Farewell Message to Coworker | Tips & Examples

A farewell message to a coworker should be concise, sincere, and optimistic. It should show your audience that you’re grateful for their support and hopeful about the future. When you’re saying goodbye to a coworker, you might also share your contact information and encourage them to keep in touch.

With the 30+ tips and examples below, you’ll be well on your way to crafting the perfect farewell message. QuillBot’s AI Writer can also draft farewell messages that you can personalize before sending.

Farewell message tips

Whether it’s your last working day or your coworker is leaving, a farewell message at work should be sincere but professional. The style and tone of a farewell message don’t need to be as formal as your resignation letter, though. To strike that perfect balance, follow these tips.

1. Personalize the message with the audience’s name(s).
2. Express your gratitude for your time working together.
3. Compliment their professional strengths and contributions.
4. Say something positive about the future, even if it’s just a simple “good luck.”
5. Avoid slang words, sarcasm, and any content that might be perceived as negative.
6. End with a call-to-action to keep in touch, contact you about future opportunities, connect with you on LinkedIn, or something similar.

If you’re the person leaving, your goodbye message to colleagues on your last working day should also show that you’ll miss being part of their team.

Short goodbye message to colleagues

Sometimes a short goodbye message to colleagues is all you need. If you’re sending an IM or signing a farewell card for a coworker who is leaving, try something like one of these examples:

• I’m going to miss working with you, but I’m excited about your bright future!
• It’s been such a joy working alongside you. Good luck next week!
• I’ll miss your energy and insight, but I’m so happy for your new team. They are going to be so lucky to have you!
• Have fun celebrating your new adventures tonight, and best of luck in the coming weeks. Don’t be a stranger!
• Farewell and good luck! Your talent and kindness will be missed more than you know.
• I’m so happy to see you getting the success you deserve and will treasure our time working together.
• Everything you’ve done for this team and our clients has made a difference, and you should be proud!
• Wishing you success and happiness ahead!
• Thanks for all of the conversation and camaraderie! I’ll touch base with you in a couple of weeks.
• Wishing you all the best on your next adventure! You’ll be amazing wherever you go!

These examples work well for an employee who is texting or IMing goodbye on their last working day.

• Thanks for the great memories and support! I loved working with you and will be in touch after I get settled into my new job.
• It’s been a pleasure working with you and learning from you.
• Saying goodbye is hard, but I know you will all do great things and that this place is in very good hands.
• It’s been a joy to be part of your team, and I appreciate all of you for always having my back.
• Goodbye for now to the best coworkers I could have ever hoped for. I’ll be thinking of you all and cheering you on from afar.
• It’s been a great experience working with you! Thank you for all the support and laughs!
• Thanks for the memories and mentorship. I am so grateful for everything you have done for me!
• I truly appreciated my time here and the amazing people I worked with, especially you!
• Leaving isn’t easy, but I’m excited for what’s next and grateful for my time working with you.
• As I move onto my next chapter, I just want to say how grateful I am for everything I’ve learned here.

Heartfelt ways of saying goodbye to a coworker

When you’re saying goodbye to a coworker who’s worked closely by your side for a long time, your farewell message should be longer than a simple text, like these examples.

• I still can’t believe you’re leaving! I’m going to miss seeing you every day. Work won’t be the same without our daily chats and inside jokes. That said, nothing makes me happier than seeing you get the success you deserve!
• You’ve been my favorite sounding board and a true mentor, and you’re one of the best in the business. I’m so grateful for all of your support. You are going to absolutely thrive in your new role. Let’s keep this friendship going no matter where life takes us.
• It’s rare to find someone at work who truly “gets” you, and I feel so lucky for my time working with you. You’ve made every day brighter. I’m wishing you so much joy and success in your new journey. Please call, email, or text anytime. Best of luck at your new job next week!
• You’ve been such a huge part of my daily life, and it’s hard to imagine the office without you. I’m so proud of you for taking such a courageous leap (even though I’m super sad to see you go). This isn’t “goodbye”!
• Your friendship has been one of the best parts of my job. Your new coworkers are going to love your energy and enthusiasm, just like we all have here. Congratulations on landing your dream job. As much as I’m going to miss you, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Farewell email to coworkers

If you’re the employee who’s departing, you may need to write a farewell email to your whole team of coworkers. It’s a professional courtesy to remind everyone that it’s your last day and to leave instructions about who will be handling your work (if applicable and appropriate).

If you’d like access to any reply-all messages after your last day, CC your personal email address (but only if you’re comfortable with everyone having it).

Farewell message for coworker who is retiring

When someone at work is retiring, consider a message like one of these.

• Congratulations on your retirement! Your wisdom, patience, and deep insights have made a lasting impact on me. I’m wishing you lots of well-deserved fun, relaxation, and family time during this exciting new chapter.
• It’s hard to imagine the office without you! You’ve been such a steady and supportive presence, and I’m so thankful for your mentorship. Please keep in touch and let me know what I have to look forward to!
• I’m wishing you a joyful retirement, and I’m so excited to hear about your travels and hobbies. Thank you for showing me the ropes and helping all of us do our best.
• Congratulations on your retirement. You’ve had a remarkable career, and it has been an honor working for you and learning from you. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement!
• Thank you for everything you’ve shared with us. Here’s to happiness, peace, and new adventures!

Frequently asked questions about farewell messages to coworkers

What are some things to write in a coworker’s farewell card?

Some things to write in a coworker’s farewell card include:

• You’re going to do great things!
• Thanks for all of your support and mentorship.
• You’re amazing at what you do.
• I learned so much from you.
• It won’t be the same here without you.
• Congratulations on your new job!
• It was an honor to collaborate with you.

You only get one chance to sign a farewell card, though, so why not type your message first and run it through the QuillBot Grammar Checker? It will instantly spot errors in any type of farewell message to a coworker.

What are some funny farewell messages for work colleagues?

Funny farewell messages for work colleagues include:

• Have fun storming the castle!
• I’ll think of you every time I’m not on a Zoom call.
• See you when you come back to work for us next year!
• Who’s going to do all my work for me now?
• See ya’ later, Alligator!
• Take me with you!

Even when you’re being funny, typos are no joke, so why not run your messages through QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It will fix errors in any farewell messages for coworkers.