Farewell Messages for Leaving Card - the BEST Ideas of What to Write in a Colleague's Leaving Card!

So your co-worker or company colleague is leaving, but you are absolutely lost for what a message for a leaving card should look like, or what kind of farewell messages to write in a colleague's leaving card generally? If so, we've got you covered with these farewell messages for colleagues and some general leaving card message suggestions for colleagues and leaving co-workers below. 🍃 WHY COLLEAGUES' FAREWELL MESSAGES ARE IMPORTANT Humans have evolved to live in tribes. Without our tribe, we wouldn't be able to thrive emotionally and wouldn't feel safe physically, as alone, we would be at a great danger of not surviving, compared to when in a tribe. Most people will spend most of our awake time, so that's roughly 3,515 days of our lives, at work (that’s about 1,795 hours per year). So our work team is a very important 'tribe' as far as the health of our bodies and minds is concerned. Studies show that over 50% of UK professionals have a close friend (or friends) at work – and this actually makes us better at our jobs. This is vital to our mental and physical health, contributing to a sense of belonging and acceptance, according to science: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/who-needs-friends-work-heres-what-uk-employees-say-linkedin-news-uk-uuskc/ That sense of belonging makes group leaving cards and heartfelt colleague messages so powerful—they’re a meaningful way to say goodbye while showing appreciation, and they strengthen bonds, even as someone leaves. This is how Gathered Cards was born. Gathered Cards lets you easily create these cards together: add messages, rotate text, attach gift vouchers (coming up) — all in one self-service goodbye experience. 💡GENERIC IDEAS FOR FAREWELL MESSAGES FOR COLLEAGUES - APPRECIATION & SHARED MOMENTS When brainstorming farewell messages for colleagues, start with appreciation and things that bonded you: - Coffee-break memories: “I’ll miss bumping into you at the coffee station every morning.” - Project collaborations: “Remember the time we stayed late to finish that project? I treasured that teamwork.” - Valued contributions: “Your knack for organization kept us all on track—thank you!” - Even light-hearted traits: “I’ll miss your unforgettable sock game!” - Mentioning something that inspired you or where they helped you: “I've taken so much inspiration from your meticulous dressing style”, and “Thank you for mentoring me at the start, showing how things are done here, and for all your feedback – I feel like it's improved my deliverable preparation skills so much. I hope you'll have this impact on many others at your new firm”. - Referring to their role and impact is always safe—and meaningful, as that's likely where they added the most value as a professional. 😆 FUNNY LEAVING MESSAGES TO BREAK THE ICE - “I'll miss raiding the free food at the 'lunch and learns' together! I'm sure all the hungry people there will miss us too!” - “I'll miss coming in early together to impress, but then chatting away with you the whole morning instead of working!” - “I won’t miss you making me look bad by working twice as hard!” - “So it turns out we weren’t your cup of tea after all—I hope it wasn't me?” - “Remember: jumping ship was easy. Swimming back? Not so much! So maybe you shouldn't leave us?” - “I understand you might be leaving us for a pay rise, but are you sure - even NASA telescope can't see it... I'm just saying, maybe you could stay?” - “It's okay, we get you, it was easier to spot a splinter in our eye than to see a log in yours...” - “Finally, the toilet cubicle / the kettle won't be hogged anymore” (if they were the proper type to rarely leave their desk) - “Who will be bringing in / eating all the office cakes and bakes?” - “Team outings won’t feel the same—who’s going to bust out those dance moves?” - “We’ll miss your desk snacks—and maybe you too!” - “The office email sent to the entire company, asking us all for our "sh*t sizes" instead of "shirt sizes" won’t be the same without you.” ❤️ FAREWELL MESSAGES FOR COLLEAGUES WHO ARE FRIENDS When the leaving coworker is also a close friend, let authenticity shine: - “On the outside I’m smiling, but inside I’m hoping you’ll quit and come back!” - “Saying goodbye to a friend is tough—your new job is lucky to have you.” - “Now that you’re gone, my turn to shine… but seriously, I’ll miss you.” - “Do you remember our midnight pizza after that project? That’s what made it special.” - “Monthly targets fade, but memories of working with you will stay forever.” - “The office won’t be the same without your kindness and laughter.” - “You’ve made a lasting impact—your absence will be deeply felt.” - “Our team is losing someone incredible, but your journey is just beginning.” - “Sometimes you only realize a colleague’s value when saying goodbye.” 👔 FAREWELL MESSAGES TO THE BOSS When writing for a superior, stay professional but warm: - “Your leadership guided this company and inspired me personally—thank you.” - “Your positive attitude and dedication made a space where we could thrive.” - “Wishing you every success in your next venture; you’ve set the bar high.” 🎉 RETIREMENT FAREWELL MESSAGES Celebrate the milestone with warmth: - “Congratulations on this milestone—enjoy the well-deserved adventures ahead.” - “Retirement is not the end, but a beautiful new beginning.” - “Thank you for your unwavering dedication—you’ll be sorely missed.” ✍️ WRITING THE PERFECT CARD - HOW TO ASSEMBLE YOUR FAREWELL MESSAGE 1) Start with gratitude and shared memories, as above. 2) Insert humour or warmth, depending on your relationship. 3) End on a positive note, wishing them luck and success: “I hope your next workplace has better tea than ours!” 4) Include contact info, encouraging them to stay in touch: “Drop me a line at [email]; I hope we cross paths again.” 📝 EXAMPLE CARD (PLAYFUL TRIBAL THEME) Dear Fred, I’m so sorry to hear you are leaving us! I have really appreciated your presence and help leading our tribe over the years. Your hearty laughter around the campfire meetings and dinner times will be missed. On the bright side, while you’re away, berry collection will be easier—more fruit left for us! I sincerely wish you a smooth hunt—may your spear fly true, your heart stay brave, and mammoths fall into your lap. I look forward to your return with fresh courage (and mammoth tales). In the meantime, keep in touch at siobhan@tribe-berry-gatherer.com! All the best, Siobhan ✨ WHY GATHERED CARDS MAKES THIS EASY With Gathered Cards, crafting and sending a group leaving card is seamless: 1) Collaborators can sign and customize messages all in one place 2) Rotate or edit text effortlessly 3) Attach digital gift vouchers (COMING SOON!) —coffee treats, Amazon gifts, spa days 4) Schedule delivery to their email address, so it arrives exactly when it matters 5) Print card as PDF to create a physical keep-sake For more message ideas for a leaving card, please checkout our Demo Card: https://www.gatheredcards.com/try