Understanding Resignation Acceptance vs. Relieving Letters: Why Do Employers Ask for Both?

Difference Between a Resignation Acceptance Letter and a Relieving Letter

Is there any difference between a Resignation Acceptance letter and a Relieving letter? While joining a company (BPO), I was asked for a Relieving letter from my first company, even though I had already provided a Resignation Acceptance letter which mentioned my last date of working and the fact that I had been relieved from the company. I want to note that I have also provided them with the relieving letter from my last company, where I worked previously (which I believe is more significant). Kindly advise on this matter.

Difference Between Resignation Acceptance Letter and Relieving Letter

Generally, these are two different letters. Not many issue an acceptance letter who would straight away issue a relieving letter after the notice period is satisfactorily completed. In any case, a combined letter stating "accepted and relieved" with a date should suffice for the purpose of severance of past service. However, mere mentioning of 'last date of working' will be short of 'relieving'. Once an employee is stated as "relieved of his/her duties on...date," it is the requirement (even if it is silent regarding resignation accepted or not, as the relieving from the company is the final word).

It is also in vogue when an employee resigns and is accepted by the employer, a formal letter is issued stating 'your resignation is accepted and you have to serve the notice period from...to... On completion of the notice period, you may be relieved... like that. In this case, since there is no mention to the effect that "he/she actually relieved"... which is wanting.

Resignation Acceptance vs. Relieving

Resignation acceptance and relieving are mutually exclusive. I second Mr. Kumar above; an organization may accept a resignation letter, but it does not mean that you have been relieved. Any person serving a notice period has the opportunity, during this period, for both the individual and the organization to change their minds about continuing in the organization. Therefore, the new organization needs a relieving process, not just resignation acceptance, as this would be a legal obligation for the new company. Relieving entails total severance from the old company, with no more contacts in any manner with that company.

Thanks for the reply. In this scenario, the point is that although it is mentioned as a resignation acceptance letter, it was provided to me only after I was relieved from the company. I submitted my resignation on 8th December 2014 but received the letter only after being relieved on 16th January 2015. Doesn't it serve the purpose of a relieving letter? If it had been purely a resignation acceptance letter, it would have been given to me before my relieving date without mentioning the date of relieving. In any case, is there any substitute for this?

Good luck, friend.

It all depends. The importance of a relieving letter gains weightage when the new employer insists on such a thing and when it becomes crucial. Instead, when you don't have one, an Experience Letter mentioning the last date of working can do the talking.

Hi,

There is a high probability of disputes arising between the employer and an employee during the notice period, so many companies insist on relieving letters. Some HR professionals are highly concerned about requesting a relieving letter and a no dues certificate from a new employee as part of their due diligence process.

Best wishes, Rajesh

The Importance of a Relieving Letter

I wish to endorse the views of Sri Ramadurai on this issue. It is true that after the acceptance of resignation and before relieving the resigned employee, a lot of hide-and-seek games happen. At the last moment of relieving, the in-charge or HR Manager raises issues that are detrimental to the interest and smooth relieving of the outgoing employee. Hence, the relieving letter holds significance in the present scenario. Please convince your earlier employer to issue a relieving letter, which is a legitimate right of the outgoing employee.

Seeking Guidance on Resignation Without Notice

Simultaneously, I wish to seek opinions and guidance from dear members. When resignation has been tendered without insisting on its immediate acceptance and without specifying the notice period treatment in the resignation, and the resignation is accepted after 9 months, the employee is suddenly relieved one fine day citing the acceptance of resignation.

Later on, taking the pretext of resignation without notice, all terminal benefits have been curtailed as per the provision of resignation without notice. Neither PF (Employee) contribution nor pension is being released. Please guide and send your feedback to [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Thank you and oblige.

Gpagarwal, Lucknow