For a coworker's farewell card, start with what you will remember about working together. A small, true thank-you is often easier to write than a grand goodbye: the explanation they stayed to give you, their careful feedback or the lunch breaks you enjoyed.
A new role, retirement, redundancy and a private change in circumstances do not call for the same message. Follow the person's lead and use only the details they have chosen to share.
Short farewell messages
- Thank you for being such a thoughtful colleague. I have really enjoyed working with you.
- Wishing you well for what comes next. I am glad we had the chance to be on the same team.
- Your help with the handover meant a lot to me. Thank you, and take care.
- It has been a pleasure working alongside you. You will be missed at our table.
- Thank you for the time, patience and good conversations. All the best for your next chapter.
These are original examples. Change the details, or leave them out if you do not know the person well.
A warmer goodbye for a close teammate
Maya, thank you for the calm explanations, honest feedback and excellent lunch recommendations. Working with you has been a real pleasure. I would love to keep our occasional coffee catch-ups if that suits you too.
Or focus on one actual moment:
I still appreciate the afternoon you spent helping me understand the new system. You made a complicated week easier. Thank you for being generous with what you know.
Exchange personal phone numbers or email addresses separately, with their agreement, rather than putting them in a shared card.
Lighthearted farewell lines
Use a joke only when it matches your usual relationship and the departure is happy or neutral.
- Wishing you excellent new colleagues and a printer that behaves itself.
- Your next team is getting someone wonderful. We are keeping your very thorough meeting notes.
- Best wishes for the next chapter. I hope they appreciate your talent for finding the good lunch places.
- We will miss you, especially when someone asks a question only you know how to answer. Thank you for teaching us so much.
Skip jokes about escaping or being fired. A card that several people can read needs a little more care than a private conversation.
When the departure is difficult or private
You do not need to force a positive story or ask what happened.
- I have valued working with you and wanted to say thank you. Wishing you well.
- Thank you for everything you have brought to our work together. I hope the next few weeks give you the space you need.
- It has meant a lot to have you as a colleague. Please take care, and know that I am thinking of you.
If you are unsure whether a team surprise would be welcome, check before organizing it.
Organize the team's farewell card
A group scrapbook can gather individual notes without asking one person to speak for everybody. The host reviews contributions before the recipient sees the published card. A still photo or voice note of up to 30 seconds is optional, with the required photo description or voice transcript.
Follow the digital group-card instructions to open collection, share the invitation and confirm publication. Check both the collection deadline and recipient opening time; email scheduling does not guarantee arrival at a particular minute.
The Greetings introduction explains account and reply choices. For someone who guided you, try the mentor thank-you examples.
