What to write in a farewell card for a coworker

You open the card, see 30 signatures that all say "Good luck!", and freeze. Here's a simple formula and 50 messages to borrow or adapt.

The 3-part formula

1. A specific memory: "I'll never forget the night we rebuilt the launch deck at 11 p.m."
2. What you appreciated: "You always made time to explain things to new people."
3. A wish for what's next: "They're lucky to have you. Go show them how it's done."

You don't need all three. Any two make a message feel personal.

Heartfelt messages

• Working with you made the hard weeks easier. Thank you for that, and good luck in what comes next.
• You were the first person to make me feel welcome here. I won't forget it.
• Thank you for every question you patiently answered. I learned so much from you.
• Your calm in a crisis was legendary. Your new team has no idea how lucky they are.
• It won't be the same without you, but I'm so happy for you.
• You made this a better place to work. Thank you for everything.
• I'll miss our coffee breaks more than I can say. Stay in touch!
• You taught me how to do this job well, and how to be kind while doing it.
• Thank you for always having my back.
• Wishing you every success. You've earned it.

Short messages (when space is tight)

• We'll miss you! Go crush it.
• Thank you for everything. Stay in touch!
• Best of luck. You'll be amazing.
• So proud of you. Onward!
• Thanks for being a great teammate.
• Lucky them, unlucky us.
• Can't wait to see what you do next.
• You'll be missed around here.
• Cheers to your next adventure!
• Keep in touch, and good luck!

Funny (but work-safe) messages

• Who's going to fix the printer now?
• Our meetings just got 30% less fun.
• I'm keeping your stapler. Good luck!
• Your new team is getting an upgrade. We're getting a downgrade.
• Remember us when you're famous.
• Your desk plant and I will both miss you.
• Who will laugh at my jokes now?
• Leaving us for them? Bold move. Good luck anyway!
• The coffee machine is going to miss you most.
• Finally, someone else can take the last donut.

For a boss or manager

• Thank you for trusting me with big things and backing me when they got hard.
• You made it easy to do our best work. Your next team is lucky.
• I learned more from you in a year than in the rest of my career. Thank you.
• Thank you for always fighting for the team.
• You led by example every single day. We'll miss you.

For a remote teammate

• Even through a screen, you made every meeting better.
• Thank you for being the friendliest face on every call.
• We never shared an office, but you were one of my favorite coworkers.
• I'll miss your messages that always made my morning.
• One day we'll finally meet in person, and I'm buying the coffee.

For a retirement

• Congratulations on a career that touched so many people. Enjoy every slow morning.
• Thank you for decades of wisdom and kindness. Time to enjoy it all.
• Your alarm clock is officially retired too. Congratulations!
• You built so much of what we have here. Thank you, and enjoy your next chapter.
• Wishing you endless free time and zero emails.

For someone leaving after a short time

• We didn't have long together, but you made a big impression.
• Short time, big difference. Thank you!
• So glad our paths crossed. Good luck with everything.
• Thanks for jumping in and helping right away.
• Wishing you all the best. Keep in touch!

How to get everyone to sign

The hardest part of a farewell card isn't writing it. It's getting 30 people, half of them remote, to sign before Friday. A group card with one link solves it: everyone writes from their phone, you see who has signed, and you deliver one card by email, on a screen at the send-off, or printed. If people want to chip in for a gift, add that to the same link. Try the group farewell card.