Can My Friend Relax After F&F Settlement Without a Relieving Letter?

My friend resigned via email. The resignation was accepted, but he did not complete any exit formalities (handing over, no dues, etc.) as he was unwell. He had worked for only one month, and the probation period was for six months.

After six months of resignation, he received the Full and Final (F&F) settlement from the company—including a cover letter, calculations, and a cheque. Does this mean that there are no more issues for him with the company? The F&F is settled, but they have not issued a relieving letter. Since he is going to study, he also does not require it.

The company still seems to be trying to contact him. I don't know why. Please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Divya

Since the company has completed all the formalities without any hassle, it means there is no objection from their side. Trying to contact him even after he has resigned only means that maybe they valued him as an asset or perhaps there was some pending formality. He can respond and check with them regarding the matter.

Your friend can feel free to proceed with his higher studies without any worries.

Best regards,
Nisha

Divya, as such, I don't see any problem. However, it is better if he gets everything done in a formal manner. Morning shows the day, so it is advisable for him to follow the rules even if he has only worked for one month, as he is likely to face similar circumstances again one day.

The majority of companies would not consider or would avoid any further interactions to communicate in such cases, as in yours. However, it is better if he or she complies with the policies that the concerned department is still trying to communicate to your friend.

Thanks

As the FN (Financial) F (Forensic) was completed and the due was paid by the company, there is no reason he should be worried. His tenure is very short, but there is nothing to worry about. Let him understand the purpose of the call and act appropriately.

Regards,

Thank you for your responses. I still have a nagging doubt. Will they want him to still do the handover and all that (since they have not sent the relieving letter)? Is settling F&F really the final thing from a company?

Thanks,
Divya

A relieving letter will be issued to employees who have completed all the formalities and have properly handed over their responsibilities. If your friend is not interested in obtaining one, then why are you concerned about that? 

Regards,
Bharghavi

The company is still trying to contact him; is it because they want him to complete exit formalities, i.e., no dues, etc., after settling F&F? That is the doubt.

Just try to contact them to clarify what they want. If you are not interested in obtaining the relieving letter, you can discuss with them to understand their requirements. There is nothing to worry about even if they mention completing the exit formalities. Whether you choose to do it or not will be secondary. 

Regards,
Bharghavi

Exit Formalities After Full and Final Settlement

So, it is possible that companies can still pursue someone to complete exit formalities even after settling Full and Final (F&F). I thought F&F was the real final thing.

Thanks,
Bhargavi

As of now, everything will be just an assumption. Since it was only for a month that your friend worked there, this won't have any impact on his future, and his full and final is already done. So, technically, he is relieved from his job.

As far as the calls are concerned, he is the only one who can find out what it is all about. As Bhargavi said, there is no need to bother this much. So, if he wants to call back and find out, he can, or else just let it go and enjoy the bright future.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Nisha

Importance of a Relieving Letter

A relieving letter should be obtained if your friend has left the organization. Generally, this is required by many organizations if they are moving to a new job or transitioning to a different role. Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Regards

Like all the members pointed out, since the F&F has been done, there shouldn't be any cause for worry. But what indicates some sort of 'worry/concern' on your friend's part is the hesitation to contact them to find out the reason(s) for the subsequent calls—what's wrong IF it is for completing the handing-over formalities? Why is he 'avoiding'—if I may use the word, to return the call? Like some of the members suggested, it always pays to return calls and find out the reasons. As the saying goes: 'One needs to step into the pond if you want to know the depth'.

Regards,
TS

Full and Final Settlement of Dues

Full and final settlement of dues is made only after the completion of the contract. In this case, it means that they have accepted his resignation, so he has nothing to worry about. However, exit formalities like handing over, no dues certificate, etc., are in the employee's own interest as well. Moreover, leaving a company as per its rules also helps the employee maintain a cordial relationship with the ex-employer.

Yeah TS, you hit it right. He worked in a much superior position earlier but joined the company out of love for the field the company was in. Instead of giving him the position appropriate to his experience and studies, they gave him a very junior position. He still took it in stride and went to work. But his colleagues started acting bossy and bullied him all the time. They were there for a while and felt insecure with his capabilities. He couldn't complain to anybody as he had just joined. There was chaos about the reporting structure too. He didn't get to learn what he expected. Moreover, their levels were far too inferior. It is better to leave early than get stuck. So he just left. They were only too happy to see him leave. So, for his part, he does not want to go there and do the humiliating act of getting their signatures on no dues and handover. Moreover, it was only a month plus and there was really nothing to hand over. Maybe a used pencil, that's it. I am urging him to move on but he still feels bad about the whole thing.

I believe you are familiar with ISO audits, where they require comprehensive details of employees who have joined and left, along with all the necessary documentation. A single oversight can lead to issues during the review process. I suggest having your friend communicate with them directly.

Human Resource Management and Full and Final Statement

In Human Resource Management, providing a simple Full and Final statement is a fundamental requirement that the company must adhere to. Could you also confirm if your friend had signed any contracts? If so, please provide us with the details as employees are usually given a copy of any signed contracts.

I hope we can find a straightforward solution to your friend's concerns.

Regards

Given what you mentioned, I still don't see why he should avoid calling back if not meeting them. Also, given his seniority, he ought to have learned in life by now that he can always retain his stand, opinion, viewpoint, and yet interact with others who gave him a raw deal. For all you know, maybe this company has now realized that they lost a good employee and want to request him to rejoin? It could be a reaffirmation of his own set of skills and capabilities at the emotional level for him—his response need not be dictated by their actions or words though. Hope you get the point.

Regards,
TS

The management seems to be very positive. If they had the opinion that he had to complete the exit formalities, they would have insisted on the same. After the completion of the formalities, only then would they have settled the full and final settlement. Since they have already done that, they may not be insisting on the same anymore.

As a goodwill gesture, the onus is on your friend to personally meet the person who completed the settlement, thank him personally, and continue the good relations with the management who have offered the employment and have been kind enough to send the amount payable to the home address. There are managements that will create hassles without settling the account even after the completion of exit formalities; your friend is lucky in this regard. There should be a positive response from his/her side as well.

Regards,
Bobji