Stuck Without an Experience Letter: How Can I Prove My Previous Employment Quickly?

Hi, I have been working in my organization for more than 5.5 years. After resigning, when I asked them to provide me with my experience letter, they refused by stating they don't issue any documents upon relieving. I am willing to pay my 30-day notice by forfeiting my 30 days' salary, but they are still unwilling to provide the letter. I have my EPF, gratuity, and 18 days' salary with them. However, to join my new organization, I require my experience certificate and relieving letter.

I am unsure of what steps to take next. How can I convince my new employer that I worked at my previous company from a specific start to end date? My joining date is approaching rapidly. I possess a copy of my last paycheck and my resignation letter. What additional documents can I provide to confirm my employment at my last company? Can I request my current manager to issue me an experience certificate?

Please assist me as my situation is becoming urgent. Thank you.

Your former employer should provide the experience and relieving letter. However, some companies do accept the "Resignation Acceptance Letter." Please check with your new employer if this is okay with them or not. All the best for your new role.

Regards,
Balan

Dear Prachi,

I can understand your anxiety. However, it is a fact that many companies do not provide any relieving or experience letter. At least your company is candid enough to admit it "they don't provide any relieving letter".

As rightly pointed out, some companies do accept the "Resignation Acceptance Letter" copy. You can ask your manager/HOD/reporting officer to give you an experience certificate or a good reference. Good companies do not act in a bureaucratic manner and should not insist on a relieving/experience letter if you are able to explain it convincingly. If at all necessary, then under the circumstances, any other documents like salary slips, promotion/appreciation letter, etc., should serve the purpose of authenticating the fact.

Hope the company you intend to join does not believe in such pieces of worthless paper and relies more on its ability & expertise to assess candidates.

Warm regards.

Thank you, sir, for your reply. Now my joining date has been postponed. On the basis of the reference check, they would update the same.

If I ask my manager to give me my experience letter, would it serve the purpose? But then what would be my last day of employment for my manager as I resigned on the 11th of this month but worked until the 18th of October? My manager is also listed in my reference details.

But if a relieving letter or experience certificate is mandatory for a candidate's joining, then why don't companies confirm the same in their recruitment procedure or before sending the offer letter? It would be my second job, that's why I am keen to know these procedures.