Remarks to Send off Employee

You Had Me at Hello

We can call him Tim Andrews. Where he worked and what he did really don’t matter. What we know is that he was a superstar, one of those employees you never want to see leave, but you know they must and are probably better off for doing so. Nevertheless, all you can do is, if you are Tim’s supervisor, is what this speaker does: praise him to the skies and make sure he knows he is welcome back. Every farewell speech offers praise. This one frames the praise in terms of the bright future this employee will have. The length of these remarks is ideal as is the tone of massive congratulations and ever-so-slight regret.

Scoping Document

Event: Employee farewell ceremony
Theme: Beloved employee bids farewell
Place: Anywhere
Date: Anytime
Audience: Fellow coworkers
Speech: About 2 minutes, 223 words

You might remember a line from the film “Jerry McGuire.”

The heroine tells the hero, “You had me at hello.”

That’s the way we all feel about Tim Andrews, who we are all gathered to send off with our best wishes.

Let me be frank.

There are employees we absolutely hate to leave us, and there are those about whose departure we are more indifferent.

Timothy Andrews is the poster boy for the first category.

Tim, I am so very proud of all that you have accomplished here, all that you have given us, all that will stay with us after you are gone.

I am also proud that you are leaving us to take on a position of so much responsibility and potential. I know that you will do very excellent things in your new job.

We will read about you in the trade magazines.

We will point to you with pride as we say, “Timothy Andrews got his start right here.”

Tim, it’s been an honor to work with you, break bread with you, and watch you flourish.

You know I wish you the best of luck, but I’d by lying if I said I don’t hate to see you go.

Take care of yourself and wherever your brilliant career will take you, just know that you always have a home here.

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