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Home/Templates/Offboarding & separations/Reference letter for a departing employee
Email template

Reference letter for a departing employee

A positive, factual reference letter covering tenure, role, responsibilities, strengths, and a contact for verification. Use it to support a departing team member's next step.

  • Made forEmployers
  • Reading time~1 min
  • What's includedA complete, personalizable message you can copy or send from Diiirect.
Sign up to customize & send

The template

Subject: Reference for {{Employee name}}

To whom it may concern,

I am glad to provide this reference for {{Employee name}}, who worked at {{Company name}} as {{Role title}} from {{Start date}} to {{End date}}.

In that role, {{Employee first name}} was responsible for {{Main responsibilities}}. {{One concrete achievement or contribution, with numbers where possible.}}

Three strengths stood out consistently: {{Strength one}}, {{Strength two}}, and {{Strength three}}. Colleagues particularly valued {{a short note on how they worked with others}}.

{{Employee first name}} leaves {{Company name}} in good standing, and I would gladly work together again. I recommend {{Employee first name}} without reservation for {{the kind of role they are pursuing}}.

If you would like to verify any of this information or discuss it further, you can reach me at {{Your email or phone}}.

Sincerely, {{Your name}} {{Your title}}, {{Company name}}

Not legal advice

This template is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws differ by jurisdiction and change over time — have a qualified professional review any document before you rely on it.

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