When an employee is leaving your company, the way you say farewell to them really matters. They might have been working at the organisation for decades, or just for a few months, but wishing them the best in their future endeavors reflects well on the company and shows them you have an interest in their personal life too.
There are multiple reasons a colleague or employee might leave the business, and the final exchange should always be meaningful. They might be retiring, accepting a job at another company, or focusing on raising their family. Whatever the situation, there are lots of great ways you can say goodbye.
Businesses that say goodbye properly with a bespoke thank you card and even a gift, shows that they live their company ethos of putting people first, and building a workplace that people feel part of, and will be missed when they leave. It’s not just a nicety, it’s a profound expression of gratitude for their service on a professional level.
Reasons why saying goodbye to a colleague properly matters
More than just a ‘nice thing to do’, giving a colleague a proper send off has lots of benefits for the company, the employee who’s leaving, and also the employees who aren’t leaving.
It allows for the employee’s contribution to be highlighted
An employee in an organisation has given their time, creativity, energy, and knowledge to the various tasks that they’ve completed. A well-crafted message acknowledges this and allows them to feel that their contribution and dedication has been noted.
It enhances the values of the organisation
Too many businesses fall back on buzzwords such as ‘people-focused’ but don’t always manage to live them out effectively. When you treat them with the respect and sincere appreciation that they deserve, the brand ethos is seen in every aspect.
It can give a boost to the morale of other employees
When employees see their peers being celebrated and appreciated as they prepare to leave the workplace, it shows them that they too are valued. It can send a message that commitment is recognised within the workplace and improves overall morale.
It ends the collaboration on a positive note
No matter what the reason is for an employee leaving, a thank you card for a colleague allows the professional relationship to end on a positive note. The employee will always remember how they were treated when their job ended after months or years of work.
Things to remember when writing a leaving card
Giving a card to a leaving employee is a lovely gesture, and the message inside can transform a simple message into one that is memorable. Even within a corporate setting, there are a few things that you should remember when writing your message to an employee that’s leaving to make it more impactful.
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- Remember to use their name and job title if appropriate, or even the department they worked in so that the message is more personal and direct.
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- Try to remember a specific project or campaign they were involved in to show that you valued the contribution they made to it.
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- Always include a couple of their best traits and strengths that stand out to you, such as creativity or leadership, to personalise the card.
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- Don’t use generic language which can seem insincere. You can use a phrase like ‘best of luck’, but at the end of your card or within a sentence, not on its own.
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- Keep a professional tone to reflect the fact the card is coming from the organisation. Use sarcasm and humour sparingly to ensure it’s well-received.
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- Where possible, take the time to write the message by hand to add a personal touch rather than just a printed message.
What to write in a leaving card for a colleague?
When you’re writing a thank you leaving card for a colleague, it can be hard to sum up everything in a single sentence. You can keep it short and sweet, but it must be memorable at the same time.
Here are some quick suggestions of what you can write in a corporate thank you card for an employee that you can mix and match, and write in your own words.
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- We have loved your energy around the office.
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- We will miss working with you.
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- Be sure to stay in touch.
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- Good luck with your future endeavours.
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- Wishing you success in your new role.
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- Your creativity and empathy will be greatly missed.
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- Thank you for all of the memories and laughs.
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- We appreciate your consistent hard work and dedication.
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- It has been a pleasure working with you.
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- The office won’t be the same without you.
Of course, you can have various team members sign the card with their own unique messages too for a personal touch.
How to choose the right corporate thank you leaving card
When you’re giving a leaving card to an employee, it’s one thing to get the message right, but you also need to think about the design of the card.
Choose a style that fits your brand, and where possible, add the company logo as your employee will keep this card and remember the workplace atmosphere.
A neutral style with pops of colour is ideal rather than something overtly colourful which can feel insincere or childish. Cards should be professionally printed with high quality materials to reflect the value you place on the service of the employee over the years, rather than a generic cheap card picked up at the last minute.
Here at Curious Pencil, we have a range of excellent designs to choose from that offer sophistication and style for an employee leaving the organisation. You can customise the card including adding your own logo for continued branding at all levels of your organisation.