Navigating Job Contracts: What to Do When Your Company Won't Provide an Appointment Letter

I am working in a company, and I have completed my 6 months. I have the offer letter with me, and now I am asking for the appointment letter. They said they cannot provide the same. In the offer letter, it is mentioned that you can leave the company, but you have to serve a 3-month notice period. Otherwise, you have to pay the company. What can be done in this case?

Offer Letter vs. Appointment Letter

Is it that the organization has only an offer letter and there is no practice of issuing an appointment letter with detailed terms? Some organizations have this practice, while others issue it after around six months or later when they are satisfied with the candidate. Whatever the case may be, both you and the organization are bound by the offer letter. If it provides for a three-month notice period, then it is applicable to both you and the organization, even though it may appear excessive. If you want to quit, you will have to give this notice period. It can only be reduced by appealing to the good sense of the higher officials or trying to buy out the remaining period of the notice period which you are unable to serve.

You joined the company by accepting their offer, so the terms and conditions laid down in the offer letter are binding. To have a peaceful exit, it is better to serve the notice period or buy it out. It is always good to post the contents of the offer letter or a copy as an attachment for the reference of the learned members to guide you in the most significant manner based on the contents.

An appointment letter contains details regarding the terms and conditions of employment, including the "Separation Clause." If the separation clause is mentioned in your offer, then you must abide by it.

For further clarity, please feel free to reach us at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Thank you.

It is generally a well-established practice to issue an appointment letter on the day of joining an organization. In your case, it is not known why it was not done and what prompted you to join without receiving it. Additionally, what led you to wait for six months before inquiring about it.

Now that you have been working for six months based on the offer letter, your options are limited. It would be advisable to adhere to the terms of the offer letter that govern termination clauses in case you wish to resign.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR and Employee Relations Consultant