Throughout the entire life-cycle of employment, there will be a number of instances when an employee has to leave their current organisation. This may be because the employee got a better job, or because he/she is moving somewhere else, or because they are taking a break from their professional lives to pursue something else. In any case, a good-bye letter comes in extremely handy.
A good-bye letter is a formal letter that the employee hands over to his employer or boss. This is different from a resignation letter. A resignation letter attempts to formally communicate that an employee wishes to resign from their job. A resignation letter dominantly talks about the professional aspects related to employment. A good-bye letter, on the other hand, attempts to communicate a sentiment of gratitude and appreciation from the employee to the employer.
An employee writes a goodbye letter to express that he had a good time working in the organisation and wants to create a long term cordial relationship with his/her boss. It is to thank the employer for the experiences and opportunities that have been provided to the employee. The employer is wished well and also the contact details of the employee are provided to keep the possibility of future interaction alive.
It is also not necessary that an employee only has to write a goodbye letter to his/her employer. He/she can also write one to his colleagues, or his clients. It completely depends upon his discretion.
Purpose Of Good-bye Letters
Like already mentioned, good-bye letters have several purposes. In the below-mentioned list, they are objectively mentioned:
- Provides a healthy ending to a professional relationship.
- Satisfies a healthy professional etiquette.
- Improves the chase of the employer providing a Letter of Recommendation or a referral
- Forming long-term professional and personal connections.
How to Write Good Bye Email on Last Day in Office
Any letter be it formal or informal has a specific guideline or format that it has to adhere to. For good-bye letters even though the generic format remains the same, there are a few guidelines that can help in forming a perfectly drafted good-bye letter.
Salutation
The letter should begin with a professional salutation. Even though it is not a professionally binding letter, it is best to keep the salutation professional. Beginning the letter with a Mr, Mrs, Sir or Madam should be followed. In case the employee calls the employer or his colleagues by their first names, the salutation can be made in that regard too.
Reminder
The letter should provide a gentle reminder to your last day of employment. Provided the resignation letter is already submitted and approved, the last day of the employee’s work is also probably decided. So the last day should be included in the letter.
Gratitude and Appreciation
The employee should write how he appreciates his tenure in the organisation and how good the experience has been. He can show his gratitude to his boss and his colleagues who have contributed to his employment being a great experience.
Best Wishes
Leaving an organisation does not mean that an employee should leave on sour terms. Hence in a goodbye letter, the employee should convey his best wishes to the employer and his colleagues for their persistent success. He/she should communicate that even though he /she is not in the organisation, he wishes to send only good wishes to his team.
Contact details
The letter should contain the contact details of the employee for maintaining relationship with his/her employer and colleagues. It means that the employee wishes for the future association or simply wants to be in touch.
Closing salutation
The letter should also end with a gentle closing salutation. It should contain the signature of the employee with closing notes such as “Best wishes”, “Good regards” or “Thank you”.
Good Bye Email Smaples
A few samples of good-bye letters are provided below.
1. The employee has resigned due to moving to another country. Letter to the boss.
Dear Mr/Mrs *Name*
As you are already aware that *date* is my last day off association as *job position* with *company name*. This prolonged association is hard to let go but I am surely excited to explore my life in Germany and tap new opportunities.
I would like to express my gratitude to you as you have been the best guidance one could ask for. Thank you for being a great motivator and leader. Under your guidance, I have evolved as a professional and shall these shall positively impact me in the days to come.
I wish you and your entire team all the very best for future endeavours. With the enthusiasm and dedication that you always work with, the rates of success shall e unprecedented.
*phone number* is my contact number and *email-id* is my mail address. I will look forward to being in touch with you and any future associations that can be possible.
Best regards
*Sender’s name*
2. An employee is leaving the job for a different organisation. Letter to the employer.
Hello Mr/Mrs *Name*
With a heavy heart, I am writing this letter to say that *date* is my last working day as *job position* in *company name*. WIth being really sad, I am also very excited to start my new job as a *job role* . It will be testing my limits and putting my newly acquired skills to test.
I shall be forever grateful to you for the opportunities you have provided me to thrive. Your guidance has developed me as a professional and your leadership has prepared me for all contingencies at the workplace.
I wish all the very best for all your future endeavours. I send my best regards to all the upcoming projects you wish to undertake and I wish only success for you.
*phone number* is my contact number and *email-id* is my mail address. I will look forward to being in touch with you and any future associations that can be possible.
Best regards
*Sender’s name*
3. The employee wishes to pursue personal interests. Letter to the employer.
Dear Mr/Mrs *Name*
*date* is my last day at work in *company*. I write this letter with an extremely heavy heart. However, I am very hopeful about the new life that awaits me. I am going to explore my passion for photography and I am looking forward to it.
You as a leader has brushed up all my skills and made me the professional that I am today. With your motivation, I have been able to reach heights of success and I cannot show my gratitude enough for that. You are an extremely competent leader, guide and an amazing boss to work with.
I wish you and your team all the very best of everything. I am sure you will succeed in all your future endeavours and keep standing tall in your achievements.
*phone number* is my contact number and *email-id* is my mail address. I will look forward to being in touch with you and any future associations that can be possible.
Thank you again,
*Sender’s name*
4. Goodbye letter to a colleague
Dear *Name*
As you already know *date* is my last working day. Even though it breaks my heart to say goodbye-bye to this organisation, I feel it was necessary for me to pursue my interests.
You have been the most amazing co-worker to work with. Your knowledge, insights and proactivity had added much-needed zeal to our team and contributed to gaining all the success. I am extremely grateful to you for being such an amazing colleague, and for constantly motivating me and wishing the best for me.
I wish you all the luck in all your life. I wish that you reach all the heights of success that you pursue ane emerge victoriously.
*phone number* is my contact number and *email-id* is my mail address. I will look forward to being in touch with you and any future associations that can be possible.
Best regards
*Sender’s name*
A properly drafted good-bye letter would not only ensure a healthy professional etiquette but also let an employee end an association on a respectable note.