It depends on the contents of letter proposed to be sent. If it is a letter in the nature of advising the employee concerned to report for duty, it can be signed by either Department Head concerned or HR. However, if HR signs the letter, information should be shared with Department Head concerned so that he/she is in knowledge of it.
If it involves "dispensing with services" based on "voluntary abandonment of service", there are two ways to do it:
1) it can be issued by Disciplinary Authority as notified under company's certified standing orders, or Discipline, Conduct & Appeal Rules or any other relevant rules as notified;
2) it can be issued by HR taking approval from Disciplinary Authority and wording the letter appropriately in that the letter should indicate it is being issued with the approval of Disciplinary Authority.
However, to avoid any avoidable situations either in Court of Law or otherwise, it is suggested that we need to opt for alternative(1) above.
DN Rao
If it involves "dispensing with services" based on "voluntary abandonment of service", there are two ways to do it:
1) it can be issued by Disciplinary Authority as notified under company's certified standing orders, or Discipline, Conduct & Appeal Rules or any other relevant rules as notified;
2) it can be issued by HR taking approval from Disciplinary Authority and wording the letter appropriately in that the letter should indicate it is being issued with the approval of Disciplinary Authority.
However, to avoid any avoidable situations either in Court of Law or otherwise, it is suggested that we need to opt for alternative(1) above.
DN Rao