Best examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees

Short, heartfelt examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees

Let’s start with what most people actually need: short, sincere speeches you can give at a team meeting, office gathering, or virtual send-off.

Here is a brief example of a farewell speech for a long-term employee who has been with the company for 10+ years:

“Good afternoon, everyone. Today we’re celebrating someone who has been part of this company for over eleven years. In that time, Maria has seen us through two office moves, three rebrands, and more software updates than any of us want to count.

What stands out most, though, isn’t just the projects she delivered. It’s the way she showed up for people. She trained new hires when no one asked her to, stayed late when a deadline slipped, and somehow still found time to bring in homemade cookies for the team.

Maria, you’ve been a steady, calming presence here. We’re excited for your next chapter, but we’re really going to miss your kindness, your honesty, and your laugh. On behalf of all of us, thank you for everything you’ve done for this team and this company. Please don’t be a stranger.”

This is one of the best examples of a short farewell speech: specific, warm, and focused on the person’s impact, not just their job title.

Longer examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees (10+ years)

Sometimes the occasion calls for something more substantial: a retirement party, a company-wide town hall, or a formal recognition event. In those cases, you might want a longer speech that still feels natural.

Here’s a longer example of a farewell speech for a 25-year employee retiring from a mid-sized company:

“When someone has been part of an organization for twenty-five years, they’re not just an employee anymore. They’re part of the story. Today, we’re here to celebrate Alex, who joined this company back when our ‘high-tech’ solution was a fax machine and a shared desktop.

Over the years, Alex has worn more job titles than most of us can remember: account manager, team lead, unofficial IT support, and occasional office therapist. But no matter the role, the constant has been his commitment to doing the right thing for our clients and for his colleagues.

There are a few moments that stand out. When we lost our biggest client in 2010, a lot of people were nervous. Alex was the one who calmly sat us down, helped us focus on what we could control, and then picked up the phone to start rebuilding. When the pandemic hit and we moved to remote work almost overnight, he checked in on people individually, not to talk about deadlines, but to ask how they were holding up.

I’ve heard countless stories from people who say, ‘Alex was the first one who made me feel like I belonged here.’ That’s a legacy you can’t measure on a spreadsheet.

As Alex heads into retirement, we know he’ll finally have time for those hiking trips he’s been talking about for years. But I hope he also knows that he leaves behind a team shaped by his patience, his integrity, and his quiet sense of humor.

Alex, on behalf of everyone here, thank you. You’ve helped build this place. We wish you health, joy, and a lot of good trail weather in the years ahead.”

Examples like this work well because they mix storytelling, specific memories, and a clear closing message of appreciation.

Examples include speeches from different perspectives

The best examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees don’t all sound the same, because the relationship to the departing person is different. A manager, a peer, and a direct report will highlight different things.

Example of a farewell speech from a manager

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Priya for the last eight years, and I can say without exaggeration that she has shaped this team more than any policy, process, or strategy I’ve ever rolled out.

When she joined, we were still figuring out who we were as a department. We had good people, but we didn’t have a clear way of working. Priya helped us build that. She documented processes, mentored new hires, and was the first to raise her hand when something wasn’t working.

What I’ll miss most, though, is her honesty. She never told me what I wanted to hear; she told me what I needed to hear. That kind of courage is rare, and this team is stronger because of it.

Priya, thank you for your leadership, even when it didn’t come with a fancy title. You leave a legacy of clarity, compassion, and high standards. We’re going to feel your absence, but we’re also going to carry forward what you built.”

Example of a farewell speech from a colleague/peer

“When I think of Sam, I don’t just think of the incredible work he’s done over the last fifteen years. I think of the small moments: the way he’d show up at your desk when you looked stressed and say, ‘Okay, what are we solving today?’ or how he always volunteered for the tasks no one else wanted.

We’ve been through product launches, late-night deployments, and more than a few ‘learning experiences’ together. Through all of it, Sam has been the person I trusted to tell me the truth, even when it was uncomfortable.

On behalf of your teammates and friends, thank you, Sam. You’ve been our go-to person, our sounding board, and our comic relief. Your next team has no idea how lucky they are.”

Example of a farewell speech from a direct report

“I joined this company three years ago, fresh out of school, and honestly, I was terrified. I didn’t know how to translate what I’d learned into real work. From day one, Jordan made that transition easier.

He never made me feel silly for asking basic questions. He took time to explain not just what we were doing, but why it mattered. When I made mistakes—and I made plenty—he treated them as learning moments, not as reasons to doubt myself.

A lot of us in this room are better professionals because of Jordan’s patience and guidance. As he moves on to his next opportunity, I hope he knows that his impact will last for years in the careers he helped shape.”

These varied perspectives give you multiple examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees that you can adapt depending on your role.

Tailored examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees by situation

Not every goodbye is the same. Retirement, a new job, internal promotion, or even a layoff each call for a slightly different tone.

Retirement farewell speech example

“Today we’re celebrating not just the end of a chapter, but an entire book. After thirty years with this organization, Linda is retiring.

Linda has seen this company through economic ups and downs, leadership changes, and more industry shifts than we can count. Through it all, she has been steady, thoughtful, and deeply committed to our mission.

What I admire most is that she never stopped learning. While some people might have coasted, Linda kept asking questions, taking courses, and mentoring younger staff. She showed us that experience doesn’t mean you stop growing.

Linda, thank you for giving so much of your time, your talent, and your heart to this place. We wish you long mornings with no alarm clock, plenty of travel, and all the time you want with the people you love.”

Farewell speech example for an internal move or promotion

“Today’s farewell is a little different, because we’re not really losing Taylor—we’re just sharing them with another part of the company.

Over the last six years, Taylor has helped turn this team into a high-performing, supportive group that delivers under pressure. From leading our first major cross-functional project to mentoring almost every intern we’ve had, Taylor has consistently gone above and beyond.

While we’re going to miss seeing you in our daily stand-ups, we’re also incredibly proud to see you take on this new leadership role. Please remember: just because your desk is on another floor doesn’t mean you’ve escaped us. We’ll still be calling for advice.”

Farewell speech example for a voluntary resignation

“As many of you know, today is Jordan’s last day with us. After nine years, he’s heading to a new opportunity that fits his long-term goals.

It’s tempting to focus on what we’re losing, but I want to focus on what we’ve gained from having Jordan here. He built relationships with clients that lasted years, mentored junior team members, and consistently raised the bar for quality.

Change is part of every career, and we support Jordan in taking this next step. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed here, and know that you’ll always have supporters cheering you on from this office.”

These situations give you real examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees that match different emotional tones—from bittersweet to celebratory.

How to structure your own speech using these examples

You don’t need to memorize any of these word-for-word. Instead, think of these examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees as building blocks you can rearrange.

A simple, reliable structure is:

Opening:
Introduce the person and the occasion. Mention how long they’ve been with the company and acknowledge the significance of that time.

Middle:
Share 2–3 specific stories or traits:

• A time they went above and beyond.
• How they supported others (mentoring, training, listening).
• How they handled change or challenges.

Closing:
Express gratitude, offer good wishes for their next chapter, and, if appropriate, invite others to continue celebrating (a toast, a message board, a group card).

If you want guidance on public speaking basics—like managing nerves or pacing—resources from organizations such as Toastmasters International and university communication centers (for example, Harvard’s communication tips) can be helpful.

Modern trends for 2024–2025 farewell speeches

Work culture has shifted a lot in the last few years, and that shows up in how we say goodbye to long-term employees.

Hybrid and remote farewells. Many teams are fully or partially remote now. That means farewell speeches often happen over video. In 2024–2025, it’s common to:

• Keep speeches a bit shorter (3–5 minutes) to match virtual attention spans.
• Use shared documents or digital boards where colleagues can add written messages.
• Record the farewell portion of the meeting so the departing employee can keep it.

Focus on well-being and balance. Since the pandemic, there’s more openness about mental health and work-life balance. It’s increasingly normal to acknowledge how someone supported others emotionally or helped maintain a healthy culture. If you mention well-being or burnout, it can be helpful to point employees to reputable resources like the National Institute of Mental Health or the CDC’s mental health resources for ongoing support.

Inclusive, people-first language. Modern examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees avoid overly formal, stiff language. Instead, they:

• Use plain, conversational wording.
• Recognize contributions from all levels, not just leadership.
• Respect different cultural backgrounds and personal boundaries (for example, not oversharing personal details).

FAQ: Real examples and practical questions

What are some short examples of farewell speech lines I can use?

Here are a few simple lines you can plug into your own speech:

• “You’ve left this team better than you found it, and we’re grateful for the time we had with you.”
• “Your impact here will last long after today—through the people you’ve mentored and the work you’ve shaped.”
• “While we’re sad to see you go, we’re excited to see what you do next, and we’ll be cheering you on.”

These are small, repeatable examples of phrases that fit most farewell speech examples for long-term employees.

How long should a farewell speech for a long-term employee be?

For most workplace settings, aim for 3–7 minutes. In a quick team meeting, stay closer to 3 minutes. For a formal retirement event or company-wide gathering, going up to 7–8 minutes is reasonable. Longer than that, and people start to lose focus, especially in virtual meetings.

Can I use humor in a farewell speech? Any example of good humor?

Yes—light, kind humor can make your speech memorable. A safe example of humor is to mention a shared challenge, not a personal flaw:

“Chris has survived three office coffee machines, two major software rollouts, and at least one ‘innovative’ seating chart. Through it all, he somehow kept his sense of humor—and kept the rest of us sane, too.”

Avoid jokes about sensitive topics (appearance, age, family, health, or anything that might embarrass the person).

Where can I find more guidance on speaking confidently?

If public speaking makes you nervous, you’re in very good company. Many professionals struggle with it. Free tips and resources from organizations like Toastmasters International and university communication programs (such as Harvard’s public speaking resources) offer practical advice on pacing, posture, and managing anxiety.

How personal should I get in a farewell speech?

Aim for respectful warmth. It’s perfectly fine to share a personal story—especially if it highlights the person’s character or support for others—but avoid overly private details. When in doubt, ask yourself: “Would they be comfortable hearing this in front of their manager, their family, or a future employer?” If the answer is yes, you’re likely in safe territory.

Use these examples of farewell speech examples for long-term employees as a starting point, not a script you must follow exactly. Swap in your own stories, adjust the tone to fit your culture, and speak like yourself. The most memorable farewells are less about perfect wording and more about honest appreciation, spoken out loud, in front of people who care.