Worried About a Job Offer? How a Missing Relieving Letter Might Impact You

I received a job offer from an MNC. I now have all the documents from my current organization, but I do not have a relieving letter from my former organization because I broke a one-sided bond there. Could this affect my new job offer if they verify through a third party? My concern is that my former employer may provide negative feedback about me. Please advise.

Normally, reference checks are or should be carried out before an offer is made. Look at your terms of offer—does it say something like "this offer depends upon satisfactory reference checks" or something similar? If it does, it may be better to inform the new HR at this stage itself. Breaking a bond usually incurs penalties. Did you pay the penalty or just skip it? All this will undoubtedly come up during a reference check, so if it is crucial to your offer or continued employment, it is better to have it resolved now.

Thanks! In the offer letter, it is clearly stated that they would verify all my credentials and documents through reference checks. However, the bond in my first company was one-sided in nature, and I resigned from that job due to employer mistreatment, not paying anything as the bond was one-sided. That's why I have all documents from my first employer, such as the appointment letter, ESI certificate, and salary certificate, except for the relieving letter. In my current organization, I have all the necessary documents and have been serving here for over 2 years. I am a little worried about my first employer. Should I tell my new employer about this at the time of joining or keep silent?

Okay, you did not complete the bond; that's okay. But did you serve the notice period? Do you have any proof of that?

I was in the probation period, and I have proof of resignation in my mail. I didn't serve the notice period because there was no clause of notice period mentioned in the appointment letter. As per the appointment letter, only after confirmation, I have to serve a three-month notice; otherwise, under two years, I was in a bond, and for leaving, they are asking for six months' salary. I left the job on an immediate basis as the behavior of my boss was not good. But I think the bond is illegal in India, and it will not affect my future.

It is always better to disclose all facts to your future employer without hiding anything so that the reference check does not fall on you.