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What to write in a farewell card for a coworker

A farewell card doesn’t need to be clever. The best ones say thank you for one specific thing and leave the door open.

The short version

Name one thing they did that made work better, wish them well for what’s next, and add a way to stay in touch if you mean it.

10 things you can write

Copy one as it is, or change a few words so it sounds like you.

For someone you worked closely with

  1. Work won’t be the same without you. Thank you for making the hard days easier and the good days better.

  2. I learned so much from watching how you handled the tough calls. Thank you.

  3. You were the person I could always ask the “silly” question. I’ll miss that the most.

For a manager or mentor

  1. Thank you for trusting me with the launch before I trusted myself. I’ll take that with me.

For a group card, or someone you didn’t know well

  1. It was great working with you. Wishing you all the best in what comes next.

For a new job

  1. They’re lucky to have you. Go show them what we already know.

For a retirement

  1. Happy retirement. Your time is finally your own. I hope it’s full of everything you love.

When leaving wasn’t their choice

  1. I’m sorry this happened. You were great to work with, and I’d be glad to be a reference anytime.

  2. A job is something you do. It isn’t who you are. I’m in your corner while you figure out what’s next.

To stay in touch

  1. Let’s stay in touch. Coffee’s on me once you’re settled. My personal email is your email.

Or send a card that says it for you

All New Chapters cards

Free to send by text, or to print. Open a card to send it.

New Chapters card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a kraft collage style. It reads: Work won’t be the same without you. Thank you for making the hard days easier and the good days better. Let’s stay in touch. New ChaptersNCH-07 Thank You card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a garden gouache style. It reads: Thanks for having my back this week. Working with you makes everything easier. Coffee’s on me. Thank YouTHX-08 Thank You card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a garden gouache style. It reads: You made a hard week easier. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. Lunch is on me next time. Thank YouTHX-02 Encouragement card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a paper cut sunrise style. It reads: Starting something new takes courage. I see yours. I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Tell me about your first day? EncouragementENC-08 Celebrate card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a confetti collage style. It reads: Happy retirement. Your time is finally your own. I hope it’s filled with everything you love. Lunch, anytime you like? CelebrateCEL-05 New Chapters card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a kraft collage style. It reads: A job is something you do. It isn’t who you are. I’m in your corner while you figure out what’s next. Coffee’s on me whenever you want to talk. New ChaptersNCH-08 New Chapters card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a kraft collage style. It reads: You’re moving, but you’re not leaving my life. New address. Same friend. Send me pictures of the new place. New ChaptersNCH-01 New Chapters card from Xiqu Cards, illustrated in a kraft collage style. It reads: Change is hard, even when it’s good. Go easy on yourself while everything settles. New ChaptersNCH-10

What to avoid

  • Jokes about the company or the people staying

    Cards get passed around, read aloud and kept. Keep it kind enough for anyone to read.

  • Inside jokes in a group card

    Save them for a personal message, where they’ll land.

  • “Congratulations” when they were let go

    Say you’re sorry it happened, and say what you valued about working with them.

  • Promises you won’t keep

    “Lunch every week!” is easy to write and hard to do. One real plan is better.

  • Asking why they’re leaving

    If they want to tell you, they will.

A few tips

One real detail
One specific memory beats three general compliments.
Group cards
One or two lines is enough. Sign your full name, since they may not know your handwriting.
A way to reach you
They’ll lose their work email. Add a personal email or number if you want to stay in touch.
Remote teams
A text or an e-card on their last day works just as well as paper.

Questions people ask

What do I write if I barely knew them?

Keep it short and warm: “It was great working with you. Wishing you all the best in what comes next.” Then sign your full name.

Should a farewell message be funny?

A light line is fine if you know them well. Keep it kind, because the card may be shared and kept for years.

What do I write when someone was laid off?

Say you’re sorry, say what you valued in their work, and offer practical help, like a reference or an introduction, only if you’ll follow through.