What to Write in a Leaving Card: Messages for Colleagues, Bosses & Friends

What should you write in a leaving card?

A leaving card only needs to do three things: say you'll miss them, say something true about working with them, and wish them well in what's next. One or two sentences is plenty, especially on a card that thirty people are signing. If you want a line that works for anyone: "It's been a pleasure working with you. Good luck in your new role, and keep in touch."

The messages that get remembered are the specific ones: the thing they always said, the day they saved your bacon, the joke only your team would get. Below you'll find wording for a colleague, a boss, a friend at work, someone you barely knew, and the person who's leaving for a new job, moving away, going on maternity leave or retiring. There's a funny section too, and a short list of things to leave out.

Short leaving card messages that suit anyone

• "Good luck in your new adventure. You'll be missed."
• "So sorry to see you go. Wishing you all the best."
• "It won't be the same without you. Good luck!"
• "Best of luck for the future. Don't be a stranger."
• "Thanks for everything. Go and be brilliant somewhere else."
• "Farewell and good luck. Keep in touch."
• "You've been a joy to work with. All the very best."

Leaving card messages for a colleague you worked closely with

• "I'll miss our morning coffees and your ability to make a bad day funny. Good luck, [name]."
• "You made this place better just by turning up. They're lucky to have you."
• "Thanks for the advice, the cover and the biscuits. The new lot don't know how good they've got it."
• "Working with you has been the best bit of this job. Go and be amazing."
• "Who am I going to moan to now? Seriously, good luck. You deserve it."

Leaving card messages for your boss or manager

• "Thank you for believing in me, backing me and pushing me. I've learned more from you than from anyone. Good luck."
• "You've been the kind of manager people hope for and rarely get. All the best in your new role."
• "Thank you for your patience, your honesty and your door always being open. We'll miss you."
• "It's been a privilege to work for you. Wishing you every success."

Leaving card messages for someone you didn't know well

Honest and brief beats fake and gushing.

• "Best of luck in your next role."
• "Wishing you all the best for the future."
• "Good luck, and thanks for your help while you were here."
• "All the best from everyone in [department]."

Leaving card messages for a new job

• "Congratulations on the new job! They've made a very good decision."
• "Onwards and upwards. Good luck, and let us know how it goes."
• "So pleased for you, even if we're gutted for us. Good luck in the new role."
• "New job, same brilliant you. Go and show them."

Leaving card messages for maternity or paternity leave

• "Enjoy every minute of the time off, and the tiny person who comes with it. See you when you're back."
• "Good luck with the most important job you'll ever do. We'll keep your chair warm."
• "Wishing you a safe arrival and a wonderful leave. Send photos!"

Leaving card messages for someone moving away

• "[City]'s gain is our loss. Good luck with the move, and come back and visit."
• "Wishing you a smooth move and a happy new chapter. We'll miss you."
• "Far away but not forgotten. Good luck in your new home."

Leaving card messages for retirement

• "Congratulations on your retirement. You've more than earned it."
• "Enjoy the lie-ins, the long lunches and never setting an alarm again."
• "Thank you for everything you've given this place. Happy retirement."

For more, see our full guide to what to write in a retirement card.

Funny leaving card messages

• "Congratulations on escaping. Send help."
• "Good luck in the new job. Don't forget us when you're famous, or at least when you're on a better salary."
• "You're leaving? But who's going to fix the printer?"
• "Sorry to see you go. Not sorry about getting your desk."
• "Wishing you a boss as good as me. Good luck with that."
• "Enjoy your new job. We've already replaced you with a plant."

What not to write in a leaving card

• Anything about why they're leaving, if it wasn't entirely their choice.
• Comparisons with their replacement.
• "Good riddance" jokes unless you're certain they'll laugh.
• A bare signature. Three words are better than none. "Good luck, Sam" is fine.

How to sign a leaving card

"All the best" or "Good luck" for colleagues; "With love" for friends; "With thanks" for a boss or mentor. On a group card, write your message next to your name so they know who said what, and keep it short so the last few people to sign still have room.

Should you give a leaving gift?

For a colleague, the office collection usually covers it, and the card is often what they keep. If you want to give something personal, a personalised gift outlasts anything generic: an engraved pen for the new desk, a personalised mug so nobody at the new place steals it, or a keepsake print marking their years with the team. You'll find these in our thank you gifts and congratulations gifts, and for someone retiring, our personalised retirement gifts.

A few tips before you write

• Be specific. One memory beats a paragraph of good wishes.
• Write it before the card reaches you. You'll write something better than whatever comes to mind with someone waiting.
• Short is fine. Nobody has ever wished a leaving card message was longer.

Whatever you write, the point is simple: they were here, it mattered, and you noticed.