When someone leaves, the team wants to tell them one thing: it was good having you here. Everything else, the slideshow, the gift and the speeches, is a way of saying that. A good farewell party leaves room for it: a quarter of an hour of photos and words, then an evening where everyone comes over and says goodbye in their own way. Here are 8 ideas, how to write a farewell speech, and a schedule for a 3-hour evening.
Before you start
Ask the person leaving
Some people want a big night, and some would rather keep it small with no speeches. One quiet question two weeks ahead saves an evening that doesn't suit them. A surprise only works when you already know they like surprises.
Decide who's invited
The close team, the whole department, or former colleagues too. After many years at the company, invite people who worked with them in the past. That's usually the part that moves them most.
Pick the date
Their last week at work, not their last day. The last day is for handovers, returning equipment and closing emails. An evening after work or a long lunch, whatever suits the team.
8 farewell party ideas for work
1. A slideshow from day one to the last week
Photos from events, office birthdays, funny screenshots from the group chat. 30 to 50 photos, set to the song they love most. On a big screen, everyone looks up instead of at their phones.
2. Video messages from people who can't come
Former colleagues, long-time clients, coworkers abroad. Each films 20 seconds on their phone, and one person stitches it into a 3-minute video.
3. A video call on the screen
When part of the team works abroad or from home, bring them in on a call during the speeches and put it on the screen. That way the people far away raise a glass with everyone else.
4. A book of messages
Everyone writes a few lines, by hand or in a form that gets printed. Give it to them at the end of the night; it stays with them long after the slideshow is forgotten.
5. A "how well do you know them" quiz
10 questions about the person leaving, which they answer in advance without knowing why. Put them on the screen, the team guesses, and it turns out who really listened in meetings.
6. Their sayings
Everyone has a line they say in every meeting. Collect 5 of them from the team and read them out on the microphone. That's when the whole room laughs, because everyone recognises them.
7. One gift from everyone
Instead of ten small gifts, collect for one thing they'll really use. Give it after the speeches, while everyone is still by the bar.
8. The last song
The person leaving chooses the song that closes the formal part, or the whole playlist for the night. That way the music is about them too.
A farewell speech for a coworker in 5 steps
A good farewell speech lasts 2 to 3 minutes. The person speaking is whoever worked with them most closely, not only the most senior manager. This structure works even for people who don't like speaking in public.
1. Open with their first day
When they joined, and what you remember from their first week. One sentence is enough.
2. One story
A single moment that shows who they are. Not a list of achievements, a short story the whole team recognises.
3. What they leave behind
Something concrete that stays after them: a process they built, someone they trained, a habit everyone picked up.
4. A wish for the road
What you wish them in the next place, without overdoing it. One short, honest sentence works better than flowery words.
5. A toast
Finish with a toast in their honour, and hand them the microphone for the last word.
A 3-hour farewell party schedule
- 19:00 the team arrives before the person leaving, the slideshow is ready on the screen
- 19:15 the person leaving walks in, first drink
- 19:40 the slideshow and the video messages
- 19:50 2 to 3 short speeches on the microphone
- 20:05 the gift, the book of messages and the last word
- 20:10 the buffet, conversation, the music goes up
- 22:00 finish
The formal part starts 40 minutes after arrival and is over within a quarter of an hour. Latecomers don't miss the moment, and nobody stands around for an hour waiting for speeches.
Saying goodbye to a manager, and retirement parties
A farewell for a manager
Here the team does the talking. One speech from an employee who worked with them for years and one from their own manager, no more. A joint letter from the whole team, read out loud, almost always works.
A retirement party
After decades at the company, invite the family and former colleagues too. The formal part is longer, with 3 to 4 speeches and a video, so some guests should be seated. A 3 to 4 hour evening, or a long lunch.
A farewell party at Ezra
At a farewell, most of the evening happens in one quarter of an hour, and then the room has to work for you. At Ezra the slideshow goes up on a big screen from a computer already wired to the projector, so you send it ahead and don't bring a laptop. There are two microphones, one for the speech and one that passes around for messages, and a PA. The space closes for one group, for teams of 20 to 50.
The bar runs with Ezra's bartenders, and next to it a varied buffet for sharing: pizzas from the taboon oven, salads, breads and bruschetta trays. For a 3-hour farewell after work, the happy hour track fits, with a light buffet, wine and beer. For a longer evening, all the tracks are on the company events page.
The bottom line
A farewell party for a coworker is a 2 to 3 hour evening built around one quarter of an hour: a slideshow, 2 to 3 short speeches, one gift from everyone, and the last word from the person leaving. A good speech lasts 2 to 3 minutes and tells one story. Ask the person leaving what they want, and organise it two to three weeks before their last day.
A farewell party at a private bar, for 20 to 50
A projector for the slideshow, two microphones for the speeches, a bar and a buffet. A 3-hour happy hour or a full evening.
Happy hour at Ezra Message us on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
What do you do at a farewell party for a coworker?
A slideshow of their years at the company, 2 to 3 short speeches, messages from the team, one gift from everyone, and at the end the last word from the person leaving. After the formal part, food, conversation and music.
How long should a farewell speech at work be?
2 to 3 minutes. Enough to open with their first day, tell one story, say what they leave behind and finish with a toast.
What do you write to a coworker who is leaving?
One sentence on what it was like working next to them, one detail only you know, and a short wish for the next place. Short and honest works better than a long speech.
When should you hold a farewell party for an employee?
In their last week at work, not on their last day. An evening after work or a long lunch, organised 2 to 3 weeks ahead.
How do you say goodbye to a manager who is leaving?
Let the team speak: one speech from an employee who worked with them a lot and one from their own manager. A joint letter from the team, read out loud, almost always works.