What to write in a leaving card: 60 messages for colleagues

A formula that always works

If you remember nothing else, use three short parts: one specific memory, one thing you'll miss, and one wish for what's next. Specific is the key word. "Thanks for everything" is fine. "Thanks for covering my shift the week I moved house" is the one they'll remember.

For a colleague you're close to

You can be warm, a bit cheeky and honest here.

• "Who am I meant to send memes to at 3pm now? Keep your phone on."
• "You made Mondays bearable. The new lot have no idea how lucky they are."
• "I'm not crying, the office is just dusty. Go and be brilliant."
• "Best desk neighbour I've ever had. Drinks are on you next month."
• "Thanks for every rant, every lunch and every 'you've got this'. I'll miss you loads."

For someone you don't know well

Short and kind beats trying too hard. Nobody expects a speech from the person two teams over.

• "Wishing you all the best in the new role."
• "It was great working with you. Good luck with what's next."
• "Thanks for always being so helpful. Enjoy the new adventure."
• "Sorry we didn't get to work together more. Best of luck!"

For your manager

Thank them for something real, like support, trust or patience. Keep the jokes gentle.

• "Thank you for trusting me with things before I trusted myself."
• "You were the kind of manager people stay for. The new team is lucky."
• "Thanks for the advice, the cover and the patience. I've learned loads."

Funny leaving card messages

Funny works best when the whole team gets the joke. Avoid anything about their new pay or why they're leaving.

• "Traitor. Good luck though."
• "We'll tell everyone you were fired. Have a great time!"
• "Who's going to fix the printer now?"
• "Remember us when you're famous. Or at least answer our texts."
• "Leaving us is a bold move. We respect it. Slightly."

For maternity, retirement or a career break

These aren't really goodbyes, so focus on what's ahead. For maternity leave, wish them rest and joy, and say the team will be here. For retirement, thank them for the years and cheer on the slower mornings. We've written fuller guides for both: see our retirement card guide and maternity leave card messages.

Making a group leaving card feel personal

Big group cards end up as forty versions of "Good luck!". A few tricks help. Start the card early so people aren't rushing. Ask two or three close colleagues to write first, because good messages set the tone. And if the team is spread across offices or countries, use an online card so nobody is left out.

On Cheerly, you choose the "farewell" occasion, add a photo and share one link in the team chat. Instead of writing, people record a short voice note. Hearing thirty colleagues say goodbye in their own voices is a lot more memorable than reading it. If the team wants to chip in for a leaving gift, everyone can pay by card in their own currency, and the money goes to the person leaving, not to whoever organised it.

Common questions

Helpful links

• Acas: leaving a job (UK)