New Job Dilemma: Does an Offer Letter Mean I'm Already Employed? Seeking Advice!

Hi guys, I'm a fresher. I joined a company after receiving the offer letter on 5th June. Today, I received my appointment letter. However, I have decided not to work there. My concern is, if I do not accept the appointment letter, is there any employee/employer relationship between us based on the offer letter? Can I inform other companies that I am not currently employed anywhere and that I am a fresher? Please provide me with your valuable suggestions. Thank you.

Dear Md Sajid Ansari,

If you decline to accept the appointment letter, then the employer-employee relationship will not be established.

Acceptance of the Offer Letter

Your question is whether the acceptance of the offer letter establishes the employer-employee relationship. To comment on this, we need to know its content. So, please provide us with the verbatim of the offer letter.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Hi, The employer-employee relationship commences only after you join the company. Whether to accept the offer is the prerogative of the individual. Even if you accept the offer but are unable to join on the specified date, there is nothing wrong with it. The important thing is to communicate properly that you are not interested in joining. Providing advance notice whenever possible will help the employer plan for alternatives rather than facing last-minute surprises.

Please note that a job offer letter is nothing but a letter of intent. This has no legal validity. However, an offer of appointment or appointment order has legal validity, which, as per your post, is received by you today. Did you sign a copy of the letter and return it to the company?

Admittedly, you have joined the company, thus giving rise to the employer-employee relationship. As such, in my understanding, the appointment letter is a mere technicality.