What to Write in a Leaving Card: Messages for Every Kind of Colleague

Quick answer: In a leaving card, thank the person for something specific, say what you'll miss, and wish them luck with what comes next. One to three sentences is plenty. Close colleagues can add a shared memory; if you barely know them, a warm "best of luck in the new role" is perfect.

Someone's last day is on Friday, the leaving card has landed in your inbox, and you're staring at a blank box. This guide gives you more than 30 original leaving card messages grouped by how well you know the person, with a short note on why each type works. If you're organising the card rather than signing it, start with our guide to making a group card online.

What should you write in a leaving card?

Write a short message with three parts: a thank-you or memory, something you'll miss, and a good wish for the future. A simple way to build it:

1. Start with their name. "Dear Tom" or "Hi Tom".
2. Add one specific thing. A project, a habit, a kindness. "Thanks for rescuing my spreadsheet at 5.55 pm."
3. Look ahead. "Good luck in Leeds – they're getting a good one."

This is the same formula we recommend across our guide to what to write in a group card. Specific beats general every time, because a leaver re-reading their card will remember the details, not the adjectives.

Leaving card messages for a close colleague

With a close colleague, you can be personal, nostalgic and a little cheeky. They know your voice, so write the way you'd talk to them over coffee.

1. "Who am I going to moan about the coffee machine with now? Thank you for two years of laughs and lunch breaks. Stay in touch – I mean it."
2. "You were the first person to make me feel welcome here, and I've never forgotten it. Your new team has no idea how lucky they are."
3. "I'm going to miss our Friday debriefs more than I'll admit in a card. Go and be brilliant."
4. "Thank you for every 'have you got five minutes?' that turned into an hour of good advice. I owe you several pints."
5. "Work won't be the same without your terrible puns. Actually, it might be quieter. I'll still miss you."
6. "From the first week's panic to the big launch, you've been there for all of it. Thank you, friend. Good luck!"
7. "Remember the day the fire alarm went off mid-presentation? I'll think of you every time it's tested. All the best."
8. "You taught me how to handle difficult clients without losing my cool. I'll use that for the rest of my career."

Why these work: each one names a shared moment or habit. That signals the friendship is real and will outlast the job. The light humour suits the relationship because it's affectionate and about you both, not a dig at them.

Leaving card messages for someone you don't know well

If you barely know the leaver, keep it short, warm and honest. You don't need to invent a friendship.

9. "Wishing you every success in your next role. Best of luck!"
10. "We didn't work together much, but I've always heard great things. All the best for the future."
11. "Thank you for your help with the Q3 report. Good luck with the move."
12. "Sorry to see you go. I hope the new job is everything you want it to be."
13. "Best wishes for your next adventure, from everyone on the third floor."
14. "It was always good to see a friendly face in the kitchen. Good luck!"
15. "Wishing you a happy and successful next chapter."

Why these work: they are sincere without overclaiming. Adding one small true detail, such as "thanks for your help with the Q3 report", makes even a short message feel personal, and adding your team ("Mark, IT") helps them place you.

Leaving card messages from the whole team

A message from the whole team should be inclusive, appreciative and a little more formal. It often goes on the cover or first page, so it sets the tone for the card.

16. "To Sarah, from everyone in Marketing: thank you for five creative, chaotic, brilliant years. We'll miss you."
17. "The support desk won't be the same without you. Thank you for everything, and good luck from all of us."
18. "Thank you for keeping this team running, laughing and (mostly) on time. Wishing you all the best."
19. "You've left your mark on every project we've touched. Go well, and come back and visit."
20. "On behalf of the whole team: thank you for your patience, your ideas and your kindness. Good luck!"

Why these work: they speak for everyone, so they focus on the person's contribution to the group rather than on individual memories. "Come back and visit" keeps the door open warmly.

Short one-liners for a leaving card

When you're short on time or space, one warm line is enough. A brief message is always better than not signing.

21. "Good luck – you'll be brilliant."
22. "Thanks for everything. Stay in touch!"
23. "Gone but definitely not forgotten."
24. "Onwards and upwards!"
25. "Best of luck in the new job."
26. "It's been a pleasure working with you."
27. "Your new team is lucky to have you."
28. "Wishing you nothing but good things."

Why these work: they're positive, finished thoughts. Add your name and team so the recipient knows who wrote them.

Leaving card messages for different reasons for leaving

Tailor your message to why they're going. A new job, a move, parental leave and redundancy all call for slightly different words.

29. New job: "Congratulations on the new role. They've made an excellent choice."
30. Moving abroad: "Enjoy every moment of life in Lisbon. Send pictures of the sunshine, please."
31. Going back to study: "Good luck with the course. I can't wait to hear what you do next."
32. Career break or travel: "Have the most amazing time. Come back with stories."
33. Redundancy: "It's been a real privilege working with you. You'll land somewhere great, and I'm happy to be a reference if it ever helps."

Why these work: they show you know their situation. With redundancy, avoid "Lucky you!" or jokes about escaping, because the person may not have chosen to leave. Practical kindness (an offer of a reference or a LinkedIn recommendation) often means more than sentiment.

If you're writing for a departing manager, the tone shifts again; our guide to farewell messages for your boss covers it.

Can you write something funny in a leaving card?

Yes, if the humour is affectionate and about shared experiences, not the person. Joke about the printer, the car park or the endless meetings. Avoid age, appearance, relationships or why they're leaving.

A good test: would the joke still land if their new manager read it over their shoulder? For a whole collection of safe lines, browse our funny goodbye messages for coworkers.

How do you sign a leaving card when the team is remote?

Use an online leaving card that everyone can sign from a link. In a hybrid team, a paper card often misses the people working from home.

With a digital card, the organiser shares one signing link in Teams, Slack, email or WhatsApp. On SignThisCard, signers don't need an account: they press "Add your message", write their note, enter their name and can add a photo or a hand-drawn signature. Our article on organising a farewell card for a colleague walks through the whole process.

Key takeaways

• A good leaving card message thanks the person, names something you'll miss, and wishes them well for the future.
• Close colleagues can share memories and gentle humour; acquaintances should keep it short, warm and honest.
• A message from the whole team should focus on the person's contribution to the group.
• Match your message to why they're leaving; never joke about redundancy.
• One to three sentences is the right length for most people signing a shared leaving card.

Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a leaving card for someone you barely know?

Keep it short and genuine, for example "Wishing you every success in your next role" or "Sorry to see you go – all the best for the future". If you've had even one positive interaction, mention it. Add your team or department so they can place your name.

How do you say goodbye to a colleague in a card?

Thank them for something specific, say you'll miss them, and look ahead: "Thank you for all your help with onboarding. I'll miss our chats. Good luck in the new job!" If you'd like to stay in touch, say so and mean it, perhaps by adding a personal email or LinkedIn mention.

Is it okay to write "Good luck" in a leaving card?

Yes. "Good luck" is a perfectly polite message, especially if you don't know the person well. If you're close, add one more sentence with a memory or thank-you so it doesn't feel rushed. A short, sincere line is always better than leaving the card unsigned.

What should you not write in a leaving card?

Avoid complaints about the company or management, jokes about why they're leaving, comments about appearance or age, and private information. Also avoid anything you wouldn't want their new employer or family to read. When in doubt, choose warm and simple over clever.

How long should a leaving card message be?

One to three sentences suits most people. Close colleagues can write a short paragraph, but long letters crowd the card and are better sent privately. The aim is a card full of voices that's easy to read, so brevity is a kindness to the recipient and to everyone else signing.

What's the difference between a leaving card and a farewell card?

They're the same thing. "Leaving card" is the usual British term, while "farewell card" or "going-away card" is more common in the US. The messages are identical: thanks, good memories and good wishes for what comes next. Many teams now use a digital version so remote colleagues can sign too.

Conclusion

Knowing what to write in a leaving card is simpler than it feels: thank them, say what you'll miss, and wish them well. Pick the section above that matches how well you know the leaver, adapt a message so it includes one true detail, and sign your name. If you're the one collecting messages, you can create a farewell card online and share a single link with the whole team.