7 min readOleksii Sribnyi
Farewell messages for a colleague who's leaving
51 goodbye messages for a coworker moving to a new job, sorted by how well you know them.
Then how to write your own, and how to collect a message from the whole team.
A good farewell message is short, specific and warm. It names something the person did, says you'll miss them, and wishes them well. Copy the messages below, or swap in a detail of your own. For a colleague who is retiring, see these retirement messages.
A coworker you know a little
Keep it short and true. One thing you noticed about them is enough.
We didn't work together much, but every time we did, it was easy. Good luck in the new job.
Thanks for being so quick to help when I was new. Best of luck with what's next.
I'll miss bumping into you in the kitchen. Wishing you a great start at the new place.
Your new team is lucky. Good luck, and let's keep in touch.
Congratulations on the new role. You'll do great.
It was good working with you, even if it was mostly over email. All the best.
Thank you for the clear handover notes. Whoever takes over owes you one. Good luck.
A close work friend
Say you'll miss them, then make a real plan so the friendship outlasts the job.
I'm so happy for you and a little lost already. Who am I going to send memes to at 9:15 on a Monday?
You made this job so much better. New job or not, Friday drinks stay in the calendar.
You talked me through every bad day here. Now go do great things somewhere else, and text me how the first week goes.
Four years, three managers and one very long project later, I'm glad it was you next to me. I'll miss you.
It won't be the same walking into the office without you. I'm proud of you for taking the leap.
Promise me we won't become people who only like each other's posts. Dinner next month, and I'm booking it.
You're the reason I stayed through the rough year. Thank you, friend. They're lucky to have you.
Leaving me alone with the quarterly report is a bold move. I forgive you. Good luck.
A manager who's leaving
Thank them for one thing they taught you or did for you. It means more than praise.
Thank you for giving me a chance when my resume said I wasn't ready. I hope your next team knows how lucky it is.
You always told us the why, not just the what. I'll take that with me wherever I go.
Thank you for the honest feedback, even when I didn't want it. It made me better at this job.
You stood up for this team more times than we'll ever know. Thank you, and good luck with the new role.
I learned how to run a meeting, write a plan and say no politely, all from you. Thank you for all of it.
The best manager I've had. That's not flattery, it's just true. Good luck.
Our one-to-ones were the most useful half hour of my week. I'll miss them, and you.
Someone on your team
As their manager, name the work they did and what it changed for the team.
Losing you is a big hit for us and a big win for your new company. Thank you for three great years.
I've watched you go from asking every question to answering everyone else's. It's been a joy to see. Good luck.
Thank you for the work, the ideas and the patience with my long emails. You'll be missed.
You made the team better just by being on it. I'm sorry to see you go and very glad for you.
If the new job ever gets dull, you know where we are. Congratulations, and thank you.
You built the dashboard we all use every day. Every time I open it, I'll think of you.
Please take a real break between jobs. You've earned it, and the new place can wait a week.
Short lines for a group card
For a card that's already crowded, or a quick message in the team chat.
Good luck in the new job.
We'll miss you. Stay in touch.
Your new team is lucky to have you.
Thanks for everything. Go get them.
So long, and thanks for all the snacks.
Best of luck. Come back and visit.
Proud of you. Keep in touch.
The office will be quieter without you.
Light and funny
Joke about the job or the office, never about why they're leaving.
Congratulations on escaping. Please send the address so we can follow you.
We hope your new job has a better coffee machine. It does. We checked.
We're sad you're leaving, but we're already blaming you for everything that breaks next month.
Good luck at the new place. Remember us when you're famous, or at least when you have a bigger budget.
You were the only one who knew the Wi-Fi password. Please write it down before you go.
Leaving before the holiday party? Bold. We respect it.
Your new colleagues have no idea how many puns are coming. Good luck to them.
Moving abroad or far away
A new job in a new city is two big changes at once. Say you'll stay in touch.
A new job and a new country in the same month. That's brave. We'll miss you, and we expect photos.
Time zones won't stop the group chat. Good luck in Lisbon.
Good luck with the move. If you need someone to test the spare bed, I'm available.
Moving across the world for a job takes guts, and you have plenty. Safe travels.
Call us when you've found the best coffee in town. We want a full report.
I'll miss our walk to the station. Send me a voice note from your new commute.
Distance doesn't count when the group chat is this busy. Good luck out there.
How to write a farewell message
You don't need to be a good writer. You need one real detail, and the rest can be plain.
- Name one piece of work. The launch they ran, the process they fixed, the client they won back.
- Say what you'll miss. Their questions in meetings, the morning chat, the way they explained things.
- Wish them well in the new job. If you know the company or the role, mention it.
- Leave a way to stay in touch. A lunch date, a phone number, or a promise to visit, but only if you mean it.
Putting it together
Priya, the new onboarding guide you wrote is still the first thing every new starter reads. I'll miss our coffee before standup. Good luck at the new place, and lunch is on me next month. Marcus
Collect a message from everyone
Most people get a week's notice before a colleague leaves. Half the team works from home. The card never reaches everyone in time.
The ones who do sign it write “Good luck!” and pass it on. Three years of work together, and that's what gets said.
With a SendMyVoice voice form, you send one link to the team. Everyone records a short goodbye from wherever they are. No app, no account.
Good luck, Priya
The new team has no idea how lucky they are. Marcus
Lunch is still on, every month. Elena
Scan to record a message for Priya
Messages for Priya
Marcus Bell
Design team
“Three years of you fixing my slides at midnight. Whoever gets you next is very lucky.”
0:18 / 0:42
- Elena Ruiz0:31
- Tom Okafor0:57
- Sam Fischer0:22
You get every message with its words written out. Play them on the last day, and give your colleague the whole set to keep.
The team voice messages template is ready to go. Change the name and send it.
The free plan takes 10 messages a month, up to 1 minute each. For a bigger team, Pro is $6 a month for 200 messages, up to 5 minutes each.
Step 1 of 3
Your name, and how you know Sam
Tap to record. Up to 2 min.
Start from a template
Voice messages from the team
A message from everyone for a retirement, a farewell or a birthday.
- 1Your name, and how you know Sam
- 2Your message for Sam
- 3A favourite memory of working with Sam
Birthday voice messages
Voice messages from friends and family, played on the birthday.
- 1Your name, and how you know Maya
- 2Your birthday message for Maya
- 3A favourite memory with Maya
Audio guest book
A guest book of voice messages, recorded on any phone from a QR code.
- 1Leave us a message: a wish, a memory or your best advice.
- 2How do you know us?
Questions
What do you write in a farewell card for a colleague?
Thank them for one specific thing, say what you'll miss, and wish them well in the new job. Add a way to stay in touch if you mean it. Two or three sentences is plenty.
What is a short goodbye message for a coworker?
One line that sounds like you, such as "Your new team is lucky to have you" or "We'll miss you, stay in touch". Short lines work best on a crowded group card.
How do you say goodbye to a colleague professionally?
Mention a piece of work they did well, thank them for it, and wish them luck in the new role. Keep jokes and private details for a message you send them directly.
What do you write when your manager leaves?
Name one thing they taught you or did for you, such as honest feedback or backing the team. Thank them for it, and wish them well with the new team.
How can a remote team send a farewell message?
Send one link where each person records a short spoken message when it suits them. With a voice form, you get every message as a recording with a transcript, wherever people work.
Collect a goodbye from the whole team
Free plan, no credit card. No account to answer.