Message ideas

What to write in a leaving card

Forty leaving card messages for a colleague, from a quick line to something heartfelt. Pick one, then add a memory only you would know.

Short and sweet

• Good luck! We’ll miss you.
• Thanks for everything. Keep in touch.
• It won’t be the same without you.
• Go and smash it.
• Best of luck in the new job.
• So long, and thanks for all the biscuits.
• Wishing you every success.
• You’ll be brilliant.

Heartfelt

• Thank you for being the person I could always ask, even when it was a silly question.
• You made this place better, and I’m a better colleague for working with you.
• I’ll miss our chats more than I can say. Thank you for everything.
• You were the calm in every storm. Good luck, and keep in touch.
• Thank you for believing in me before I did.
• Your kindness made Monday mornings easier. I’ll miss you.
• Working with you has been one of the best parts of this job.
• Whatever comes next, they’re lucky to have you.

Funny

• Who’s going to fix the printer now?
• I’d say I’ll miss you, but I’m mostly going to miss your snacks.
• Congratulations on escaping.
• Leaving us is a bold move. Good luck with that.
• The kettle will never recover.
• Don’t forget us when you’re famous.
• We’ll keep your chair warm. And by warm, I mean someone else will sit in it.
• Traitor. Good luck!

For a boss or manager

• Thank you for your support and for always making time for me.
• You were the best manager I’ve had. Thank you for everything.
• Thank you for trusting me with so much. I learned more than you know.
• Your door was always open, and it made all the difference.
• Thank you for leading with kindness.
• We’ll miss your leadership and your terrible jokes in equal measure.
• You built a team people wanted to be part of. Thank you.
• Thank you for pushing me to be better.

For someone retiring

• Enjoy every lie-in. You’ve earned them.
• Thank you for all the years of wisdom and patience.
• Retirement suits you already.
• The garden is going to look amazing.
• We’ll miss you, but not as much as you’ll enjoy not setting an alarm.
• Thank you for everything you taught us.
• Here’s to slow mornings and long holidays.
• Congratulations on a brilliant career.

Tips

• Start with their name and one specific memory.
• Keep it to two or three sentences. Short is fine.
• If you didn’t know them well, thank them for something they did for the team.
• A voice note or a short video often says more than writing.