A little help for a big moment

What to write in a colleague’s farewell card

18 farewell message examples for a colleague, manager or work friend, with simple ways to make your goodbye personal.

By Gleekit · Updated 27 September 2026

A good farewell message says what you appreciated, includes one detail only you could add, and ends with a wish for what comes next. You don’t need a speech. Two or three sentences usually give you enough room.

A simple way to make it yours

Try: “Thank you for [something they did]. I’ll remember [a specific moment]. Wishing you [something that fits their plans].”

For example: “Thank you for walking me through my first client presentation. I still use the checklist you showed me. Wishing you a brilliant start with your new team.”

Short and warm

A few sincere lines are enough. Use these when the card is going around and you want to keep it simple.

  • Thanks for making this a lovely team to be part of. Wishing you a great start in your new role.
  • It’s been a pleasure working with you. We’ll miss you here, and I hope the next chapter treats you well.
  • Good luck with what comes next. Thank you for everything you brought to the team.

For a close work friend

Mention a shared routine or a memory that belongs to the two of you. Make sure you would be comfortable with other contributors reading it.

  • I came here for a job and got a friend too. I’ll miss our lunch walks and your perfectly timed commentary. Let’s keep the lunches, even if we lose the meetings.
  • You made the difficult days easier and the good days funnier. Thank you for being the person I could always turn to. Your new team has a lot to look forward to.
  • I’ll miss having you one desk away. Thanks for every pep talk, second opinion and coffee rescue. This is a goodbye to working together, not to our friendship.

For a manager or mentor

Name something they helped you learn. A specific example says more than calling someone an inspiring leader.

  • Thank you for trusting me with work I wasn’t yet sure I could do. Your patience and feedback helped me grow, and I’ll carry that confidence into my next projects.
  • I’ve learnt a lot from the way you listen before making a decision. Thank you for making room for my ideas and helping me improve them. Wishing you every success ahead.
  • Thank you for your guidance and for backing the team when it mattered. I’ve appreciated working with you and hope your next role brings you work you enjoy.

For someone you don’t know well

There is no need to pretend you were close. A kind, straightforward message is entirely appropriate.

  • We haven’t worked together much, but I’ve appreciated your friendly welcome whenever our paths crossed. All the best for your next role.
  • Wishing you a smooth start and plenty to enjoy in your next chapter. It’s been good to be part of the same team.
  • Thank you for your contribution here. I hope your next opportunity brings good colleagues and interesting work.

For retirement

Let the message follow their plans rather than making assumptions about their age, health or family.

  • Thank you for sharing your experience so generously. You’ve left us with a lot to build on. Wishing you time for the things you’ve been looking forward to.
  • It’s been a privilege working alongside you. I’ll miss your perspective and your stories. Enjoy making the next chapter your own.
  • You’ve made a lasting difference to this team. Thank you for the care you put into your work and the people around you. Wishing you a happy retirement.

A gentle joke

Use humour only if it fits your relationship. Avoid jokes about being fired, salaries, age or anything the recipient would need to explain.

  • Your new team gets your brilliant ideas. We get your abandoned mug. This does not feel like a fair exchange. We’ll miss you!
  • Congratulations on escaping our recurring meeting. We’ll miss your good sense, good humour and ability to find the unmute button.
  • I was going to write a very professional goodbye, but mostly I need to know who will remind me to take lunch now. Good luck, and keep in touch.

Before you sign

  • Replace a general compliment with something you actually noticed.
  • Use their preferred name and check the spelling.
  • If the departure is difficult or the next step is unknown, keep it kind: “I’ve valued working with you. Wishing you well for what comes next.”
  • Leave out confidential work details and personal information they haven’t shared publicly.

On Gleekit, a message can be up to 500 characters. You can edit it while signing is open: from the same browser as a guest, or from another device when it is saved to your account.

Collecting everyone’s messages? Read how to organise a group farewell card, then make the card.