Guide · Speeches · About a 5-minute read
How to write a leaving speech without making it awkward
Leaving dos are short, informal and usually in a pub or the office kitchen. The best leaving speeches are warm, specific and over in about three minutes. Here's how to write one, whether you're saying goodbye to a colleague or it's your own last day.
How long?
Two to four minutes, about 250 to 500 words. People are standing, holding drinks and some will need to leave for a train. Write it, read it aloud against a timer and cut anything that doesn't earn its place.
Speaking about a colleague who's leaving
- Gather people and say why you're there (15 seconds). "Can I have everyone for a minute? We're here to say goodbye to Sam."
- Their time here (30 seconds). How long they've been with the team and what they looked after, in one or two plain sentences.
- One story (1 minute). A single short story that shows what they're like: the time they rescued a deadline, their legendary tea round, the client who asked for them by name. One good story beats five quick ones.
- Thank-you and good luck (30 seconds). Thank them for something specific and say where they're off to, if they're happy for people to know.
- The toast. "Please raise your glasses: to Sam, and the new job."
Your own leaving speech
- Thank whoever organised it and anyone who said kind words.
- A memory or two that the room shares, ideally one that makes people laugh.
- Thank your team for something specific, by team rather than reading every name.
- Where you're going, in one sentence, if you want to share it.
- A warm goodbye, such as "keep in touch" and your personal email or LinkedIn if you want people to find you.
What to avoid
- Complaints, grudges and "I'm finally free". Your old manager may be your future reference.
- Jokes at someone's expense, including the person leaving.
- In-jokes that only half the room gets.
- Reading from your phone. Print it in large type or use cue cards.
Template: for a colleague
Can I grab everyone for a couple of minutes? Thanks. We're here because, sadly, [name] is leaving us after [time].
In that time [name] has [what they did or looked after], and somehow made it look easy.
The story I'll always remember is [one short story]. That's [name] all over: [the quality it shows].
[Name], thank you for [something specific]. [New employer or next step] are lucky to have you.
So please raise your glasses: to [name], and whatever comes next.
Template: your own last day
Thank you all for coming, and thanks to [organiser] for sorting this out. And to [speaker]: I'll pay you later.
When I started here [time] ago, [one detail about how things were]. Since then we've [a shared memory or achievement], and I'll never forget [a funny moment].
To [team]: thank you for [something specific]. I've learned more from you than you realise.
I'm off to [next step], but I'd love to stay in touch. So, a toast: to [the team]. Thank you, all of you.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a leaving speech be?
- Two to four minutes is plenty for a leaving do, which is roughly 250 to 500 words. Leaving drinks are informal, so shorter is better than longer.
- What do you say in a leaving speech for a colleague?
- Say how long they have been there and what they did, share one short story that shows what they are like, thank them for something specific, wish them luck in the new job, and finish with a toast.
- What should I say in my own leaving speech?
- Thank the organiser, share a memory or two, thank your team for something specific, say briefly where you are going, and end on a warm goodbye. Keep it positive even if you are leaving because you were unhappy.
- Should I mention why I'm leaving?
- Only briefly and only if it is good news, such as a promotion, a move or a new adventure. Never use the speech to air complaints about the company or managers.
Want it written for you?
TCH Works writes leaving and retirement speeches from a short questionnaire. You give us the stories; we write a speech that sounds like you and fits your time slot, with printable cue cards. Up to five minutes is £25; up to ten minutes with next-working-day delivery is £45.