I shall preface this by saying that I spent 37 years working for the government and performance bonuses were rare to non-existent, but if one earned a bonus, it was usually presented in a ceremony - at least places where I worked.
I retired in 2011, and have had some temp gigs since then, and I’m currently employed full time doing a job I really enjoy. I’ve never gotten any feedback from my bosses, altho I did get a nice raise on my work anniversary.
Today’s mail brought a very generous check with a letter from the president of the company regarding my first year or so, citing specific things I worked on, so it’s not just a generic “Good job” letter. Obviously someone started the process for me to get the bonus.
My immediate boss hasn’t been here very long, so I have to guess it was his boss, the VP for Engineering. Regardless, I want to thank all concerned, and especially the Prez who signed the letter and the check. I figure I’ll ask my boss on Monday if he had anything to do with it - that’s the easy part. But now my question, since I’m new to this particular world of employment:
Would it be acceptable to send a thank-you email to the Prez? Or a hand-written note? It’s not a huge company, and he does know who I am. But I don’t want to do something gauche. However, I do want him to know I appreciate the recognition.
We were just at the company picnic today and he came over to talk to my and my husband - had our mail come earlier, I’d have thanked him in person without hesitation. However at work it’s not so simple - our company is spread over 4 different locations, and I don’t work in the same building as the Prez, so our paths don’t usually cross.
I say send a note. I’d put the emphasis more on the fact the bonus was in recognition for the work I did rather than on the dollar amount of the check.
First though ask your boss about it. If he knows that the VP Engineering put the bonus in motion, then send a separate note to the VP (i.e., “I understand that you were instrumental in getting me the bonus. I want to thank you for that and tell you how gratifying it is to have my work recognized. Acme Manufacturing is a wonderful place to work, in part because the efforts of employees are noticed by management.” OK, not worded very well, but you get the idea.) Obviously, if your boss says that he put you in for the bonus, thank him then and there, and then send him a note.
If your boss doesn’t know how it came about, then mention in the letter to the CEO that you’d also like to thank anyone who championed you.
I’ve only worked at small companies so I always knew the guy who signed my paycheck and every year I got a bonus I was sure to go and thank the owners. Even the lean years when it was small. They don’t owe me a bonus so I appreciated it.
ETA: in your case a thank you e-mail seems appropriate to me but you should thank someone.
I sent him an email this morning, and I got a nice response minutes later. The company is a family affair - the prez is one of the founder’s sons, and all of his brothers, one sister, several in-laws and several grandkids all work there. They pride themselves on knowing all the employees, and I guess I’m particularly known because my husband is one of their senior engineers.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments. I used your advice to craft my note. Thanks!!