WHAT TO SAY · TEAM CHANGES
How to tell your team a colleague is leaving
Agree the wording with the person who is leaving first. Keep it positive, factual and focused on what happens next for the team.
Before you start
- Ask the leaver how and when they want it announced.
- Have the handover plan ready.
The script
- OPEN WITH
I have some news to share: [Name] will be leaving us on [date].
[Name] is moving on to [new role, if they want it shared]. We will miss [specific contribution].
Until [date], [Name] will hand over [work] to [people].
If you have questions about how this affects your work, come and talk to me.
Replace the [brackets] with real details. Say it in your own words; the structure matters more than the exact wording.
If they say…
“Is anyone else leaving?”
Not that I know of. If you are worried about anything, talk to me.
What to avoid
- Sharing private reasons for leaving.
- Speaking badly of the leaver or the new employer.