Complain About an Employee Who Has Given Poor or Offensive Service • Letter Templates and Guides

How to write this letter:

1	Identify the employee in question, and state all the relevant facts concerning the case.
2	Include any suggestions you may have about rectifying the situation.
3	Assure the reader of your willingness to cooperate if any action needs to be taken against the employee, and express your confidence that the reader will handle the situation appropriately.

Guides

Write this letter in a calm, controlled tone. Expressing too much emotion will weaken your position. Avoid insulting the employee, but accurately describe what he or she did or said that merits a complaint. Since your letter focuses on a single individual, avoid making generalizations about the company or organization.

English Letters

Spanish Letters

Example Letter #1

I think you should be aware of the language that one of your employees is using in the children's shoe department. His identification tag shows the name John. I was shocked to hear him repeatedly refer to some children with words such as "bastards" or "dwarfs." I couldn't believe my ears. He seemed to think it was funny. I don't know how many people he has offended, but I found it so offensive that I don't want to go into that part of the store again.

I personally feel he has no place interacting with the public when he lacks the most basic sense of propriety and kindness. Whatever action you decide to take, my daughter and I are certainly willing to act as witnesses.

Example Letter #2

For several weeks I have experienced such rude treatment from one of your tellers that I refuse to tolerate it any longer. Each time I try to make a transaction through Ms. Doe, she acts as though I were an annoyance. In one instance, she said she has "no patience in dealing with such petty transactions."

I trust that you will speak to her about polite customer service. If she continues to have this attitude, I will move my accounts to another bank. Customers are not an annoyance; we are the ones who pay her salary.

Example Letter #3

This afternoon I phoned your business for help. A woman identifying herself as Jane Doe answered the phone and proceeded to talk in a most rude and vulgar manner. The words she used are commonly referred to by their first letter by people with manners. I doubt that she is typical of your employees; however, I think that someone should talk to her soon before your business suffers. All of us need to learn something new occasionally. I guess it is her turn.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1

Identify the employee in question, and state all the relevant facts concerning the case.

Example Sentences for Step 1

This morning, my wife rang for assistance. A full ten minutes passed before a nurse named Jane finally showed up, acting as if she had been put to great inconvenience. She was rude to my wife and did not help her back into bed. The incident disturbed both of us. I felt I should inform you. As I was shopping in your store yesterday, I overheard two employees, Jake and Thomas, laughing and making obscene remarks about some of the customers in the store. I have appreciated your courteous service through the years and doubt that you would condone such behavior from your employees. Recently, one of your representatives, John Doe, came over to my apartment to drop off some information I had requested. I became very upset at his persistent unwanted advances and asked him to leave my apartment. I understand and appreciate your bank's policy on quick service. I was, however, not impressed with the abrupt way your teller, Jane Doe, served me this morning. After cashing a check at the window, I asked her if she would verify my savings balance. She told me with some exasperation to wait and then retrieved the information. She then called "Next, please," before I had a chance to look the statement over to see if I had any questions. While your helper was spraying my lawn this morning, my cat slipped out of the house onto the lawn. Instead of stopping the spraying so I could retrieve the cat before it became contaminated with the insecticide, your employee deliberately sprayed my cat. I was very upset and feared that my cat might become ill from his malicious behavior. Enclosed is the bill for examination and treatment by our veterinarian.

Example Phrases for Step 1

against health regulations am extremely dissatisfied with am appalled that as I was shopping in your store considerable time passed before disturbed me so much that doubt that you would countenance such behavior doubt that you would condone doubt that you would approve of expect better treatment from expect professional behavior from feel I should direct your attention to feel that I should inform you feel that you should know have always appreciated your have always been pleasant have always been pleased with merits a complaint need to take corrective action need to call your attention to need to behave professionally should not be allowed to should be brought to your attention the rude behavior of think I should direct your attention to this malicious behavior was not happy with the way your was most disappointed by will not tolerate such behavior wish to draw your attention to

2

Include any suggestions you may have about rectifying the situation.

Example Sentences for Step 2

Please remind Mr. Doe of the impropriety of making unwanted advances. If he ever approaches me again in a similar manner, I will press sexual harassment charges. I trust you will speak to this nurse about the importance of prompt service as well as sensitivity in responding to patients' requests. Perhaps your employees in the lumber department need a reminder that not everyone knows what a joist is. Please ask them to be more patient with clients who have questions. While I wholeheartedly support your policy of quick service, I think the teller in question should be reminded that every customer deserves to have his or her question answered with courtesy. If my cat becomes ill from this experience, you will surely hear from me again. Please cancel my contract for future sprayings.

Example Phrases for Step 2

3

Assure the reader of your willingness to cooperate if any action needs to be taken against the employee, and express your confidence that the reader will handle the situation appropriately.

Example Sentences for Step 3

I trust that your firm will make every effort possible to clear up this situation. If you need me to testify concerning Dr. Doe's medical practices, I am willing to do so. I am confident that you will inform Mrs. Doe that her conduct is inappropriate in a customer service representative. I trust that with our next child, my wife will have a more pleasant stay in your facility. I trust that you will ensure that such incidents do not occur again. I hope this letter will ultimately benefit you. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. I trust that if I shop in your store in the future, I will not overhear such comments again. I would like to continue doing business with your firm, but not through Mr. Doe.

Example Phrases for Step 3

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