Need Help Crafting a Heartfelt Farewell Speech for a Colleague Retiring After 33 Years?

One of my colleagues is retiring very soon after 33 years of service. We have planned to organize a function to facilitate him. I may have to give a farewell speech in his honor. As I am not very familiar with such speeches, can any of my friends help me by attaching a file containing the speech and also providing some ideas in reply to this email?

I would be grateful for your help. This is very urgent.

Regards,
Krishna

In any farewell speech, the focus must be on the employee who is leaving. Ideally, you should begin with a short introduction explaining why the function is organized and then provide a brief update about the person. For example, start with when the person joined, their job profile, their contributions, and possibly touch upon their education and family background.

Next, express your appreciation for their contributions as an employee and colleague. Mention some personal qualities of the person that were much appreciated by all. Highlight a few facets of the person that were unknown to others, such as if the person is a good painter or has a passion for social work, etc.

Conclude with warm appreciation for the contributions the person has made, their influence on the functional area in particular, and the company in general. Explain why the company and the colleagues will miss the person.

Wish the person all success and invite the senior-most person or a very close associate to offer a token of appreciation and love from all.

You can tweak the above to meet your specific requirements.

Best Wishes

But don't forget to invite the departing person to speak and share their experiences, ideas, and any messages they may want to convey about the organization to other employees. Ensure there is a single line break between paragraphs.

Dear Krishna, Farewell speeches are tailored to meet an individual’s profile. Build up your speech on the following points:

Start with Education

Experience Gained Before Joining the Organization

Specific Contributions to the Company

Different Posts Held Along with Responsibilities

Obvious and Hidden Talents

Association with Club, Social Forum, Sports, etc.

As a Family Man

His Concern for His Colleagues

You can also search in Cite HR archives.

Regards,
V.Raghunathan

There are a few suggestions:

1. It may be appropriate to invite his wife, and if possible, other family members such as sons and daughters, to be on the stage together with the retiring employee.

2. If so, say a few pleasant things about the wife and other family members, express your well wishes, good health, and present them with a bunch of flowers or a shawl (considering Bangalore, a Mysore turban). If the wife is willing and able, she can also be asked to say a few words.

3. The actual words of a farewell speech would depend on the nature of his duties and contributions. If you are eloquent in giving speeches, you would know how to make the function memorable.

4. You can also consider remembering a particular event or occasion in which the retiring person impressed everyone, which would be fitting for the occasion.

5. I hope you are preparing to present him with a memento or a gift. If so, you can add a few words signifying why you chose such a gift as the most appropriate for him.

6. Also, express your sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to him during his service.

7. It would be appropriate to present a cheque for his full and final settlement/gratuity, a service certificate, and a special Appreciation Letter on the occasion itself. If he is eligible for a pension or a parting gift from the management, you may present its orders/gift cheque.

8. It is also fitting for a few of you to accompany or drop him/them in your office car at his house and depart after sharing tea at his house.

9. Add a few words to convey that he shouldn't feel he is 'out of office' from the very next day but is always welcome to visit as much as possible.

10. You might as well host a high tea (if in the evening) or a lunch or dinner followed by a group photo. A framed copy of the photo, signed by your CEO, could be sent to his house.

I also join you in wishing him all the very best.