Feeling Stuck in a Job Without Proof: Should I Stay or Move On? Seeking Career Advice

Dear All, I need your advice on my career. I have 5 years of experience in HR, and 2 years ago, I had a break in my career. After that break, I got a job in an educational institution, which was part-time (3 days of work per week). They sent me a soft copy of a letter, stating it as my offer letter. After working with them for one year, they informed me that I would be given a full-time job. They increased my salary, but I have not received any offer letter for the full-time position even after a year. I have been working with them for almost 2 years without an offer letter or any salary slips, though I receive my salary. Lately, I have been feeling uncertain about job security here, and I fear they might terminate my employment anytime. I possess the organization's ID card and Form 16 for the past 2 years. As I lack physical proof of work, how should I proceed?

Questions to Consider

1) Should I resign?

2) Will leaving have any repercussions on my future employability? Will other employers consider hiring me?

3) Are the ID card and Form 16 sufficient to apply to other organizations?

4) Can I count this experience, or should I consider it as a break in my career?

Regards, Ramya

Employment Verification and Career Decisions

A soft copy of the offer letter, bank statement, and Form 16 is enough to prove that you are employed there. Therefore, they cannot terminate you without giving proper notice.

You can proudly showcase this experience. Don't hide your professional background, even if you worked from home.

If you are content with the income earned from working three days a week and can balance time with your family and friends, you may not need to resign from this position. You can negotiate for a raise or any other benefits you desire from your current employer. If they decline, then you can consider moving on.

The new company you are considering may not offer the same perks you currently enjoy. They might require you to work until tasks are completed, potentially leading to extended shifts. You may also need to adapt to new colleagues, team leaders, managers, etc. If you are comfortable with taking risks, you can explore new job opportunities and transition from your current role.

Best of luck.

The break in your career might have prompted both your present employer to offer the job on a part-time basis and you to accept it. Since your performance was satisfactory, they subsequently made you a full-time employee. Although they increased your salary to match full-time employment, they have not issued any formal offer letter for reasons known only to them. It has become commonplace for 90% of private educational institutions to follow such unethical practices in employment matters. Consequently, a sense of job insecurity might have started occupying your mind, leading to the questions at the end of your post, if I am not mistaken.

Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. If you want to quit, you can do so, but ensure you secure a good offer from a reputable employer first.

I am not entirely sure what you mean by the second query. If it pertains to your initial part-time engagement and subsequent de facto regular employment without a specific appointment order, you have ample evidence in the form of the documents you mentioned in the third query. If you present the facts honestly and do not attempt to manipulate them to prove continuous experience, no prudent employer would reject your candidature on this basis if you are otherwise employable.

The foregoing answers will also apply to your last two queries.

If you receive a better offer elsewhere, your present employer may try to retain you with offers of added benefits or threats. In any case, try to ensure that your exit is smooth and peaceful.

Regards,
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