Is My Employer Legally Required to Provide an Experience Certificate? What Are My Options?

I am working in a software company since 2001. To apply in certain Govt. organizations, an experience certificate is required. I requested my employer to provide me with an experience certificate, but he refused in a written email stating, "We do not follow such practice in our company." Are they not legally bound to issue me an experience certificate? Should I request a Service letter or Employment certificate instead? What should I do now?

Mr. Lokesh,

According to my knowledge, none of the employers will give you an experience certificate while you are continuing your job with them. However, you can request an employment certificate stating that you have been working with them since a certain date.

Sincerely,
Vandana Sharma

I asked them for an Employment Certificate, and they again said that they cannot issue one. Please, what can I do now? Which law or act forces them to do so?

It's your right. Give them the simple format where they feel comfortable and request; it will be done. Otherwise, you can use your offer letter and your relieving letter in your new company. These two will surely help you and will showcase your work experience.

While working in the organization, no employer will issue the Experience Certificate. It will be issued at the time of leaving the organization on resignation or so. When applying for outside employment, you have to request the issuance of a "No Objection Certificate" and attach it to your resume before sending it. This will serve the purpose.

Best wishes,
Eswararao Ivaturi.