How to say farewell to a colleague: 35 ways to say goodbye

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.

Cultivating work relationships

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.

Why is it important to say goodbye?

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.

35 messages to say farewell to a colleague 

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:

1. "I'm going to miss seeing you around the office. I wish you all the best with your new company and future endeavors!"
2. "Good luck with your new job! You were always such a great team member to have around and work with. I'll miss your positive attitude and funny stories."
3. "Thank you for being such an important part of our team these past few years. We couldn't have accomplished what we did without you!"
4. "Your new job is lucky to have such a hard worker like yourself. Your problem-solving skills taught me a lot about the industry and inspired me to improve my own. We will miss you!"
5. "Great leaders like yourself impact their workplace, and it's obvious that you’ve touched a lot of people. Thank you for your dedication and hard work."
6. "I'll never forget how patient and understanding you were with me when I first started working here. I appreciate your kindness throughout the years and your dedication to employee wellness. We will miss you!"
7. "Working with a team member like you was so eye-opening — I learned a ton. Good luck with your new position. I know you'll teach them many important things like you did here!"
8. "I'll always think of you when we have problems with Zoom because you were always the person to call for tech help! Thank you for being a wonderful presence. I wish you good luck moving forward."
9. "Great team members like yourself make working the overnight shift easier! Thanks for all your help."
10. "I'll miss you when I take my lunch breaks. You always knew how to cheer me up and keep morale high."
11. "You've been an incredible mentor to me this last year, and I'll always appreciate the time you took to help me understand things and grow. I'll miss you."
12. "Being desk buddies with you has taught me a lot! I'm grateful for your strong work ethic and inspiration. Thank you for all the great times."
13. "Keep up all the awesome work at your new job! I know you'll continue to motivate others to reach their goals and be a positive role model. We’ll miss your kindness."
14. "Your fearless leadership guided us through challenging moments, and you always ensured everyone was practicing self-care in and out of work. Thank you, and I'll miss you dearly."
15. “It’s hard to say goodbye to a colleague who has become such an essential part of our team. I hope your new coworkers know how lucky they are to have you. We will miss you!”
16. “Wishing you all the best in your new adventure. Thank you for being such an incredible colleague and friend.”
17. “I will miss your infectious energy and can-do attitude. It has been great working side-by-side with you these last few years. Thank you for everything.”
18. “I know you’re going to nail this new chapter of your life. You deserve all the best! Thank you for your hard work and always being there for the team.”
19. “You’ve been a great friend and confidante. We will all miss you and your incredible presence.”
20. “Though we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, I always appreciated your commitment to teamwork. Good luck in your new job.”
21. “It’s difficult to express how much the team will miss you. Thank you for always bringing your A-game!” 
22. “I’m so excited about this new opportunity. You’ve earned it! Thank you for being such an inspiration, and good luck on your next adventure.”
23.  “I hope you know you’ve left an incredible impact on our team that we’ll feel long after you leave. Thank you for your hard work, thoughtfulness, and kindness.”
24. “Saying goodbye feels like losing a member of the family. It’s been an honor to work alongside you and learn from your work ethic, generosity, and passion. I know you’ll do great on your new journey.”
25. “You’re truly a special person. Your support and encouragement helped me in ways that I can’t express in words. Thank you for everything.”
26. “I wish we had more opportunities to work together. Best of luck with your new company!”
27.  “Sharing a cubicle with you made every day worthwhile! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face. We will miss you.” 
28. “Working with such a great leader has changed the way I look at my job. Thank you for illuminating the path. Good luck with this new opportunity.”
29. “You’ve been the best colleague and friend I could’ve ever asked for. I will always appreciate the kindness and generosity you showed me.”

How to say farewell to a colleague you weren’t close to

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.”

What is the best way to say farewell to a colleague?

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:

1. Send a card or gift

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.

2. Say it in person

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.

3. Throw a farewell party

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.

4. Send an email or message

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.

For the future: tips to consider when saying goodbye

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:

• Keep your message personalized, positive, and uplifting
• Exchange contact information, like phone numbers or LinkedIn profiles, to keep in touch
• Don't craft a message that’s too long or off-topic
• Don't be afraid to be vulnerable

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. 

Send them off on the right note

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.