitude. In addition, a quick verbal thank you when you see them next is also okay.
In some cases, the raise happens on time. While in some other cases, your boss gives you a raise when you ask for it. Hence, if your boss has listened to and respected your wishes, you must thank them for showing gratitude.
How to Thank Your Boss For a Raise?
Saying “thank you” may seem easy, but it can be tricky professionally. You would want to avoid being seen as someone going overboard with thanks or trying to be in the good books of your boss. Here is what you can do.
- Understand the kind of person your boss is. Are they very friendly with employees, or do they maintain a strict exterior and maintain distance?
- Do not make your “thank you” note longer than five lines. You do not want to sound too profuse, as it will seem like you were not expecting a raise and will end up underestimating your value.
- Be sure to thank your boss immediately. If you get an update about your raise in the morning, thank them by the same evening. If you learn about it at the end of the day, thank your boss the next morning.
- If you are sending an email, mention your name and designation. If your raise were part of the annual increment, many others would be doing the same, and you do not want your “thank you” note lost in a sea of emails.
- Refrain from going into personal reasoning about why the raise will help you. For example, do not say that you needed the raise for a new apartment you are looking at. Keep your note impersonal.
- Refrain from talking or asking when you might get your next raise. Please show your appreciation for the raise you got at present and leave it at that. If you have any questions regarding the raise, like whether it comes with added perks, ask them separately later.
Tips to Help You While Writing a Thank You Note
Writing a “Thank You” email is easy enough, but it is still better to keep a few things in mind while thanking your boss.
1. Write a Hand-Written Note
While emailing your boss may look like the easiest way of communication, writing a note by hand adds a more personal touch. Instead of tying it out, you can write your note on a sheet of paper, put it in an envelope and leave it on your boss’s desk, or hand it to them.
It will be a welcome change from all the text messages and emails your boss is mostly used to getting, which will make their day. It shows that you had taken the time and effort to do something different for them.
2. Use Appropriate Language
You may have a good rapport with your boss, but it is important to remember your language in the note. Don’t use big and eloquent words to impress your boss. That will only mean you are trying to go overboard to please them.
In the same way, please use only a few words of praise about how excellent they are as your employer. Please remember that the simplest note will leave the greatest mark.
3. Do Not Go Into The Details
While you should mention your name and designation at the end of the letter, do not go into a lot of detail about the promotion. For example, there is no need to say how much your previous salary was and how much raise you got. Also, don’t talk about the details of your new designation.
It would be best if you were mindful about not bringing up the raises and perks of any of your colleagues. Thank your employer and keep it at that.
4. Maintain a Simple Layout
Like your note, keep the overall layout simple. Do not use a heavily designed card template to send the note. Write the email as you would, and you can say “thank you” in the subject line.
Your thought will count more than any of your added gestures. In addition, proofread your note and make sure it is grammatically correct.
Should You Say Thank You Even If You Are Not Happy With The Raise?
Yes, you should say “thank you” to your boss even if you are unhappy with the raise.
You may have received the raise after asking for it, or it might have been the annual increment policy. It could be that you were expecting a 20% increase in your salary, but you found out that you only received 10%. That is bound to leave you disappointed.
However, your first step should always be to thank your boss. Of course, it is understandable that your gratitude may not be as heartfelt as it should have been, given the circumstances.
Once you have expressed gratitude for the raise, you can speak to them later about the increment you were expecting and discuss it separately. Do not mention it in the “thank you” note. It will seem very unprofessional.
Examples of Thank You Notes
Here are a few examples of thanking your boss after getting a raise. You can personalize it to your circumstances.
Example 1 (Formal Note)
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I hope you are well.
I received an email from the HR office about the raise this morning. Thank you, and I appreciate the increment. I plan to keep doing my best in the future.
Thank you and regards
(Your name and designation)
Example 2 (Informal Note)
Hello Steve,
I hope you are doing well.
I appreciate the hike in salary. I just got a call from Maria in HR, and she filled me in on the other perks that come with the hike. I plan to keep on doing well.
Thanks again. You are the best!
(Your name and designation)
Conclusion
Everyone loves to be appreciated occasionally, and your employer is no different. While they must look after the well-being of their employees and be mindful of their growth, they feel good if the employees also show their appreciation in turn.
