How to Write a Leaving Speech

Someone’s moving on. Maybe it’s a new job, a big move, a career change, or a year travelling. Either way, there’s a card going round, a collection for a present, and drinks after work on Friday. And somebody needs to say a few words.

A leaving speech is shorter and lighter than most. It’s not a eulogy or a retirement. The person is off to do something new, and the speech is a warm send-off with a few laughs. This guide covers giving one for a colleague, and giving your own.

• How long it should be
• A leaving speech for a colleague
• Your own leaving speech
• The tricky ones
• Humour, and what to leave out
• Common questions

How long should a leaving speech be?

Two to three minutes is plenty. That’s around 250 to 400 words. Leaving dos are usually informal, often in the office kitchen or the pub, with everyone standing and holding a drink. Short and sweet always wins.

Length	Spoken time	Words (approx.)
Short	About 2 minutes	260
Standard	3 to 4 minutes	450
Longer	About 5 minutes	650

If the person has been there for many years, or it’s a big send-off with senior people there, you can go up to four or five minutes.

A leaving speech for a colleague

Before you write

1. Check how long they’ve been there and what they’ve done. Their role, any promotions, projects they led. A quick look at their LinkedIn or a word with HR helps.
2. Ask the team for one thing each. A story, a habit, a word that sums them up. Even a quick message in the team chat will turn up something good.
3. Find out where they’re going. New job, new city, travelling, a career change. It gives you a natural ending, and often a joke.

A simple structure

1. The hook (20 seconds). A line about them everyone will recognise. “Priya has fixed the printer with one well-placed kick more times than IT has.”
2. Their time here (30 seconds). When they joined, what they’ve done, what they’ve built.
3. What they’re like to work with (1 minute). A funny story, then the one that shows who they really are.
4. What you’ll miss (30 seconds). Be specific. The baking, the calm in a crisis, the terrible puns.
5. Their next adventure (20 seconds). Where they’re going, with a warm wish.
6. The toast (10 seconds). “Please raise your glasses to Priya, and good luck in Australia.”

Short on time? Our leaving speech writer asks about their job, their quirks and your best stories, then writes three versions for you to choose from. You can read the opening for free before deciding.

Your own leaving speech

You don’t always have to say something, but if your team has organised drinks and a card, a few words of thanks go a long way. Here’s how to keep it easy.

1. Thank them for the send-off (15 seconds). The card, the present, the drinks, whoever organised it.
2. A memory or two (1 minute). Your first day, a project you’re proud of, a funny moment the whole team will remember.
3. The thank-yous (1 minute). Your manager, your team, the people who helped you along the way. Name a few, and say why.
4. Where you’re off to (20 seconds). Keep it light. No need to explain why you’re leaving.
5. Parting words (20 seconds). A bit of advice, a warning about the coffee machine, or a promise to keep in touch.
6. The toast (10 seconds). “To all of you. Thanks for everything.”

A tip: keep it upbeat. Even if you’re glad to be going, today isn’t the day to say so. People remember how you left.

The tricky ones

Not every leaving do is straightforward. A few situations that need a little extra care:

They haven’t been there long. Focus on the impression they’ve made in a short time, and what they’ve brought to the team. “In just 18 months, Sam has managed to…” works well.

You don’t know them very well. Ask the people who do for a story or two, and credit them: “Jo tells me that…”. Keep it short and warm.

They’re leaving for a competitor. A light, good-natured joke is fine (“We’ll forgive you, eventually”). Then wish them well and mean it.

The exit is awkward. Redundancy, a falling-out, or a quiet departure nobody talks about. Don’t mention why they’re going. Focus on what they’ve contributed and wish them well for the future. Keep it brief.

They’re moving abroad. A gift for jokes about the weather, the time difference, and finally getting a decent tan. Finish with something heartfelt about keeping in touch.

It’s a career change or a big leap. Celebrate their courage. People often admire someone doing something brave, and saying so means a lot.

Humour, and what to leave out

Leaving speeches are a great place for light, affectionate humour about working life.

What works:

• Their office reputation. The baker, the fire drill enthusiast, the one who knows how the coffee machine works.
• A famous moment. The reply-all email to the whole company. The video call with the camera still on.
• Jokes about what’s next. The new commute, the new office with better biscuits, the team they’ll be lucky to have.

What to leave out

• Why they’re leaving. Unless it’s a happy, public reason, like moving to be near family.
• Digs at the company or management. Even as a joke. The boss is listening, and it reflects on everyone.
• Digs at the new employer. Wish them well, not bad luck.
• Office gossip and HR matters. If it happened in a closed meeting, keep it there.
• In-jokes only one team gets. People from other departments will be there too.

Want a hand?

Leaving dos often come round quickly, and the speech gets written on the train in. Our leaving speech writer can save you the stress.

Tell us about the person (or yourself), the job, where they’re off to and a story or two. We write three versions of your speech, from mostly funny to mostly heartfelt, all built around your own memories. You read how it opens for free, and only pay £9.99 if you love it.

Use it as it is, or as a starting point to make it your own.

Leaving speech questions

More speech guides

Got another speech to write? Read our guides to the retirement speech and birthday speech.