The best examples of goodbye email examples for your boss

Short, professional examples of goodbye email examples for your boss

Let’s start with the kind of message most people need: short, polite, and safe to send to almost any manager. These examples of goodbye email examples for your boss work well in corporate, government, and more formal workplaces.

Example 1: Simple and professional
Use this when your relationship with your boss was good, but not deeply personal.

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

As you know, today is my last day with [Company]. I wanted to thank you for your support and guidance during my time here. I’ve learned a lot from working on [specific project or responsibility], and I appreciate the opportunities you’ve given me to grow.

I can be reached at [personal email] or on LinkedIn at [LinkedIn URL]. I hope our paths cross again in the future.

All the best,
[Your Name]

What makes this one of the best examples is its balance: it’s warm without oversharing, specific without getting long, and it leaves the door open for future contact.

Example 2: Very brief goodbye email to your boss
Good for busy environments or when you prefer to keep things very light.

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work with you and the team. I’ve appreciated your support during my time at [Company].

You can reach me at [personal email] if you ever need anything.

Best,
[Your Name]

If you’re looking for an example of a message that’s almost impossible to misread, this is it.

Warm and personal examples of goodbye email examples for your boss

If your boss has been more of a mentor than just a manager, you can lean into a more personal tone. These examples of goodbye email examples for your boss add a little extra heart while still staying professional.

Example 3: When your boss was a mentor

Subject: Thank You for Your Mentorship

Hi [Manager’s Name],

As I wrap up my time at [Company], I want to say a genuine thank you for everything you’ve taught me. Your feedback, especially around [specific skill or project], has made a real difference in my growth.

I’ve really valued your trust and the way you encouraged me to take on new challenges. I’ll carry those lessons with me into this next chapter at [new company or “my next role”].

I’d love to stay in touch—my personal email is [email], and here’s my LinkedIn: [URL].

With appreciation,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples when you want your boss to know they mattered to you professionally.

Example 4: When you’ve worked together for years

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

It’s hard to believe today is my last day after [X] years at [Company]. I want to thank you for your leadership and for trusting me with [key responsibilities or projects]. Working with you has shaped not just my career, but also how I think about teamwork and leadership.

I’ll miss our [weekly meetings / project check‑ins / quick hallway conversations], but I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned here in my next role.

Please keep in touch—my personal email is [email], and you can find me on LinkedIn at [URL].

Wishing you and the team continued success,
[Your Name]

If you’re searching for real examples that feel sincere but not overly emotional, this strikes that middle ground.

Examples of goodbye email examples for your boss when you’re leaving for a new job

When you’re heading to a new role, there’s a temptation to overshare about your next move. The best examples keep the focus on gratitude, not on how “exciting” your new company is.

Example 5: Leaving for a new opportunity

Subject: Thank You and Next Steps

Hi [Manager’s Name],

As I move on to a new opportunity at [new company or “a new organization”], I want to thank you for the support and trust you’ve shown me at [current company]. I’ve especially appreciated working on [specific projects] under your leadership.

The experience and skills I’ve gained here have prepared me well for this next step, and I’m grateful for your role in that.

I hope we can stay connected—my personal email is [email], and here’s my LinkedIn: [URL].

Wishing you all the best,
[Your Name]

Example 6: Internal move within the same company

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I wanted to thank you as I transition from [current team] to [new team] next week. I’ve learned a lot from your leadership, especially around [specific skill or area], and I’m grateful for your support in this move.

I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you in a different capacity and hope I can bring what I’ve learned from you into my new role.

Thanks again for everything,
[Your Name]

This is an example of a goodbye email that isn’t really a goodbye, but still respects the change in reporting lines.

Examples include tricky situations: layoffs, resignations, and burnout

Not every departure is smooth. Maybe you’re burned out, frustrated, or impacted by a layoff. The best examples of goodbye email examples for your boss in these situations stay neutral, brief, and dignified.

Example 7: After a layoff or restructuring

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

As my time at [Company] comes to an end due to the recent changes, I want to thank you for the opportunity to work with you and the team. I’ve appreciated your support and the chance to contribute to [team or project].

I’m proud of what we accomplished together, especially [brief accomplishment], and I’ll carry those experiences forward.

If you’d like to stay in touch, I can be reached at [personal email] or on LinkedIn at [URL].

Wishing you and the team all the best,
[Your Name]

This kind of message keeps emotion in check while still sounding human.

Example 8: When the relationship was difficult

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

As I finish my last day at [Company], I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work on [team or project]. I’ve learned a great deal about [specific skills or industry], and I appreciate the experience I’ve gained here.

I wish you and the team continued success in the future.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

If you need an example of a goodbye email that stays polite without pretending everything was perfect, this is a good template.

Casual examples of goodbye email examples for your boss (startups, creative teams)

In startups, agencies, or creative fields, it’s often fine to sound a bit more relaxed—as long as you stay respectful.

Example 9: Casual but respectful tone

Subject: Thank You

Hey [Manager’s Name],

Just a quick note to say thanks for everything during my time at [Company]. I’ve really appreciated the chance to work on [project] and to learn from you and the team.

I’m excited for what’s next, but I’ll definitely miss working with you. Let’s stay in touch—my email is [email], and here’s my LinkedIn: [URL].

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

Example 10: Remote or hybrid work setup

Subject: Thank You

Hi [Manager’s Name],

Before I log off for the last time, I wanted to thank you for your support during my time at [Company]. Leading a remote team isn’t easy, and I’ve appreciated the way you’ve kept us connected and informed.

I’ve learned a lot from collaborating with you and the team from afar, especially on [specific project or initiative]. I hope we can stay in touch—my personal email is [email], and my LinkedIn is [URL].

All the best,
[Your Name]

These more relaxed versions are real examples of how people actually write in modern, flexible workplaces.

How to customize these examples of goodbye email examples for your boss

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Take any example of a goodbye email above and tweak three things:

First, adjust the level of detail.
If your boss is busy or very senior, keep it short. Mention one project instead of five. If you worked closely day‑to‑day, a slightly longer note feels more natural.

Second, match your usual tone.
If you’ve always called them “Hi Sam,” don’t suddenly switch to “Dear Mr. Thompson.” Consistency matters more than sounding formal for its own sake. Research from communication experts (for instance, business writing guides from Harvard University) often emphasizes clarity, sincerity, and audience awareness over stiff formality.

Third, be specific at least once.
The best examples include one concrete reference: a project, a skill, or a moment when your boss backed you up. That one detail makes the message feel real instead of copy‑pasted.

You don’t have to share why you’re leaving. In fact, many HR and workplace resources, including materials from the U.S. Department of Labor at dol.gov, encourage keeping written records professional and neutral. Save detailed explanations for private conversations, not email.

2024–2025 etiquette tips for goodbye emails to your boss

Work norms keep shifting—more remote work, more messaging apps, and more job changes. A few current trends to keep in mind when using these examples of goodbye email examples for your boss:

Keep it private, then public.
Email your boss directly before posting a public goodbye on LinkedIn or sending a team‑wide message. It’s a sign of respect and avoids surprises.

Be careful with health and personal details.
If you’re leaving for health reasons, you’re not required to explain anything. U.S. resources like the National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic stress privacy and boundaries around medical information. A simple line like “I’m taking time to focus on my health and family” is more than enough if you choose to share.

Avoid venting in writing.
Even if you’re angry or burned out, your goodbye email is not the place to unload. Emails can be forwarded, screenshotted, and revisited. A neutral, polite note protects your future references and reputation.

Use personal contact details, not work ones.
Include your personal email and LinkedIn, not your work phone or company address—which may be shut off immediately after you leave.

Time it right.
Most people send their goodbye email to their boss on their last day or the afternoon before, after any formal announcements have gone out. That timing feels current and respectful.

FAQ: Real examples and common questions about goodbye emails to your boss

How long should a goodbye email to my boss be?
Most of the best examples of goodbye email examples for your boss are between 100 and 200 words. Long enough to say thank you and mention something specific, short enough that a busy manager will actually read it.

Should I mention why I’m leaving?
You can, but you don’t have to. A simple phrase like “as I move on to a new opportunity” or “as I wrap up my time here” is usually enough. If you need an example of how to say it gracefully, look back at Example 5 in this guide.

Is it okay to ask my boss for a reference in my goodbye email?
It’s better to ask in a separate message or conversation. Your goodbye note should focus on appreciation. Later, you can send a short follow‑up: “Would you be comfortable serving as a reference for me in the future?”

Can I copy these examples word‑for‑word?
You can, but it’s smarter to personalize them slightly. Change at least a few lines so your boss doesn’t feel like they’re reading a generic template. Real examples of good goodbye emails always sound a little bit like the person who wrote them.

What are some quick examples of subject lines for a goodbye email to my boss?
Examples include: “Thank You,” “Thank You and Best Wishes,” “Wrapping Up at [Company],” or “My Last Day at [Company].” Keep it simple and clear so they know what to expect.

Use these examples of goodbye email examples for your boss as a starting point, not a script you must follow perfectly. The goal is simple: end the working relationship on a respectful, appreciative note, and leave the door open for future connections. If your message does that, you’ve done it right.