Workplace
What to write in a coworker farewell card
Name one real thing, keep it short and skip the drama about why they're leaving.
Five farewell messages that work for almost anyone
I'll miss working with you. Thanks for making hard days lighter. Wishing you a great next chapter.
Thank you for everything you brought to the team. Wishing you all the best ahead.
Congrats on what's next. 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
- What not to write in a farewell card
Why farewell cards stall
You want to sound glad for them without rewriting their career, roasting the company or promising to “stay in touch” if you won't. Keep it short and name one real thing if you can.
This page is wording only: what to write. Short, funny or heartfelt, pick the tone that matches how you actually worked together.
Heartfelt messages for a colleague you worked with closely
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Our best lines on one printable page
The free wording pack collects our favorite lines for cards and texts on a single page you can print or copy from.
Open the free wording packShould you consider sending more than words?
Sometimes, a few heartfelt words are exactly what someone needs to feel loved and supported. You don't have to do anything grand to make a difference. But if you'd like to go a little further, here are some thoughtful ways to show you care.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Thank You FlowersFor a colleague you worked with closely, a thank-you bouquet fits heartfelt words well.
(Florist One, opens in a new tab)Be Happy BouquetCheerful flowers go well with funny farewell messages and keep the mood light.
(Florist One, opens in a new tab)Leather Notebook JournalA good notebook suits the next chapter and is useful long after the farewell.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Retirement Journal or FrameA frame or journal holds memories of a long career and stays on the shelf for years.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Herbal Tea Gift SetAfter a layoff, a quiet and small gift is kinder than anything that celebrates a new beginning.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Desk Plant GiftA small plant for the new desk marks a move to another team without fuss.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Coffee Gift SetA coffee gift can be shipped easily to a remote teammate, wherever they are working.
(Amazon, opens in a new tab)Bright Days BouquetA cheerful bouquet carries a farewell text a little further than words alone.
(Florist One, opens in a new tab)Tranquil BouquetA calm bouquet says what a card should not, and says it without any words.
(Florist One, opens in a new tab)Related guides
This guide offers general etiquette and wording ideas. It is not medical, legal or counseling advice. See how we write these guides.