Whether you’re leaving a job you loved or you’re waving off a respected colleague, goodbyes mark the end of an era. 2.1 million people left their job between February 2023 and February 2024 - that’s a lot of endings, new beginnings… and goodbyes. At some point, you’ll find yourself saying farewell to office besties, annoying co-workers, and distant managers - so you need to know how to compose a gracious farewell message to your colleagues. 

Why you should write farewell messages to colleagues 

Colleague farewell messages aren’t obligatory, by any means, but they do offer a memorable and positive end to a professional relationship. We’ve all had colleagues we’d rather see the back of, but we’ve also had colleagues that pick us up when we’re down, provide invaluable advice and support, or offer us new opportunities. All of these colleagues (yes, even those we’re glad to see the back of) deserve a farewell message. 

A farewell message to colleagues is more than just social politeness. It also ensures that, if you come across that person later in your career, they’ll retain a positive memory of you. They’re also a part of your professional network, able to provide references, recommend you for roles, or offer advice, as you can do for them. It’s much easier to ask for help if you’ve previously wished them well and thanked them for their contributions, rather than just letting the relationship fizzle out on departure day. For the colleagues we plan to stay in touch with, a farewell message is an acknowledgement of a new phase and can bridge the gap between the professional and the personal relationship. 

Top tips for writing a farewell message to colleagues

So you’ve decided to write a farewell message to a colleague? Bear these top tips in mind:

Choose your medium

Firstly, you’ll need to decide how to convey your message. A note in a card from the whole team will necessarily be shorter than a private email or a handwritten letter. You may even decide to stop by their desk and deliver the message verbally, or schedule a virtual coffee. However you choose to say goodbye, adapt the length, formality, and tone to the medium. 

Consider your relationship

While a manager may need to keep a professional distance, you can pen a more relaxed message to a colleague who you see as your partner in crime. Comedy might go down well with a close colleague, but less so with your boss’s boss. Heartfelt might work for some people, whereas with others you might need a more formal approach. 

Expert tip: However you choose to say goodbye, avoid writing anything you wouldn’t write in a formal business communication. 

Keep it positive

Now isn’t the time to air grievances. Goodbyes are a time of new beginnings, so whoever's leaving is bound to be feeling excited and apprehensive about their next steps. Keep the good vibes flowing so that the ending is as positive as the new beginning. 

Acknowledge next steps

If you’re the one leaving, you can wish your colleagues well in working with your replacement, completing a project, or taking over your workload. If it’s your colleague that’s departing, ensure you acknowledge their new adventure - whether that’s a new job, a baby, a return to education, or something else entirely. 

Show appreciation and gratitude

Thank your colleague! It sounds simple, but it’s easily forgotten in the hustle and bustle of a goodbye in a busy office. Ideally, use specific examples to show that you remember what a colleague has done for you. Maybe they’ve provided mentoring, saved you from missing a deadline, or even just helped you to stay sane in the midst of chaos. Give them a shout out for it. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and will remember the warm, fuzzy feeling you left them with. 

Think about the timing 

When will you deliver your farewell message to colleagues? You probably don’t need to give it too much thought, as a natural opportunity will probably arise. Whether you come into the office to a desk festooned with balloons, have a scheduled meeting with your boss, or take a moment in the afternoon to send a farewell email, as long as it’s done on the last day then you can’t go far wrong. 

Example farewell messages to colleagues

You know what to do now - but a few examples might be necessary to inspire you to write a short goodbye message to your colleagues. Below, we’ve provided some examples of funny, professional, and touching farewell messages to colleagues to help you along the way. 

Example farewell messages to a colleague who is leaving 

Example farewell messages to colleagues when you’re leaving 

Example farewell message to your boss

Say goodbye and leave on a high!

A goodbye message to a colleague is a thoughtful way to leave a professional relationship. After all, who knows when you might find yourself working together again? It need not be the end, though - why not connect on LinkedIn so that you can support each other throughout your careers? 

If you’ve sent a farewell message for a colleague and it’s got you thinking about your own next steps, we can help! Before you dive into the job search, let us advise on your CV. We offer free CV reviews, so that you can make the final changes necessary and send out a polished, professional application.