How important is it to do this? I seem to get a lot of blanket "i'm leaving emails" from people but sometimes people leave and don't send anything. Is it always better to send a good bye email if its to a large distribution list and half the people won't know who you are or to do a more targeted email?

I would prefer just to silently disappear and then pick up contact again with people as/when appropriate... that way, you can shake off the dirt you want to leave behind ha ha

I think it's a bad idea. Let the ones/colleagues close to you know. Go and have a drinks do. But a blank e-mail is just plain silly. If want details why, let me know.In my case, ppl are bound to know that I am leaving (depends on where you are in the company). But I still won't send a blank e-mail, but instead, will talk to ppl individually and wish them well. More class and more 'personal' like this.

I agree but literally everyone does it though. Its like unless you send an email announcing you have secured a much better job so 'see ya suckers' it looks like you left for other reasons. Thoughts?

It's called leaving with a bit of dignity and respect. If other people want to read into that as "other reasons" that's fine.You're leaving to a (hopefully) better job. You're proud of yourself. You talk to those who matter. You swap numbers with those that you want to keep in touch with. You walk with your chin up. You enjoy your final days/countdown the hours.And most importantly you make people watch you with a degree of envy as you leave the builiding. NB all of this is without a pointless, "I've enjoyed my time here and made some really great friends, I'd like to thank *insert name of senior Partner here* for giving me such a fantastic opportunity"

My colleague sent this email when he left sometime ago:It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that today I will be leaving to move on to pastures new.In order to help you all get through the grieving process on what I’m sure will forever be known as ‘Black Tuesday’ I have purchased some commiseration cakes. They will be placed near my desk, next to the designated crying area.etc.. Yours sincerely,

Ha ha! That's an excellent leaving mail. Ironically, the sort of mail that makes you think you'd like the guy to stay.

I once saw a leaving email where the guy slated everyone he didn't like in the company and exposed a few home truths. It got quickly deleted from the email system but made for a darn good read.

Yet again I'm the one disagreeing here and giving the alternative view :-)You should always send a nice email when you're leaving somewhere. Not everyone gets to hear and it's not nice for people to just disappear. It's also a chance to let people know what you're doing next and provide contact details - gmail, linkedin whatever. By being relentlessly positive in the email 'look forward to keeping in touch' 'great people here' 'will miss working here a lot' etc you also leave a good feeling behind. very depressing places it must be where people just slink out the door without saying anything ...