Feeling Cheated Over Gratuity Eligibility: Should I Consider Legal Action?

I joined a company on 10th November 2006 and resigned in June 2012. I completed 5 years in this company, but when I claimed my gratuity amount, HR informed me that according to their records, my joining date was 1st July 2007. Therefore, they stated that I am not eligible for gratuity. I have an offer letter stating my joining date as 10th November 2006, but HR mentioned that they cannot alter their records. I feel cheated now. Kindly advise on what steps I should take. Should I consider legal action?

Thank you.

Steps to Resolve Gratuity Discrepancy

First, you will need to show your payslip and appointment letter to the HR manager.

Second Step: Application Submission

Simply submit your application using Form-I (copy attached) via registered post. If there is no response within 30 days, proceed to the DLC office to file a complaint along with the rejection letter.

If you encounter any issues, please call me. It is easy to resolve the problem.

Regards,

Offer Letter and Proof of Joining are two different things. Like Abhijit Barua suggested, use 'payslip' and/or 'Appointment Letter'—the latter is usually given after joining. If you don't have the practice of 'payslips', your Bank Statement (to prove that salary was being deposited into your Bank Account) should suffice.

While using such documents in interviews is understandable, it's quite surprising that one has to go through this ordeal with a company where one worked.

All the best.

Regards,
TS