When someone is leaving work, it's time to set up a leaving card and collection to let them know how much they'll be missed by the team.

It's time to sign the card - as always you’ve found yourself struggling with a severe dose of writer's block. Especially since you’re the last to sign, and “Best of Luck!” and “We’ll Miss You!” have already been snapped up.

So whether they’re your office bestie or arch nemesis, we have the perfect solution thanks to our list of the BEST leaving messages for colleagues.
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Why Should You Write a Leaving Message?

At Givetastic, we like to spread peace and positivity, so we always recommend signing an office card despite any employee differences.

Especially when it comes to leaving cards for colleagues, as everyone else in the office can see whether you have or haven’t left a note to say goodbye.

Therefore, we suggest always writing a little something, even if it’s simple.
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What to include in the Leaving Message

When it comes to writing a message for your beloved colleague there are certainly some do’s and don'ts that we suggest you adhere to. These will ensure you stay friends with them or that you’re not next out the door for misconduct!

This little set of suggestions applies to all colleagues no matter your relationship with them.

Whether you’re trying to be funny or heartfelt, here’s a few suggestions we feel you should always include:

Their name, or office nickname;

Wish them well and good luck, maybe even thank them if they’ve been a supportive mentor;

Avoid any swearing or offensive language that could get you in trouble;

Also avoid including any personal jokes that are too personal (again, to avoid getting into any trouble);

Include your own name, or office nickname.

If you always include the above, no matter what else you write, your leaving message for your colleague is sure to be a good one.
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General Leaving Messages for Colleagues

If you don’t know your colleague all too well, then we suggest sticking to a general well wish.

It’s a safer bet and you can’t go wrong. So stick one of the following leaving wishes in the card and you’ll be all set:
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We’ll miss you! Congratulations!

Wishing you the best of luck!

Wishing you the best in your new venture!

I wish you the best in your new job!

Can’t wait to see where this new role takes you! Congratulations!

Your new team is lucky to have you, congratulations!

You will be dearly missed!

Good luck with your new job! Keep in touch!

Take care! I’m sure you will do great!

Hoping you find happiness in your new adventure!

Thanks for being a great addition to our team! All the best!

Good luck with all of your future endeavours.

Sorry to see you go so soon, keep in touch!

It has been a pleasure working with you, best of luck!

Hope you have enjoyed your time with our company, good luck!

Our team is rooting for you!

Sorry you’re leaving us, but what an exciting opportunity!

I hope your new team knows how lucky they are to have you!

What an exciting opportunity for you! See you soon!

Always knew you wouldn’t stay here long

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Funny Leaving Messages for Colleagues

If you’re lucky (or unlucky) enough that the person who's leaving your workplace is one of your good friends, then you certainly have the scope to add in a touch of humour and write a funny leaving message for your colleague.

Humour is, of course, a very broad spectrum and something one person might find funny, certainly won't be funny to the next.

However, there are some generally funny things you can write inside a leaving card that will get you a chuckle without raising any eyebrows or receiving an email from HR:
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I promised I wasn’t going to cry…just ignore the tear stains and runny ink.

It’s not going to be the same here without you…it’ll be so much better! Bye!

Can’t believe we have to train up another person to replace you!

You’re going to be impossible to replace, but we’re going to give it a good go!

Can’t wait to see how much productivity increases once you head out the door!

Good luck trying to find colleagues as funny, charming and good looking as us!

I always knew you were only in it for the money!

Don’t come running back crying! Not like we would welcome you with open arms or anything…

I know you’re only leaving so you don’t have to do [work task] anymore! Thanks for leaving it to me!

Maybe you leaving will solve the problem of who keeps finishing the milk and not replacing it!

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Sentimental Leaving Messages for Colleagues

Of course, there are those colleagues who we form stronger bonds with, and you might want to give them a more sentimental message.

Some of us are lucky enough to even make lifelong friends in the workplace, which makes it all the harder when they decide to leave.

So choose from one of the below leaving messages and there won't be a dry eye in the house:
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I don’t know what I’m going to do here without you, our company truly won’t be the same.  

Monday’s sucked before, but they are going to be even worse now you’re gone.

I’m so grateful for all you have taught me and for taking me under your wing, I’ll miss you!

Supportive, nurturing and friendly - you really are a colleague like no other.

My experience here would have been so different if it weren’t for you, your new team is so lucky to have you.

Congratulations on landing your new role and chasing your dreams, I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

Wishing you all the luck in the world as you take the next step in your impressive career. What an inspiration!

We are so proud of everything you have accomplished here with us, and can’t wait to see what your future holds.

Your support and encouragement during the hard times was inspirational and exactly what we all needed. We’ll all miss you dearly.

We always say that we’re like a big dysfunctional family here, and I can’t deny that I really do see you like family. I’ll miss you here, but it’s not goodbye.

The time and effort that you put into every single task is inspiring, I hope I can lead from your example. Goodbye and good luck!

Your guidance and support during your time here allowed us to thrive in a way in which we didn’t know was possible! All the best!

I’m not only losing a colleague today, but a best friend too (and ultimate coffee break buddy). Miss you already!

The skills, expertise and professionalism that you have brought to our team has , I hope we can work together again in the future!

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Leaving Messages for Senior Colleagues and Bosses

Navigating relationships with those senior to you can be tricky. So, it’s understandable if you are struggling with what to say to a senior colleague who is leaving.

They may be leaving due to promotion, retirement or a better opportunity, but it’s likely that what you say in their card will differ from a regular colleague.

You may wish to remain professional, show gratitude if they’ve been a mentor, or include some humour if you managed to create a friendship with them.

But if you pick from one of our suggestions below, you are sure to hit the nail on the head:
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You are leaving some pretty big shoes to fill, all the best!

All good things must come to an end, and so will our productivity now you’re leaving us!

What good is a ship without its captain? We’ll miss you!

Best. Boss. Ever. Good luck!

Your team here will miss you loads, but your new crew are lucky to have you!

The mark you have left on our company is unmatched, but we wish you all the happiness in your new adventure!

If you’re ever looking for a [your job title] in your new place, give me a call, boss!

Working under you has been a pleasure, stay in touch!

Grateful for every experience you have given me and the skills you have allowed me to learn, we were lucky to have a boss like you!

How lucky we all were to call you “boss”! Good luck!

I have never had a boss as supportive and nurturing as you. Your new place is beyond lucky to have you!

What are we going to do without you?!

Not saying that the place is going to fall apart without you…but it’s going to be a struggle without your support!

The rule used to be that no one should leave before the boss…does that rule still apply now?

Wishing you nothing but happiness and success in the future!

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Leaving Message for Employees

Perhaps you’re the boss and one of your own employees is leaving, so writing a message in the card is very important.

In fact, out of all the workplace relationships that we’re covering here, this is the most important one.

What you write in your employee's card might stick with them for life, and studies have shown that giving your employee a positive send off sets them up for success in their new role.

It can also set the tone for what other people write in the card, or give you an opportunity to offer up advice or praise for their hard work.

Here’s a few stand-out suggestions from us:
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What an amazing contribution you have made to our team. You will be dearly missed!

You should be proud of all that you have achieved here. All the best!

We will all miss you and your infectious enthusiasm dearly!

So proud to have been a part of your journey. Can’t wait to see where this next step takes you!

We are all so proud of you and sad to see you leave, but can’t wait to see you continue to grow and evolve in your new role!

I have enjoyed mentoring you and providing you with the essential building blocks that you can take forward with you in your career.

Our office won’t be the same without you and your infectious enthusiasm!

I always knew you were going to be a great fit within our team, but I also knew you would continue to go on to do great things! Congratulations!

Hopefully your tea making skills improve in your new role! Only joking, best of luck!

You have been such a great addition to our company and have left behind some big shoes to fill! Now go and chase your dreams!

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With 70 leaving messages for your colleagues, you certainly won’t struggle with writer's block now.

From funny and cheeky, to heartfelt and sincere, we have covered all of the best leaving messages for colleagues.

Whatever the sentiment and whoever they are to you, Givetastic has helped you find the perfect leaving message for a colleague.