How to write a farewell letter to coworkers

Writing a goodbye email to coworkers is never easy. It’s hard for both those leaving and those staying behind, but it doesn’t have to be so tough!

Here are some helpful tips on how to write a great goodbye email to your coworkers, as shared by experts:

Ewelina Melon

Head of People, Tidio

Show that you are thankful and positive about the experience

There are a couple of tips that can make a goodbye message a pleasant experience for both sides. Even though you are leaving a job, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think about leaving a positive impression.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Ensure that your email is not a surprise. It’s vital to send a goodbye email only after an announcement of your departure from the company. When everyone is officially aware that you are leaving, you can craft your farewell message.
• Think about timing. Consider the right time to press ‘send,’ it shouldn’t be too early since it can distract you from finalizing things at work. Likewise, it’s not a good idea to send it on the very last day of your offboarding. Two or three days in advance is a nice option.
• Craft a straightforward subject line. People open emails because the subject line makes them interested. Nobody wants their farewell message ending up in the pile of unopened letters; thus, think about the line that “says it all.” Some good examples are:
  • Moving on
  • My last day at [Company name]
  • Thank you
  • Keeping in touch
  • And more!
• Show that you are thankful and positive about the experience. In the end, that is the whole purpose of writing a goodbye email. You don’t want to complain, spread negativity, or joke around too much while communicating this information. Keep it short and positive, with just enough emotion and appreciation.
• Leave your contact information. Your colleagues probably know how to reach you by your work email or on something like Slack. As it will not be relevant when you leave, make sure to include your LinkedIn URL or a personal email address in case somebody needs to get in touch with you.

Here is a sample of a goodbye message that I like:

Dear team,

As you know, my time with [Company name] is coming to an end.
It’s been a great pleasure working with each of you, and the thought of leaving is very bittersweet. As much as I’m excited about where this move takes me, I will genuinely miss working with each of you.

Thank you for your continuous support, and please do keep in touch. Feel free to email me at [Email address] or connect on LinkedIn at [LinkedIn link].

I know you will continue doing great things at work and in life, and I’m excited about where the future takes you. If there’s anything I can still do for you, don’t hesitate to contact me.

With gratitude,
[Name]

Martin Luenendonk

Chief Executive Officer, FounderJar

Parting ways is never easy, including leaving a job, even if you loved it or hated it. As a CEO, it’s important to exit amicably and not burn any bridges in case of any future business opportunities.

Here are pointers to writing your message:

Let them know when your last day will be

This is in case they want to run something by you or want to get you a going-away present.

Examples:

• “As you may or may not know, my last day will be on as a/the < position> here at.”
• “As much as I loved working with each and every one of you, unfortunately, my last day at will be on.”

Say something nice or express your gratitude

Even if you can’t think of anything to be thankful for, there is always the opportunity you were given to work in that position.

Examples:

• “You are all a group of talented individuals, and I am extremely thankful for the wonderful experience I have had with you all and the chance to get to know you.”
• “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work as < position> and to grow with you all as professionals.”

If you want, you can add your contact details

It’s best to just leave your email address for security reasons. And if you send the letter using your personal email, there’s no need to add this as it will be redundant, but mention that they can reply to the message.

Examples:

• “If you want to keep in touch, you can reach me via my personal email.”
• “You can reply to this email if you would like to keep in touch.”

Close by politely wishing everyone well

This will close your correspondence out on a positive note even though you may still have grievances.

Examples:

• “I have nothing but best wishes for the Company and everyone’s future endeavors, and it has been an honor working with you all!”
• “All the best going forward!”

Try to keep it brief and professional. Avoid being emotional, but remain as sincere as possible. If you feel you don’t have anything nice to say, then just keep your message functional and polite.

Here are my steps for writing a goodbye email to coworkers.

Decide who you want to email

If you’ve worked at a place for a long time, you probably have worked with many people. So you can decide if you want to email everyone you have worked with or only coworkers you have recently worked closely with. And you’ll probably want to email your boss as well.

Decide if you want to do a group email or individual emails (or both)

For causal contacts, it will be more efficient to do a group email. However, if you were closer with someone or if someone had a bigger impact on you, you may want to send them a more personalized email.

If there are people you want to thank for specific things, send an email to only them. They can also be included in a group email being sent to many coworkers. You may also want to send a separate email to your boss.

Decide what information you want to include

Your goodbye email could be the first that some people hear of your departure. So, I recommend including your last day in your email.

Other items to include would be:

• What your next job is (if you want them to know)
• A compliment or two:
  • “Working with you has been great..”
  • “I loved working with you..”
  • “I learned so much..”
• A thank you message:
  • “Thank you for helping me whenever I asked..”
  • “Thanks for being a great mentor..”
• LinkedIn profile or other social media
• Contact information (email, phone number) if you want them to have it.

Keep in mind that your email may be forwarded to others.

Compose and send the emails

You should now have a list of who you want to say goodbye to and what you want to include in the emails.

If you want people to have a chance to respond and say goodbye to you, you can send the goodbye emails a few days before your last day.

Gulsaba Khan

Business Development Specialist, QuillBot

To avoid criticism or unfavorable feelings, be humble when writing your email

Even if you didn’t have the best overall experience, writing a goodbye letter to coworkers is a good way to leave the company on a positive note. It’s also a great way to keep your professional network strong. You never know how you and a former coworker might be able to assist each other in the future.

There are a few ground rules that you should adhere to:

• Keep it short and sweet – ​Even if they are well-written, most of us don’t want to read long emails.
• Begin with a compelling subject line – ​The important thing is to keep it simple and straightforward.
• Personalize the body – Talk about the good times you had with your coworkers when you’re writing your last email of the day. Begin by naming your coworkers and recalling times when you spent enjoyable time with them. ​However, in your email, avoid expressing strong emotions and keep it professional.
• Describe how important your coworkers are to you – To begin with, adopt a positive attitude. Show your gratitude/appreciation for the opportunity to work with and learn from such talented people.
• Give them your contact details – Always include your personal email address, LinkedIn profile URL, and, optionally, your phone number to assist in maintaining your relationships.
• Maintain a well-balanced approach – Keep a balanced approach regardless of your emotions. Avoid using words that criticize your company, phrases that tarnish the company’s image, or expressions that irritate your coworkers. To avoid criticism or unfavorable feelings, be humble when writing your email.

Here’s an example of something I wrote for a previous employer​:

Subject: Gulsaba is moving on​

Hola People!

Today is my last working day, and I wanted to cherish the time I have spent with all of you here one more time.​

​Although I am quite excited for the journey ahead, I am sad to leave you all behind. Each one of you in this email has worked with me in some capacity. Either work-wise, or during annual sports activities, flash mobs, outings, stuffing ourselves during annual party buffet, or just ‘how to move up in life with speed, scale, and competition’ chats near chai point.
​
​As I always say, working here was a roller coaster ride for me- tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. But at the end, we are amused, right? It’s been a pleasure associating with all of you, and I will look back on this time with extreme gratitude.

Within the organization and specific to work, I am thankful that I was appreciated for my tenacity, my willingness to broaden my role, and was encouraged for my ability to do more than what is mentioned of the job.

I know I was always so much fun to be around, and I hope you guys will incorporate the same enthusiasm as I used to (Praying my new colleagues and workplace love my jokes and humor as much as you guys did).

It has been a joyful experience, and saying virtual goodbye isn’t easy. But I am definitely wishing each of you the best of health and some of the wonderful opportunities ahead. May you triumph!

​​I look forward to our paths crossing again in the future!

Best,
Gulsaba

Is it really necessary?

Apart from the regular appreciation of colleagues, what truly remains memorable is writing a goodbye note which recognizes all the support that person has extended to you during your time at the company.

On-the-job praises can be misinterpreted as an attempt to flatter the benefits out of a person. Therefore, a note when leaving the job is a truer depiction of appreciation towards someone.

How to write one?

Here are a couple of things to note, followed by a sample of a goodbye note that decently praises your colleague for the kind of person they are:

Always add in the details

One of my employees reminded me of the times I brought coffee or some snack to their desk when I found them stressed and how much they admired that. I never thought of the act as more than just a courtesy but reminding me of that moment truly warmed my heart.

Tailor your farewell

I have seen people sending out farewell cards with the same old lines to their colleagues. People might give you a big hug as they take the card, but chances are they won’t actually ever read it. Always write a personalized letter.

Hello [Their name],

As you might already know that [date] will be my last day at [company].

I would like to make clear my gratification for knowing you as a colleague for the past [years at the job]. Your friendship and support really helped me get past some of the rough parts of my time. I particularly cherish the moment when [add a personal experience that you admire].

As much as it is hard for me to leave behind such a remarkable time, I need to move on with my professional endeavors. I’ve also appreciated knowing you on a personal level, and I very much hope we can continue this relationship.

Following are my contact details where I look forward to staying in touch with you.

[Email], [LinkedIn]

Good luck!
[Your name]

Magda Klimkiewicz

HR Business Partner, Zety

Keep the letter short—aim for around 150 words

When you’re about to start a new chapter in your life, it’s essential to take the time to write a goodbye email for your coworkers. It’s not only good etiquette and a chance to thank your colleagues for the shared time, but it’s also a smart career move.

After all, one of the people you worked with might end up in a fantastic company further down the road and give you a ticket to your future dream job.

So, when writing a goodbye email for coworkers, keep in mind a few things:

• First, it’s important to keep the letter short—aim for around 150 words.
• Second, avoid sending a group email because it doesn’t feel personal. Instead, go for a personalized message to shows you care about the person.
• Lastly, get the timing right by sending your goodbye email a day or two before your official departure.

Below is an example of a goodbye email for coworkers:

Subject line: Thank you, [Daniel]

Hi [Daniel],

As you probably know, I’ll soon be leaving my [HR manager] position. My official last day at [iLab] is [06/07/2021].

While I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life, I want to thank you for the time we worked together. You were always ready to offer a helping hand whenever I encountered difficulties, and you played an instrumental role in helping me become a better [HR professional].

If you ever want to chat, consult, or otherwise need my help, feel free to reach out to me at my private email [], on my cell [546-123-4499], or via [LinkedIn].

Best wishes,
[Jack]

Writing a goodbye email to your coworkers demonstrates respect. It gives you a chance to thank the people you’ve worked with and have formed closed bonds with.

It’s also important for your career because it’s crucial to build your network. You’ll never know how those former colleagues can introduce you to new opportunities in the future. You don’t want to burn bridges.

Here are some tips on how to write a goodbye email for your coworker:

Keep it short and keep it positive

Express gratitude for the time you’ve spent together and for what you learned from them. Refrain from speaking ill of the company. Also, keep your plans vague.

Share your contact information

When people leave the company, they don’t have access to the company email anymore. So, you can share your phone number, personal email address, or LinkedIn URL for them to contact you.

Send your email a day or two before leaving

This will give them time to respond to your email, as some people might want to bid farewell in person or have questions about the transition plan.

Example of goodbye email to a close colleague:

Subject Line: Thank You

Hi [Name]

As you know, I’m leaving my [job role] here at [company name.] My last day will be on [date.]

I’m excited to start a new chapter, but I want you to know that it’s been an absolute pleasure working with you for _ years. I am grateful for your mentorship. Your business insights have helped me make wise decisions.

Even though I’m moving on, you gave me a lot to take with me. Although you won’t see me around in the office anymore, I hope to keep in touch. My personal email is _ and my LinkedIn profile is __.

Thank you again for everything!

All the best,
[Your Name]

Daniela Sawyer

Founder & Business Development Strategist, FindPeopleFast

Send your email two days before your departure

It’s always hard to move on though you have to. Primarily when you work with some good people, you’ll find it challenging to have a goodbye. So, after your two-week notice, it’s almost time for you to draft one farewell email to your colleagues.

Having this practice even after your boss has officially announced your departure always sounds good.

This will show how hard you find it to leave such a beautiful bond you created among your colleagues. You can add your appreciation for almost everything you have gone through. You can add up details to contact you at any time needed. Mention that people can reach out to you for help when they are in need.

Few steps for a better goodbye email are dropped here:

1. Don’t be in a rush. Make sure that the company had officially accepted your resignation and had announced it on the board.
2. Send your email two days before your departure.
3. Have a clear subject line in your email. For example, moving on, thank you, keeping in touch, etc.
4. Positively shower all your gratitude. Avoid being negative.
5. Don’t miss out on adding your contact information such as phone number, email, links to your LinkedIn profile, etc.
6. Make things short and crisp. You have your long reasons in person.

Sample email:

Subject: Moving on.

Dear team

It’s almost time for me to leave the XYZ organization. I had a great time working with you all. Thank you for being there to support me at all my difficult times.

I am very grateful for all your help and guidance. Keep adding fun to all your characters as always.

Well, this is not the end between us. Please don’t forget to contact me at any time you need. I’ll be there at your reach.

I’ll probably miss you all as I move on soon. But I always wish you the best. Cheers to our days!

Best,
Syria

Make sure the message is concise and it does not need to be more than one paragraph

It is good etiquette to send out farewell emails to your colleagues, and it also helps you maintain your network after leaving your job.

When writing a goodbye email, be positive and show gratitude to your coworkers and anyone you had a chance to work with. Make sure the message is concise, and it does not need to be more than one paragraph. You can mention your alternate contact information in it, so if anyone wants to reach out to you, they can easily.

Lastly, you can send the email out a day or two days before your leave, so people have time to respond to you.

Example of goodbye email to your manager:

• As this email will be going out to your supervisors and heads, the message should be professional and try to leave a positive impression, so you stay in their good books.
• You can thank them for their support and for being your mentor.
• You can mention how you have learned from their advice and how you will carry this knowledge to your next job.

Hello (manager name),

As today is my last day in [company], I would like to personally thank you for always guiding me and giving me the best advice. I have learned so much under your supervision and will be carrying this knowledge with me to my next adventure.

I hope we stay in touch in the near future.

Sincerely,
(name)

Example of goodbye email to your coworkers:

• This goodbye mail can be friendly and emotional as these are the people you had a close bond with.
• You can write about how great the time you had with them both professionally and personally.
• You can also mention where you are going and what your future plans are.
• You can mention how they can contact you without any hesitance.

Hi Everyone,

As you know, (date) will be my last day here.

Though I am really excited about my next adventure, I will miss my time spent here. I will always cherish the friendships I have made along my way and am grateful for the opportunities I got.

I am excited to get started at (company). Feel free to contact me. You can reach me at my personal email (email).

Best of luck,
(name)”

Express how much you appreciate them

When writing a goodbye email, make sure to let them know that you appreciate everything that they have done for you. You want to make your departure as easy as possible, without any hard feelings.

Even better, personalize your emails to each of your coworkers, sharing a special memory you had with them, the ways that they inspired you, and how much you appreciated their help. This will help you depart the company without any burned bridges, and it will keep the door open to healthy future business relations.

For example, your email can say:

Hi (Name),

The day has finally come! Today is my last day with (Company Name).

I am so grateful that you were my manager during my time with this organization, as you taught me so much in my role and really inspired me to always go after my dreams and strive to maximize my potential. I’ll never forget the time that we brainstormed that incredible new advertising strategy — what a total blast that was!

Thank you so much for being such a great help whenever I had questions or concerns. You are the best!

Let’s keep in touch!

Best wishes,
(Your Name)

Writing a professional goodbye letter will help you close a chapter in your life while leaving the door open for future connections.

When writing a goodbye email to coworkers, it is important to express your appreciation for their help, support, and guidance. Say goodbye and give them a way to get in touch with you if they want to at some point in the future — it doesn’t have to be a long or flowery email.

Keep it simple, sincere, and personal

Don’t forget to respond if someone replies back! Keep in mind that the person reading your email is also likely going through some emotions surrounding your leaving.

When writing this email, it is important to remember that you are dealing with individuals rather than an organization. So, even though there may be some discomfort in this process, make sure to maintain professionalism throughout the entire process.

Here is an example of a goodbye email:

“Dear [Names],

It is with mixed feelings that I am announcing my departure from [company name].

It was not an easy decision for me, but after careful consideration, I’ve decided to move on to new opportunities (in another role/field). (Current company name) has been my home for three years now. There’s no denying that this decision wasn’t an easy one.

But things happen for a reason, and sometimes we need to take a few steps back so that we can move forward. I have learned (insert things you’ve learned from your time at the company) from my experience here and enjoyed every minute of it. You are (insert great personality traits of people in the department).

Your support made this possible for me, and I will truly miss working with everyone. Thank you again for everything!

Best,
[Your name]”

Say what you want to say to them

Saying goodbyes to your colleagues is a must because, at some point in your employment with the organization, they made your work enjoyable, and you made some good memories with them.

Before I started my entrepreneurial journey, I also experienced quitting my job as an employee and saying goodbye to my coworkers as a way to show my appreciation to them.

Goodbye emails are not necessarily long. As long as you say what you want to say to them, it’s a good goodbye email. That being said, here is a sample of a goodbye email:

Dear All,

Thank you for being a good colleague to me for the past x months, and I just want to say that I appreciate all of you. This is not a goodbye, and we will surely meet each other outside this company. Thank you for making my working days memorable, and I will never forget all the memories that we made.

I wish you all good luck in your future endeavors. Until we meet again!

Your farewell email should not be solely depressing

Your farewell email should not be solely depressing; instead, lighten your recipients’ emotions. You can find someone who has a joke or a punch line that your readers would like. You can express that you value the coworkers you mentioned in this way.

So, if you’re feeling amusing, it’s fine to make fun of someone, but don’t overdo it to the point where it becomes offensive. You may already know what constitutes a good or poor joke as a friend.

Here’s an example:

Dear Brad,

I’m writing to inform you that today is my last day at the company.

I’ve been working here for the past three years, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with you.

I was able to overcome obstacles and complete projects thanks to your collaboration and help.

I shall never forget your professionalism and politeness toward me.
Please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached via email at [] or by phone at [2323-526-6359].

Sincerely,
Keith.

Brian Dordevic

Director of Strategic Planning and Digital Marketer, Alpha Efficiency

Your goodbye email should have a generally upbeat tone

One thing I always remember is that your email should have a generally upbeat tone. Show your appreciation for your time with the organization and the chance to work with exceptional people. You can offer a fond story, an inside joke, or even a compliment in an email to someone you’ve gotten particularly close to.

Here’s a great example of an upbeat goodbye email:

Hello, Jonah,

As you are aware, I will be leaving Alpha Efficiency on March 31, and my final day will be March 31.

While I’m pleased about the new opportunity, a large part of me is sad to be saying goodbye to such wonderful coworkers as you. I can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed working with you and how much I appreciate the friendship you’ve shown me over the past year. I always look forward to coming into the office because of you.

This could be the last time I’m here. However, that is not the end of our friendship. You have my phone number, so don’t hesitate to call me anytime you want to have a bite to eat, and I’ll do the same!

It’s been a pleasure dealing with you, and I’ll certainly keep in touch!

Best wishes,
Janine

Let your personality shine and make sure to end on a high note

I felt a huge relief when I pushed send on the goodbye email I sent to my team when I left Yahoo!

I walked out the door with my head held high on my way from working for a big internet company to founding my little internet company. Looking back on it, the most time-consuming part of writing this email was tracking down the flight miles and hotel stays while traveling on business.

There are five components of a well-written goodbye email:

• A quick recap of your time spent with the company and acknowledgment of any big wins.
• Tip of the cap to the team. Save the personal thank you and acknowledgments for later. These are best served over lunch, coffee, or beers, ideally in the weeks after you leave as you cope with the inevitable nostalgia.
• A positive sentiment about the future regardless of how the end came to be.
• An open invite to work together in the future.
• Contact information and socials.

Let your personality shine and make sure to end on a high note. Satisfaction, not regret. Humility, not vanity. Gratefulness, not spite.

Reflect on your time together

When we leave our job, it’s normal that there are things that we liked and disliked during our time there. How many times did you get annoyed with some procedures you were not able to change? But how much fun did you have during Friday lunch breaks with your closest colleagues?

The truth is that after a while, we remember the good things that happened and often regret that we didn’t appreciate them more. When writing your goodbye email, think of the things you enjoyed and are grateful for. If it’s an email to your team, you can even address each member with some funny anecdote or experience you shared.

That way, your goodbye email will be more personal and bring a smile to the face of the people you worked with. After a general introduction, you can write something along these lines:

“I want to thank every one of you for the amazing time I spent while working together. Special thanks go to:

• Mary: for her great support and advice, also related to cupcakes preparation for my kids.
• John: for his excellent jokes, which made me laugh on days when everything went downhill.
• Kate: for coffee breaks that helped me to power through the day when my energy level was way too low.”

Reflect on your time together and look for things that made your relationships meaningful and brought you joy every day. Expressing gratitude is a great way to appreciate what you have and bond with others on a deeper level.

Extend your appreciation for the people who help you before your final departure

Goodbyes are never easy in leaving your company, especially if we already gained a strong bond in the whole working journey. As a founder, it is vital to exit the company wholeheartedly. Fill in the gaps and extend your appreciation for the people who help you before your final departure.

Therefore, here are the formats for writing your goodbye email to your colleagues.

• Include your last working days. It is just in case they have any clarifications and to bid a personal goodbye to you.
  • Example: “I appreciate and love working with all of you. Unfortunately, my last day in the company will be (departure date).”
• Show your gratitude throughout the whole experience with them.
  • Example: “I am grateful for having a chance to work with you. You are one of the reasons behind the person I am today.”
• Ask them to keep in touch and close it by wishing them the best in life.
  • Example: “You can contact me with this email, and I will be glad to meet you in your free time. Wishing all the best for you, the team, and the company.”

If you don’t have much to say to the receiver, it is better to keep your message simple and sincere.

In goodbye emails, lines like “good luck and wishing you all the best” and “I will miss working with you” will be common. But to make things more appealing and appreciative, here are some of the tips I want to give.

Cite some meaningful memories

Memories with a specific person or group of people will make the email unique and personalized. Thus, it will deliver a more impactful and appealing message to the recipients.

Example: “Eating with you in the cafeteria is one of the things I’ll be longing for.”

Show gratitude

Thanking them for all the things that they have done for you is one essential part of saying goodbye. This will make the mood of the email lighter and positive.

Example: “I want to thank you for making my experience in the organization more special and fun.”

Leave a contact information

Saying goodbye does not mean an absolute end of a relationship or connection. Include in your email your social media account or anything that can be a way for your coworkers to contact you anytime.