Simple Thank-You Notes for Coworkers, Colleagues, Bosses & Business Friends

By Billie •  Updated: 02/07/20 •  8 min read

Sometimes proximity makes the heart grow fonder.

Coworkers: you love them, and sometimes you barely tolerate them, but the fact remains that many of us have closer relationships with our coworkers than we do with many of our blood relatives.

Rarely is there a clear separation between Work and Life. It is only fitting that we want to thank our colleagues for being there for us, both during work-related breakdowns and celebrations, and for those life-changing events beyond the professional realm.

Earnest Appreciation Messages For Work Colleagues

You did something that was beneficial to me, so I bought you this card. We're even now.

Thank You For Covering Absence / Maternity Leave

You’ve been away from work and in your absence, your co-workers graciously helped by covering for you and picked up the slack. Now you have returned and all is well, so how do you adequately thank your boss and co-workers for covering for you while on leave?

Your first thought might be “Donuts!” Sometimes that is the answer, but often these days food is problematic with people being on random diets.

So what about gift cards? Unless you want to support Bezos and Amazon, it is hard to choose since no one has the same interests, and gift cards for coffee seem so impersonal (plus some people don’t drink coffee).

Here are some ideas for thanking your coworkers for covering for you while you were away on leave:

How to Write a Year-End Thank You Message to Work Colleagues

For 2020 specifically, you may thank colleagues who have continued to make personal sacrifices to remain loyal and work with you through the pandemic, as well as employees, vendors and partners who’ve stuck with you.

If you are a business owner, your letter to employees and clients should be one of hope and assurance you’re ready to do business with them again, whenever they are able, and outline how you are supporting those most served by your work.

Personalize and express your gratitude for your colleague’s specific contribution, and the trust they have placed in your company.

Don’t dwell on the negatives in your thank you message, but to ignore the pandemic’s effects would be disingenuous. Acknowledge the disruption, wish your work family and donors and stakeholders good health and economic resilience, and move on to the rest of your message.

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”

Leonardo da Vinci

Funny Coworker Messages & Memes

I don't think of you as a coworker because you never do any work.
“I never think of you as a coworker because you never do any work.”
You're my favorite coworker and not just because I hate everyone else who works here.
“You’re my favorite coworker and not just because I hate everyone else who works here.”
I'm so glad you work here so I have someone to talk to every day about quitting.
“I’m so glad you work here so I have someone to talk to every day about quitting.”
I don't always tolerate stupid people. But when I do, I'm probably at work.
“I don’t always tolerate stupid people. But when I do, I’m probably at work.”
Welcome to the company.
“Welcome to the company.”
It was a pleasure working with you on that weird, pointless project.
“It was a pleasure working with you on that weird, pointless project.”
Thanks for covering for me when I'm on vacation and also when I'm in the office.
“Thanks for covering for me when I’m on vacation and also when I’m in the office.”
I'm just sending you this ecard during a meeting so it looks like I'm doing something.
“I’m just sending you this ecard during a meeting so it looks like I’m doing something.”

Thank Co-workers for the Birthday Wishes [Funny]

I'd like to thank each and every one of my coworkers for going through the motions of signing my birthday card.
“I’d like to thank each and every one of my coworkers for going through the motions of signing my birthday card.”

Funny Encouragement from Boss [Memes]

When work feels overwhelming, remember that you're going to die.
“When work feels overwhelming, remember that you’re going to die.”
I want you all to know that because of your hard work all year, I got a bigger bonus.
“I want you all to know that because of your hard work all year, I got a bigger bonus.”
As long as this isn’t your co-worker.

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Billie

I like to climb mountains, read Nietzsche, and explore the West Coast. I have a BA from York University (2003) in Toronto, Canada, and yet on this site I sometimes spell like an American (know your audience). Thank you. Thank you very much.

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