Workplace
What to write in a coworker farewell card
Thank them, name one real thing they did, and wish them well, in two sentences or fewer. Skip speculation about why they are leaving. If you are unsure, “Thank you for everything. Wishing you all the best in what's next” works for a quit, a transfer or a layoff.
Five farewell messages that work for almost anyone
Thank you for everything. Wishing you all the best in what's next.
You made hard days lighter. I'll miss working with you.
Best of luck. We'll miss you.
Going to miss your terrible puns. Good luck out there!
Wishing you well in what's next. Congrats on the new chapter.
Jump to a situation
- Heartfelt messages for a colleague you worked with closely
- Funny farewell messages
- From a manager to a departing teammate
- For someone you barely know
- For a retiring coworker
- For a layoff or involuntary exit (be careful)
- For an internal move to another team
- For a remote teammate
- One line for a group card
- Farewell texts
- For the teammate you sat next to every day
- For someone you managed
- For a boss or leader who is leaving
- For someone starting a new job
- For someone going back to school, moving away or taking time off
- Tips for signing a farewell card as a group
- A note a few weeks later
- What not to write in a farewell card
Why farewell cards stall
Farewell cards stall because the situation is mixed: you may be happy for them, sad for yourself, or unsure why they are leaving. Pick one honest feeling and one thank-you and you are done. You do not need to explain, joke your way out of sadness or promise to stay in touch unless you will. “Thank you, and best of luck” is a complete farewell.
Heartfelt messages for a colleague you worked with closely
3 messages
I'll miss working with you. Thanks for making hard days lighter. Wishing you a great next chapter.
You made this team better, and I'm a better colleague for knowing you. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for always having my back. I'll miss you. Keep in touch if you can.
Funny farewell messages
3 messages
Only when you know the person's humor. When in doubt, go warm.
Going to miss your terrible puns. Good luck out there!
The coffee machine will never be the same. Best of luck!
Congrats on your escape, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
From a manager to a departing teammate
2 messages
Thank you for everything you brought to the team. We're better for your time here. Wishing you all the best ahead.
It's been a pleasure to work with you. You'll do great things.
For someone you barely know
3 messages
Wishing you well in what's next. Congrats on the new chapter.
Best of luck in your next role.
Wishing you all the best going forward.
For a retiring coworker
2 messages
Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for the years you gave here. Hope the next ones are restful and yours.
Happy retirement. You've earned every slow morning.
For a layoff or involuntary exit (be careful)
3 messages
Avoid cheerleading or “everything happens for a reason.” Keep dignity first.
Wishing you steadiness in this transition. Grateful for the work we shared. No need to reply.
You were a great colleague. I'm happy to be a reference anytime.
I'm sorry about how this went. Your work mattered here.
For an internal move to another team
2 messages
Congrats on the move. We'll miss you on this side. Glad you're still in the building.
Great news for you. We'll still see you around.
For a remote teammate
2 messages
Even from afar, it's been good working with you. Wishing you a smooth landing wherever you go next.
Thanks for everything, and best of luck.
One line for a group card
3 messages
Congrats and thank you. Wishing you all the best.
Best of luck, and thanks for everything.
We'll miss you. Wishing you the best.
Farewell texts
3 messages
Short enough to send in the elevator.
Congrats on what's next. Thanks for everything here. No long goodbye needed.
Wishing you well. Grateful we overlapped.
All the best in the next chapter.
For the teammate you sat next to every day
4 messages
I'm going to miss your terrible puns and your very good advice. In that order.
Work is quieter without you in the next seat. Thank you for making it better.
Thanks for being the person I could ask a silly question. Keep in touch.
The office plant is going to miss you more than the project. So will I.
For someone you managed
4 messages
It was a pleasure watching you grow. Thank you for everything you gave this team.
I'm proud of the work you did here. I'd gladly hire you again.
Thank you for your honesty and your effort. Wishing you a great next chapter.
You made my job easier. I'll be cheering from here.
For a boss or leader who is leaving
4 messages
Thank you for backing us when it counted. We'll carry what you taught us.
You made this a place people wanted to work. Thank you.
Wishing you every success. We're better for having worked for you.
Thank you for your leadership, and best of luck ahead.
See also: Retirement card messages
For someone starting a new job
4 messages
Congratulations on the new role. They're lucky to have you.
Go be great somewhere new. We'll be proud and a little jealous.
I'm happy for you and sad for me. Best of luck.
You're leaving us for a better coffee machine, I assume. Congratulations.
For someone going back to school, moving away or taking time off
4 messages
Good luck with the next stage. We're excited to see where it takes you.
Wishing you a smooth move and a warm welcome wherever you land.
Rest well and take all the time you need. Your seat will be here whenever you want it.
Enjoy every minute. Come back with stories.
Tips for signing a farewell card as a group
Keep it short and make it personal so the card is a pleasure to read, not a stack of the same sentence.
- Read the other notes first so you do not repeat them.
- Add one specific memory or lesson, even a small one.
- Sign with your name and, if it helps, your team.
- Skip inside jokes the recipient's family or future coworkers would not follow.
- If the departure is difficult, stay warm and neutral; say thank you and best wishes only.
A note a few weeks later
Sending a short message after they leave means more than any card line. Try: “Hope the new place is treating you well. No need to reply; just thinking of you.”
What not to write in a farewell card
Skip these, even when they feel funny in the moment.
- Roasts about the boss, HR or “escape”Can follow them (and you) in screenshots. Keep it kind and portable.
- “Sorry you're leaving us in a bind”Makes their exit about your inconvenience.
- Empty “stay in touch!” with no intentFine if true; otherwise a warm goodbye is enough.
- Pressure to disclose why they're leavingNot your card's job. Respect privacy on layoffs or conflict.
- Overlong life advice or “you'll regret this”They already decided. Celebrate the next step, lightly.
- “I'm so jealous you get out.”Turns their moment into a comment on the job.
- “What will we do without you?”Puts their guilt on the card. Say what you will miss instead.
- Speculating about the reason they are leavingGossip in ink. Stay with thanks and good wishes.
Tips for signing a group card
Read what's already on the card so you don't repeat it. Add one specific memory if you can. Sign your name so it's obvious who wrote it, and leave the chip-in conversation to the organizer.
Before you send it
- Start the card early. The last day always arrives sooner than people expect.
- If they're leaving after a layoff, keep it to thanks and good wishes. No "exciting new chapter".
- Add a personal email or LinkedIn only if they've shared it with the team.
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