Redundancy Card Messages — What to Write When a Colleague Is Made Redundant (UK)

The redundancy card: the hardest leaving card to write

A redundancy is not like a voluntary leaving. There is no congratulations for finding a better role, no excitement about a new chapter they chose. The person leaving often feels a complicated mix of shock, relief, humiliation or anger — sometimes all at once. The card needs to acknowledge that without making it worse. Here is how to get it right.

What redundancy card messages need to do

• Acknowledge the unfairness without overdoing it — "this is rubbish news" is appropriate; a long meditation on how wrong it is makes the card about the writer's feelings rather than the recipient's.
• Affirm their value independently of the decision — the redundancy was about a role, not about their quality as a person or professional. Say that clearly.
• Keep forward-looking without toxic positivity — "everything happens for a reason" is never helpful. "What comes next will be worth watching" is different.
• Keep it warm and personal — don't be so careful that the message says nothing.

Redundancy card messages for a colleague

• This isn't the leaving any of us would have planned, and that's genuinely unfair. What I do know is that whatever happens next, any organisation that gets you will be genuinely lucky. Please keep in touch.
• The role may have ended but your contribution here hasn't — and neither has the impression you've made on everyone who worked with you. Wishing you every success in what comes next.
• I'm sorry this is how it's ended. It shouldn't have been this way, and I hope you know how much your work here has been valued — by us, even if not reflected in this decision. Please do stay in touch.
• This is rough news, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. What I will say is that the next place you walk into will be getting someone excellent. I'm certain of that. Wishing you well.

Shorter messages (for when you don't know them well)

• I'm so sorry about the circumstances. Wishing you the very best for what comes next — and please do keep in touch.
• This wasn't the outcome any of us wanted. Wishing you every success in your next chapter.
• Very sorry to see you go in these circumstances. Wishing you all the best.

From a manager to someone being made redundant

• I want to be clear that this decision reflects the business's position, not your quality or contribution. You've been a valued member of this team and I intend to say so plainly to anyone who asks for a reference. I'm sorry it has come to this. Please let me know if I can help with anything as you look ahead.

What to avoid

• "Everything happens for a reason" — don't.
• "It's probably for the best" — unless they've said this themselves, you cannot know that.
• Excessive focus on how sad the team will be — it's their card, not the team's.
• Mentioning the redundancy process or business reasons — this isn't the place.

A card from the whole team

A group card for someone made redundant — signed by every colleague who values them — says clearly that the decision was about the role, not the person. An online group leaving card from Thankeeu lets everyone contribute a personal message, with an optional collection for a leaving gift in GBP. Create one here.