Leaving a job is a major milestone in anyone’s career. How you exit your workplace can leave a lasting impression on colleagues, managers, and even the organisation itself. Sending a farewell email or last working day email is a professional way to express gratitude, maintain relationships, and formally mark the end of your tenure.
A well-written farewell email helps you:
- Express appreciation to colleagues and managers
- Maintain professional connections for networking.
- Leave a positive impression on your team organisation
- Provide closure for both you and your coworkers.
This guide covers everything from why farewell emails matter to structuring your message and 5 detailed templates for different scenarios, along with tips, common mistakes, and FAQs.
Internal Linking Tip: Employees can also explore HR shared services to get guidance on formal exit communication.
Why Farewell Emails Are Important
Farewell emails go beyond etiquette; they reflect your professionalism and emotional intelligence. Here’s why they matter:
- Professional Courtesy: Shows respect for your colleagues and managers.
- Networking Opportunities: Keeps connections alive for future references, collaborations, or job opportunities.
- Positive Closure: Helps you and your team conclude your working relationship on a good note.
- Documentation: Provides a record of your departure and an acknowledgement of the team.
Sending a thoughtful farewell email ensures that you leave on a positive note and strengthens your professional brand.
Structuring a Farewell Email
A professional farewell email generally includes:
- Subject Line: Clear and concise. Examples:
- “Farewell and Thank You – [Your Name]”
- “Last Working Day – [Your Name]”
- “Goodbye and Best Wishes – [Your Name]”
- “Adieu – [Your Name]”
- “Farewell and Thank You – [Your Name]”
- Greeting: Tailored to the recipient or audience.
- “Dear Team,”
- “Dear Colleagues,”
- “Dear [Manager’s Name],”
- “Dear Team,”
- Expression of Gratitude: Acknowledge support, mentorship, and collaboration.
- Highlight Experiences: Mention memorable projects, achievements, or lessons learned.
- Contact Information: Share your email, LinkedIn, or other professional contacts.
- Closing Remarks: End on a positive note, wishing your colleagues and team success.
5 Farewell Email Templates
1. To Colleagues
Subject: Farewell and Thank You
Dear Team,
As I embark on a new chapter, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your support, collaboration, and friendship over the past [X] years. Working with such a talented group has been an incredible experience.
Please feel free to stay in touch via [email] or LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile].
Wishing you all continued success and happiness.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Why it works: Appreciates teamwork and highlights personal relationships.
2. To Your Manager
Subject: Last Working Day – Thank You
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your guidance and mentorship during my tenure at [Company Name]. Your leadership has been instrumental in my professional growth, and I deeply appreciate the opportunities you’ve provided.
I hope to carry the knowledge and skills gained here into my next role. Please feel free to reach me at [email] or connect on LinkedIn [LinkedIn Profile].
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Why it works: Focuses on mentorship and learning while maintaining professionalism.
3. To the Entire Office
Subject: Goodbye and Best Wishes
Dear All,
As I bid farewell to [Company Name], I want to thank everyone for making my time here memorable. From teamwork to fun moments, I will always cherish the experiences we shared.
Please feel free to reach out anytime at [email] or LinkedIn: [LinkedIn Profile].
Wishing you all the very best in your endeavours.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Why it works: Offers a formal, office-wide goodbye while keeping the tone positive.
4. Heartfelt Personal Farewell
Subject: Farewell – With Gratitude
Dear Friends,
Saying goodbye is never easy, but I want to express my deepest appreciation for all the support and camaraderie I’ve experienced at [Company Name]. The collaboration, challenges, and learning moments will always hold a special place in my career journey.
Let’s stay connected: [email/LinkedIn]. I hope our paths cross again.
With warm regards,
[Your Name]
Why it works: Personalised and emotional, suitable for close colleagues or teams you’ve worked closely with.
5. Professional and Concise
Subject: Farewell Notice – [Your Name]
Dear Team,
As I complete my tenure at [Company Name], I want to extend my gratitude for the collaboration, guidance, and support I’ve received. It has been a privilege to work alongside each of you.
I look forward to staying in touch via [email/LinkedIn]. Wishing everyone continued success.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Why it works: Short, professional, and to the point, suitable for large teams or senior management.
Tips for Writing Effective Farewell Emails
- Personalise Each Message: Address individuals by name or reference shared experiences.
- Maintain a Positive Tone: Focus on gratitude and achievements rather than negative experiences.
- Include Contact Details: Encourage networking and professional connections.
- Proofread: Ensure grammar and spelling are correct.
- Timing: Send the email a day before your last working day for maximum impact.
- Use Templates as a Guide: Customise templates rather than sending generic messages.
Internal Linking Tip: Employees can leverage Learning and Development Services to improve written communication and professional email etiquette.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Negativity: Avoid mentioning conflicts, complaints, or frustrations.
- Casual Language: Maintain professionalism.
- Too Long or Overly Formal: Keep emails readable and approachable.
- Not Sending to All Relevant Parties: Ensure your email reaches colleagues, teams, and managers.
Sample “Adieu” Email Format
For organisations with formal cultures, an adieu email can be slightly more ceremonial:
Subject: Adieu and Best Wishes
Dear Colleagues,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from [Company Name]. I am deeply thankful for the mentorship, support, and camaraderie I have received over the past [X] years.
I wish each of you success in your future endeavours and hope to stay connected: [email/LinkedIn].
With warm regards,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Crafting a thoughtful farewell email is crucial for leaving a positive and lasting impression. With the 5 templates, tips, and best practices shared in this guide, you can write farewell emails that are professional, heartfelt, and memorable.At TheHireArc, we provide guidance for professional communication and employee engagement through HR Shared Services and Learning & Development Services, ensuring employees leave on a high note while maintaining lasting professional relationships.
FAQs About Farewell Emails
1. How to write a last working day mail?
Use a clear subject, thank your colleagues, highlight experiences, and provide contact details.
2. What is the best farewell email template?
Choose a template based on the recipient—colleagues, managers, entire office, or personal contacts.
3. Should I write to my manager separately?
Yes, a separate email to your manager is recommended to express personalised gratitude.
4. Can I include personal anecdotes?
Yes, anecdotes make your farewell more genuine, but keep them professional.
5. When should I send a farewell email?
Send it a day or two before your last working day for the best impact.
With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, strategic workforce planning, and compliance-driven recruitment, Suraj has a deep understanding of the HR landscape — from emerging gig models to enterprise-level staffing solutions. His expertise lies in translating complex hiring challenges into actionable, scalable strategies that drive both performance and retention.
What truly sets Suraj apart is his critical thinking approach to solving hiring bottlenecks. Whether it’s identifying inefficiencies in the recruitment pipeline or designing adaptive hiring frameworks, he applies structured reasoning, behavioral analysis, and market intelligence to deliver sustainable solutions.
Beyond recruitment, Suraj is passionate about bridging the gap between business intelligence and human potential, fostering data-backed HR strategies that empower organizations to make smarter hiring decisions.
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