Navigating Job Changes: How Important Is a Relieving Letter from a Past Employer?

Hello Everyone, To cut straight to the dilemma I'm facing (actually, something that's always been at the back of my mind for the last two years) - I worked for company A for about two years where the notice period policy was 3 months. I got a good offer from company B and submitted my resignation at Co. A. Needless to mention, company B wanted me badly enough (and soon enough) so they asked me to join soon or forget the offer. As it happened, I served about 1 month of notice at Co. A and joined Co. B (All this while, I kept informing - by several emails - my managers/HR at Co. A about my inability to continue further and requesting early release). Meanwhile, Co. B said, "It's okay, we don't need your release letter, show us your resignation email and related communication and join us." After about a month of joining Co. B, Co. A sent me reminders to report back to work. I was, of course, by virtue of having joined Co. B, not in a position to report back. Co. B then issued me a termination of services letter. It has been two years since I joined Co. B and all is fine. However, my concerns to respected members of the community are these -

Relevance of Relieving Letter from Co. A

1. In case of a job change now, how relevant is the relieving letter from Co. A, assuming I have all relieving documents from my present employer, i.e., Co. B?

Document Requirements from Employers

2. Do companies ask for documents from all historical employers or just the last/recent employer?

Future Options

3. What are my options to handle this for the future?

Thanks for your patience and time in answering.

Regards, indilemma

Understanding the Importance of Relieving Certificates

My understanding of the situation is like this: You joined Company B without producing any relieving/service certificate from Company A. Now, when you think of joining another company, say Company C, would you require the certificates from Company A, or will it be sufficient with the relieving/service certificate issued by Company B only?

This depends on the attitude of HR in Company C and the urgency of employing your resource in Company C. Certainly, a relieving order from previous companies will not be required. Only the relieving order from the last company (Company B) is required at Company C. But what is there to prove your experience, the roles, and responsibilities you were given with Company A? In the absence of a service certificate, you cannot claim that period as your experience.

Yes, if Company C is convinced of your capabilities and efficiency, and they are in need of your service, then they will definitely allow you to join without any certificates to prove your experience. On the other hand, if it is a general hiring, they will follow the criteria for hiring. In that case, you will have to produce certificates from each company. If you skip any one of the certificates, the total experience will be reduced proportionately to the period for which no supporting document is available. Naturally, the pay will be fixed considering the experience supported by the certificates only.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Thank you for your insightful words, Mr. T.K. I appreciate it. I was issued a "Termination of Service" notice for the sole reason of inability to complete the 3-month notice period. Needless to mention, I offered to pay in lieu of the remainder of the notice period, which was, however, rejected by the company.

Questions:

1. Is it advisable to shave off this period of experience from the resume (2 years of experience)?

2. What is the tolerance for a "Termination letter" in the Indian business community in case the experience is retained in the resume?

Thank you.

Regards,
indilemma

Importance of Including All Work Experience in Your Resume

Two years is, in fact, a meaningful experience, and omitting it from the resume could result in many consequences in the future. You have to show what you were doing during that time. You cannot say you did nothing because that would again reflect negatively on you. Therefore, I would suggest that you include that experience in your CV.

If the new employer asks for an experience certificate, you can simply tell the truth – that it was not acquired due to the circumstances of leaving company B before the completion of the three-month notice period, but you did finish the handover in one month and were relieved. Naturally, if you join a new company after serving the present one for a considerable period, let's say at least 3 years, the unavailability of a previous company's certificate should not pose a problem. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, it all depends on how urgently the new company needs to hire you.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Here I'm facing a situation right now. I intend to tender my resignation by stating that I am going for higher studies, but the reality is that I have received an offer from Company B (which is my dream company). Company A requires a 3-month notice period, and I have already served for one month. However, HR is not accepting the amount to be paid by me in lieu of the notice period.

Advice Needed on Joining Without a Relieving Letter

Please advise me. The HR of the new company, Company B, has informed me that they are willing to accept my joining without a relieving letter from my current employer, Company A. He also mentioned that he is prepared to send me a confirmation email stating that no relieving letter from Company A is necessary. Would it be the right decision to join Company B without the relieving letter from Company A?

I would appreciate a quick response as this is urgent.

I hope the above discussions would lead you to make a decision. If the new company from where you have received an offer is truly your dream company and is willing to let you join even without a relieving and service certificate from your current company, why are you considering the certificate from the current company? It will only matter when you leave Company B and join another company, which should not happen since this is your dream company. Therefore, if you are very confident that the company you are about to join is where you want to work, go ahead, accept the offer, and work there until your retirement.

A company can be a dream company for a candidate, but the candidate may not be a dream 'employee' for the company!!

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Dear Madhu.T.K Sir,

After reading your private message, i.e., "A company can be a dream company for a candidate, but the candidate may not be a dream 'employee' for the company!!" one point struck in my mind: if I go to Company C after 3 years from Company A, will Company C's HR ask for a relieving letter from Company A, or is the relieving letter from Company B enough, or do I need both from Company A and B?

If Company C's HR also insists on a relieving letter from Company A, what options do I have to convince them? I will, of course, disclose the fact that even though I sincerely worked the one-month notice period in Company A, they did not pay my salary when I requested it. The HR mentioned that everything would be settled after 3 months (when I have financial commitments). I also reiterated that I am willing to buy out my notice period, but they did not agree.

Please reply at your earliest convenience as I need to make a quick decision.

Regards,
Prakash

Issue with Relieving Letter

I have an issue regarding the relieving letter. In my last organization, there was a six-month probation period (including a one-month notice period). I worked for seven months in the organization but did not receive a confirmation or termination letter. Eventually, I sent a resignation email and served a one-month (33 days) notice period. However, the organization insisted that I serve a two-month notice period or complete the work. They warned me that failure to serve the two-month notice period could lead to termination or other actions.

In the end, I served a one-month notice period, completed my work, and joined a new organization. Now, I am seeking a relieving letter from my previous organization. How can I obtain it? I have all the email evidence related to conversations with the Manager, HR, and organization head.

Please assist.

Thanks & Regards,
Chander