Concerned About Missing Documents? Navigating Cognizant's Background Check Process

Hi, I have received an offer from Cognizant. I have a query regarding the background verification process. For my first job, I worked for a very small company as a trainee and later got a better position. I worked there for more than two years. I received a release letter from them clearly stating my joining date and release date. However, I did not receive any offer or appointment letter. Will that create any problems during the Cognizant background verification?

You mentioned that you did not receive the appointment letter from the small company you worked for. Did you join based on a verbal order? Do you have a copy of your joining report? Do you have any salary slips?

You also mentioned that you started as a trainee and later became permanent, acquiring a better position. How did this transition occur? Was there any official communication or letter provided to you, and do you have a copy of it? Ensure to retain the release letter as evidence along with any other relevant documents you possess.

If you haven't shared these details with Cognizant yet, please do so when you send your acceptance letter. In my opinion, there should not be any issues.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan

Thank you for your reply. Yes, everything was discussed verbally. I did not have salary slips from that company as the salary was paid through cheques. Fortunately, the company is still operational, which proves it's not a fake experience. Should I ask them to provide any documentation that could further validate my employment there? What kind of document should I request?

Thank you for your suggestions.

Regards,
Ashok

Congratulations on getting selected at Cognizant! Generally, companies require the following documents for the Background Check Process:

1. Last Appointment Letter / Salary Revision Letter / Appraisal or Promotion Letter (which indicates your current package).
2. Salary Slip (generally for the last three months).
3. Salary Account (Bank account) Statement (generally for the last three months).
4. Experience & Relieving Letter.
5. Resignation Acceptance (in a few cases).

Yes, I would suggest going to your previous employer and requesting them to provide the documents. If an employer is genuine, they will give you all the required documents.

In the other case (if your ex-employer does not provide you with the required documents), you may talk to Cognizant HR, explaining that you only have a Relieving Letter which indicates your joining and relieving date very clearly. You can also show your Bank account statement which shows regular deposits of salary cheques.

I hope this will resolve all your queries. Do write to us for more details.

You have received some excellent inputs from Mr. Maulik Dave, reinforcing the earlier observations posted by me. Now that you have all the details that you should seek from your past employer, this is the time to act in right earnest without any delay.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan

Request Your Last Employer to Supply You:

1. **Appointment Letter:** The Shops and Commercial Establishment Act of states (which would cover your last establishment too) lays down the requirement to issue an appointment letter.

2. **Salary Slips:** The Payment of Wages Act: 13A, Min. Wages Central Rules: 26(3,4) stipulates the provision to supply salary/wages slips at least a day before the disbursement of wages, which should be signed by both employer and employees.

3. **Form 16:** This form has to be issued by the employer (deductor), else they can face penalties through ITO-TDS where you file ITR or CIT-TDS where the employer files ITR. The employer also has to maintain and submit various forms as prescribed in the Shops and Commercial Establishment Rules.

4. **FnF Statement:** This should be issued to employees for verification and acceptance.

5. **Salary Certificate**

6. **An Acknowledged Copy of Resignation and Acceptance**

Ensure to request these documents promptly from your previous employer.

I have the above-mentioned documents from my last five previous employers except one: my first employer with whom I was involved around 8-10 years ago. My concern was about that only.

Thanks, everyone, for quickly responding to my issue at the time when I needed it most. I really appreciate your advice.

When you refer to "8 to 10 years," it is a reference to a time period in the past. Keep whatever details you have for reference. One thing for sure is that your Cognizant offer must pertain to recent experiences, possibly within the last five years when you would have held positions of higher responsibility.

Do not worry and remain relaxed. Good luck.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan

I am also in the middle of BGV with CTS. My question is how important it is to submit the Degree Certificate. I have my mark sheets, but the Certificate was not collected yet. Is this issue with the BGV team?

Hello, I got a job at Cognizant as well, but my third company is closed. During my tenure, I have an offer letter, payslip, release letter, PF number, and the last three months' bank statements. Will it create any issues during the verification process if my third company is not contactable?

Background Verification Concerns with CTS Offer

My previous company closed three years ago, and I have not been in touch with anyone from there since. For the past three years, I have been working in another company, and now I have received a very good offer from CTS. I have all the necessary documents such as bank statements, appointment and relieving letters, Form 16, and payslips.

I am concerned about the background verification process at CTS. I am unsure whether I should resign from my current company and accept the new offer. If I inform HR at my current company initially, I am unsure how they will react—positively or not. I am also worried about the possibility of my offer letter being canceled, as it was not my fault that my previous company closed.

Please reply as soon as possible. Based on your suggestions and comments, I will decide how to proceed further.

Regards,
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