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Cultivating work relationships
Why is it important to say goodbye?
35 messages to say farewell to a colleague
What’s the best way to say farewell to a colleague?
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Jump to section
Cultivating work relationships
Why is it important to say goodbye?
35 messages to say farewell to a colleague
What’s the best way to say farewell to a colleague?
Finding the right words to say farewell to a colleague is never easy. You want to express your respect, sense of loss, and well-wishes all at once.
Even if you weren’t close, saying goodbye to a colleague who is leaving and wishing them well on their new journey is a touching gesture that they’re sure to appreciate.
Starting a new chapter in your professional life is exciting and scary, and your words can fill them with the self-confidence they need to march into their new adventure.
Anyone can say goodbye, but few know how to deliver a carefully crafted farewell message that helps a valued colleague embrace their next opportunity. Here’s how to send your colleague off with integrity and care, whether they were your work bestie or a new coworker who you haven’t worked with closely.
Nothing makes saying goodbye to a departing coworker you’ve come to appreciate, or who has even become a great friend, any easier. You spend countless hours building good working relationships and teamwork skills, and then that person leaves.
Even if your colleague’s next job is a dream come true and you’re excited for them, it’s normal to feel a little down when you’re losing a friend at work. But it’s a good habit and a compassionate move to say your goodbyes and put some thought into your message.
Goodbye messages are a part of any work (or life) experience, and sending one is the perfect opportunity to wish your favorite coworker — or even the one who can be difficult to work with — your best as they embark on a new opportunity.
Everyone wants to feel appreciated and like they left a mark on a workplace before navigating the offboarding process and moving on to a new role.
Aside from the importance of maintaining professional relationships, writing a coworker farewell letter gives a sense of closure, both to you and the colleague leaving. It’s here that you get the chance to express gratitude for everything this person has accomplished. This is your final opportunity to show how grateful you are for what they brought to the team — or to you personally.
Studies have shown that a proper goodbye can be a motivator for continued success. People who get a proper sendoff from their colleagues have an easier, more positive transition into their next position. Saying goodbye to friends at work, as it turns out, is actually one of the best things you can do to help them start a new job on the right foot. And you owe it to your colleagues to set them up for a bright future.
If you didn’t get a chance to give your colleague a proper goodbye on their last day, it’s not too late. Consider sending a message to their personal email address. It’ll brighten their day as they onboard into a new job.
When pondering how to say goodbye to coworkers, you don’t need to get too creative. These situations are all about expressing your feelings and wishing someone well, not showy gestures that overwhelm your colleague. Brevity can be more impactful in emotional situations.
If you’re stuck, here are 35 example messages you can tweak for your departing coworker:
Just because you weren’t friends, or even acquaintances, with a colleague doesn’t mean you can’t bid them farewell. Here are some ways to address a coworker you didn’t know well:
30. “Although we weren’t able to work together as much as I’d liked to, I appreciate our time together. Best wishes in all your future endeavors.”
31. “While we didn’t get the chance to work together closely, I hope that this new opportunity is everything that you’re looking for. Best of luck!”
32. “Thank you for being such a great leader. Your dedication to everyone’s success has been such an inspiration.”
33. "Take care of yourself. I can't wait to see what you do in the next chapter of your career! All the best."
34. “I hope your new promotion is everything you want and more! You deserve the best.”
35. “Kudos on the new position! You’re going to do amazing.”
People like to know hard work is appreciated. Whether delivering on a team project, displaying strong leadership skills, or going above and beyond on a specific task, these are things you should acknowledge. When thinking through what to say when someone leaves a job, recognizing what they’ve accomplished or how they’ve inspired you is a safe place to start.
Finding the best way to express your goodbye might seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are four ways to extend your farewell message that are both professional and moving:
A simple farewell card or gift says a lot. You have the opportunity to write a farewell note of your own or have other colleagues join in. It's also a nice keepsake for the coworker leaving. They can take it with them wherever they go next, and it'll remind them of their time at your company.
A card or farewell gift is handy for colleagues who you might not know very well. It doesn't have to be ultra-personalized, but it still sends a message of gratitude — especially if your whole team contributes.
You want to say goodbye in person if the colleague is someone special to you. Sharing a farewell message to a colleague in private often reflects your relationship: it's personal. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share how you feel about them leaving, but avoid making the conversation about you. This could be a difficult time for them. Don’t let your feelings overwhelm the exchange.
Put together some decorations and order a cake or other treat. Get your colleagues together to laugh and reflect on this person’s time with the company. Unwind. Relax. And above all else, enjoy your time together. It’s these moments you’ll miss most when they’re gone.
Whether at the office in the break room, restaurant, or local pub, get a few friends together and celebrate their departure. If you work remotely, a group Zoom or virtual game night will let you connect from afar. Send them off with positive memories of your time together.
Remote work environments require you to get creative. Maybe you can't come together in person, but you can still wish your colleague the best. A farewell email or Slack message is a solid alternative to meeting face-to-face, but you can also arrange a video call if you’re close.
You can also fire off a personal email. There’s nothing wrong with dropping a few paragraphs in someone’s inbox detailing what you enjoyed about your time together and what you’ll miss when they’re gone. It’s also a great way to exchange contact information to keep in touch.
Saying farewell isn’t always easy. Colleagues often make meaningful contributions to your life, even if you’ve only known them for a short time. These are the people outside your immediate family or roommates that you spend the most time with, after all.
When wishing a colleague farewell, here are a few final considerations:
On the flipside, if you’re the one leaving your current role or retiring, there are different tips for writing a strong goodbye email to coworkers on your last day.
Regardless of what you say or how you say it, your soon-to-be former coworker will appreciate you taking the time to reach out on their last day. You’ll express your best wishes and give them the confidence they need to perform well in their next chapter, whether that’s taking time off or starting a new position. So don’t be shy — say farewell to your colleague.
BetterUp is here to guide you from one chapter to the next. Embrace your new beginning with personalized coaching.
BetterUp is here to guide you from one chapter to the next. Embrace your new beginning with personalized coaching.
Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships.
With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.
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