After you’ve written a job acceptance letter and sent it to your new employer, it’s time to start thinking about how to say goodbye to your coworkers.
The simplest way to bid the office farewell is to write a goodbye email that mentions your plans, expresses your gratitude, and lets colleagues know how to stay in touch.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
- Why you should write a goodbye email
- A farewell email example
- How to write a farewell email to your coworkers
- When to send your email
- Five situation-specific goodbye email templates
- Frequently asked questions about goodbye emails
Why write a goodbye email to your coworkers?
A well-written goodbye email is an opportunity to part ways with your coworkers respectfully, thank them for the support they’ve given you, and strengthen your professional network.
Goodbye emails are a great way to let colleagues know you’d like to stay in touch. You never know when you might need a reference or referral, so it’s important to keep those lines of communication open.
Farewell email to colleagues example
If you’re wondering what to say in a goodbye email to coworkers, you’re not the only one. Here’s an example of what a professional farewell message to colleagues looks like:
How to write a farewell email to your coworkers
When writing your goodbye email to your coworkers, you can use the following structure:
1. Mention that you’re leaving and when your last day will be
If you’re part of a team and other employees rely on you, it’s important to let them know when you’re leaving. This gives them time to prepare for your departure and resolve any final work-related matters.
They’ll probably also want to know when your last day is so that they have a chance to reach out and say goodbye before you go.
2. Briefly go over your plans for the future
If you’d like to share your plans for the future with your coworkers, remember to keep it brief. Simply provide a short explanation of what your next steps will be, especially if you’re sending your goodbye email to everyone at the company.
3. Thank your colleagues
Give a shout-out to coworkers who have been especially helpful throughout your time at the company. They’re sure to appreciate it, and if you’re sending a copy to your boss, you ensure that your colleagues’ hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Additionally, by acknowledging your coworkers’ efforts, they’re more likely to be willing to help you out if you need a professional favor in the future.
4. Include your contact information
Even if you’re not close with your colleagues and don’t plan on staying in touch outside of work, you should still include your contact information.
Writing down your personal email address, phone number, or a link to your LinkedIn profile in your goodbye email lets coworkers know where to find you and could lead to networking opportunities further down the line.
5. Keep a positive tone
Even if you hate your job and you’re leaving on bad terms, maintain a positive tone throughout your farewell email to your coworkers.
You don’t need to fake happiness if you were fired or never got along with your colleagues, just focus on the positive aspects of the job and your excitement for the future. You want to be careful not to burn any bridges.
When to send your farewell email to your colleagues
You should send your farewell email to your colleagues a week before your last day at work so your coworkers have time to come say goodbye to you in person.
You should always make sure your boss knows that you’re leaving before you say your goodbyes or make a new job announcement because they shouldn’t be finding out that you’re quitting through your farewell email.
Templates for your goodbye email to coworkers
To give you an idea of what a goodbye email to your coworkers should look like, here are five samples that you can copy and adjust to fit your own circumstances:
Frequently asked questions about goodbye emails
Need a bit more help? Check out these answers to common questions about goodbye emails.
How do you say goodbye in an email professionally?
Here’s how to say goodbye in an email professionally:
- Strike a balance between formality and warmth
- Start by informing colleagues of your departure and specifying your last day
- Keep the message concise while expressing gratitude for the experiences and relationships you formed
- Share brief insights about your future plans
- Conclude by providing your contact details
Here are a few things to avoid to keep your email professional:
- Any negative comments about the company (or coworkers) you’re leaving
- Oversharing about why you’re leaving or the perks at your awesome new job
What is a good subject for a goodbye email?
Here are some good subject lines for your goodbye email:
- Farewell and thank you
- Goodbye with gratitude
- Saying thanks and goodbye
- Onward with appreciation
- Best wishes and goodbye
- Cheers to new adventures
- Endings and beginnings
- Heartfelt farewell
- Wishing you a fond farewell
- Saying goodbye, staying connected
How do you say goodbye on the last day of work?
On your last day of work, take the opportunity for face-to-face interactions.
Now’s your chance to express gratitude to colleagues and supervisors for their support and guidance and exchange contact information with those you want to stay connected with.
If you want to send a last day of work message, here’s an excellent example you can send to your colleagues:
Hello Everyone,
Today marks the end of an incredible journey here at [Company]. As I move on, I wanted to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for the amazing experiences and friendships I’ve gained during my time here.
I feel fortunate to have been a part of such a talented and supportive team. The memories we’ve created and the challenges we’ve overcome together will stay with me as I step into this new chapter. While I’ll miss our day-to-day interactions, I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Please stay in touch! You can reach me at [email address] or connect with me on LinkedIn ([LinkedIn Profile URL]). Let’s keep the lines of communication open and continue to support each other in our respective journeys.
Thank you again for everything, and I wish each and every one of you nothing but success, growth, and happiness in the future.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
