After a heartbreaking decision to close your office, it is time to make an announcement especially to your employees. It can be done through an announcement letter. An announcement letter should be written concisely and straight forward. It contains

important information that that the reader has to know easily and quickly.

You have to select your words properly and you have to state the facts. To announce an office or store closing to employees is bad news. It should contain no-nonsense statement and must show understanding and project optimism. This kind of letter connotes sadness to the employees.

However, it should express gratitude and concern to all devoted and loyal employees. Below is a sample letter on how to announce an office or store closing to employees.

SAMPLE

November 25, 2010

NotNow Corporation
1234 Narrow Road
Rainbow, SD 10987

Dear NotNow Team Members:

Due to the economic turndown, we regret to inform you that our company will be closing down on December 31, 2010. This decision is no way a reflection of your individual performance. You have been an asset to the company in all the challenges we have faced, and the management team are very grateful for that.

Our Accounting department prepared a separation package for all. A separate detailed announcement on the computation package formula will be released by the Accounting Head today. I would like to invite everyone as well for a general assembly at 2:00 pm in the afternoon to discuss all your concerns regarding this matter.

Indeed, it was a pleasure working with all of you. Thank you for all he wonderful years we’ve spent together in this company.

Sincerely,

John Smith

NOTE:

The above announcement letter is a suggested initial step for you to announce that your business is closing down. Make sure that once you released this announcement, you have carefully prepared your answers for all the probable questions that might be raised. Don’t disclose information to outsiders especially to media before your people.

Remember that one of the most important stakeholders in your company is your employees who deserve to be respected and treated humanely. Clear whatever rumors or issues that have been spreading in the organization.

This kind of announcement is probably the most hard to accept hear and accept on the part of the employees. To make it easier to your employees, offer suggestions and help. This is the only way you can repay for their dedication and loyalty to the company.