Returning to work after an absence can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You may be eager to get back into the swing of things, but also feeling a bit out of place.
If your manager or individual members of your team send you a warm welcome back message, acknowledge the thoughtful welcome you receive from your colleagues and friends with a kind response of your own.
Read on for some tips and plenty of examples for expressing gratitude for a warm welcome back.
Why it’s important to thank colleagues and friends for a warm welcome back
First and foremost, it’s just good manners to express appreciation when someone shows you kindness. But beyond that, thanking your colleagues and friends for their warm welcome back can help you establish a positive relationship with them.
- Thanking them shows that you are grateful for their support and are eager to work with them again.
- It’s a great way to boost morale and create a positive atmosphere in the workplace.
How to reply to a group “welcome back” message at work
When you receive a group “welcome back” message at work, respond in a way that shows your appreciation and gratitude for your colleagues’ thoughtfulness:
- Thank you all for the warm welcome! It feels great to be back and surrounded by such an amazing team.
- Aww, you guys are making me blush! Thank you so much for the welcome back, it really means a lot to me.
- I feel like a celebrity with all this attention! Thank you to my wonderful coworkers for the warm welcome back to the office.
- You all are the best! Thank you for making my return to work so special and memorable.
- I can’t express how much your kind words and warm welcome means to me. Thank you all so much for making my return to work such a positive experience.
Here are some fun and lighthearted responses to a group “welcome back” message at work:
- “Thanks for the warm welcome back! I promise to bring enough snacks to make up for my absence.”
- “Feels good to be back! Did anyone miss me or just the free donuts I used to bring?”
- “Wow, I didn’t know my absence would cause such a ruckus. Just kidding, thanks for the warm welcome!”
- “Thanks for the welcome back, folks! I’m looking forward to seeing all the cool things you accomplished while I was gone.”
- “Thanks for the love, everyone! I missed you all like I miss my morning coffee on weekends.”
- “Thanks for making me feel like a celebrity on my return! I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.”
- “Welcome back to me? More like welcome back to you guys, now that I’m here to bring some excitement!”
- “Thank you for the warm welcome, team! I’m back and better than ever, ready to cause some mayhem.”
- “Thanks for the sweet messages, colleagues! Now let’s get back to work before I forget how to adult.”
- “It’s good to be back with my second family! Thank you all for the warm welcome and the endless supply of office gossip.”
Funny and creative ideas for thanking colleagues and friends
If you’re looking for a more lighthearted way to express your gratitude, consider some of these funny and creative ideas:
- Bring in donuts or another treat for the office as a way of saying thank you.
- Write a silly poem or rap about how much you appreciate your colleagues and perform it for them.
- Make a humorous video or slideshow thanking your colleagues for their support during your absence.
- Create a “Welcome Back” scavenger hunt with clues and prizes hidden throughout the office.
- Put together a humorous “survival kit” for your colleagues, complete with things like coffee, snacks, and a stress ball.
Sincere and heartfelt messages to express gratitude for a warm welcome back
If you prefer to take a more heartfelt approach, consider some of these sincere and genuine messages:
- Thank you all so much for the warm welcome back. Your kindness and support mean the world to me.
- I’m so grateful to have such wonderful colleagues and friends who make coming back to work such a joy.
- Your encouragement and positivity have made my return to work so much easier. Thank you for being such amazing colleagues and friends.
- I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and welcoming team. Thank you all for your warm welcome back.
- Your warm welcome back has reminded me why I love working with such amazing people. Thank you all for being here for me.
Expected & Funny Responses To a “Welcome Back” at Work
Here are some sample responses for various situations where someone says “welcome back” to you:
How to reply if someone says “welcome back to work”:
- Thank you, it’s good to be back.
- Thanks, I missed everyone here.
- Thanks for the warm welcome, it feels great to be back.
Funny replies if someone says “welcome back to work”:
- Thank you! I missed this place almost as much as I missed my morning coffee.
- Thanks, it’s good to be back in the land of the employed.
- Wow, did anyone even notice I was gone? Just kidding, thanks for the warm welcome!
How to respond to “welcome to a new job”:
- Thank you, I’m excited to be here!
- Thanks, I’m looking forward to learning and contributing.
- Thank you, it’s great to be a part of this team.
Funny responses to “welcome to a new job”:
- Thanks! I’m excited to start this new adventure and see how long it takes for me to mess everything up.
- Thank you! I’m looking forward to showing you all my amazing coffee-making skills.
- Thank you! I’m ready to tackle this new job with the same level of enthusiasm I have for binge-watching Netflix.
How to reply to a welcome message in an office:
- Thank you, I really appreciate the warm welcome.
- Thanks, I’m excited to start working with all of you.
- Thank you, it feels great to be a part of this office.
Humorous ways to reply to a welcome message in an office:
- Thanks for the welcome message! I’m starting to think this job was a good decision after all.
- Thank you for the welcome! I promise not to leave any dirty dishes in the sink (at least not every day).
- Thank you! I’m hoping my first day goes better than my last Tinder date.
General replies to “welcome”:
- Thank you!
- Thanks, it’s great to be here.
- I appreciate the warm welcome, thank you.
Inject some personality in your responses to a welcome:
- Thanks for the welcome! I’m not sure if you’re being polite or just surprised to see me here.
- Thank you! Now let’s get to work before they realize they hired the wrong person.
- Thanks for the welcome! Can someone please show me where the coffee machine is? It’s kind of an emergency.
Obviously, remember to ‘read the room’ and save the funny responses for closer work colleagues and not for mass group responses when a more professional response is appropriate. Or maybe you’ll be offered a new job opportunity and your coworkers will wish you good luck at your new job interview.
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Response examples to ‘welcome aboard’ messages
