Reg: Appointment Letter - whether we should have a hard copy of the letter signed by the employee?

Dear All, This is Mary from Chennai, I work as an HR in an IT Start Firm. We have a practice of sending an Appointment letter through email to our employees digitally signed by the Managing Director. But we do not have the copy where the employee acceptance signatures are not there.
I would like to know whether we should have a hard copy of the letter signed by the employee or if this is fine. My concern is after the latter days they should not say, I have not received nor not accepted by me when they go against the Protocols.
Seeking your advice.

Thanks& Regards,
Mary

it is always good if you get the appointment order signed both by the employer (as an offer for employment) and employee (as acceptance of the offer) thus making it a contract of employment. There are a few court verdicts which say that email acceptance is sufficient to make a contract enforceable but it is always good if it is in writing. This is because, it may be challenged that the employee's mail is hacked and acceptance is sent by someone else.In the case of employment contract, any way the employee should come in person and do the joining formalities and undergo an induction as part of employment. At that time, you can do it along with getting the other forms like joining reports, PF nominations and declarations etc.

Thank you Sir, for your reply.