Paperwork and documentation is a huge part of the organizational workflow. No process is complete without the inflow and outflow of letters and documents. Some are casual intimations while the other papers are legal/ official letters. So, it is highly imperative to recognize and distinguish between the two and act accordingly. There are times when employees do not understand the true essence of every official document that is issued to them during their employment period. Every document has its own importance, meaning and usage in the professional journey.
For instance, the thin line between an offer letter and the appointment letter can’t be seen and realized by every employee unless explained with reasoning. Same is the case with misinterpreting a relieving letter and confusing it with an experience letter. While the former documents are released at the time of joining an organization, the latter ones are issued when an employee decides to quit working with a company.
To have an in-depth comprehension of the primary differences between an experience and a relieving letter, read the points below:
Time of Issue/ Release
The first differentiating factor is the time when these letters are sent out and shared with the employees. It is not necessary that both these letters are demanded and issued at the same time. However, it varies from organization to organization when and how they want to provide the papers. An experience letter can be issued any time after the resignation is accepted by the employer, as per the concerned employee’s request. Whereas, the relieving letter is given to the employee when he is finally leaving the organization after serving the notice period completely. (on his last working day or later).
Intent/ Essence of the Letter
The main reason behind the whole concept of issuing a relieving letter is to approve that there are no dues pending with the employee, he/ she is free from the responsibilities at the time of employment termination and the employer has no objection in him joining another organization.
On the other hand, an experience letter format is used to showcase competencies, skills and level of comprehension about the concerned domain to the next employer so that they can set a bar for what they can expect from this letter holder based on the details mentioned about their employment from the previous experience.
Contents of the Letter
The last thing you observe in these letters that draw the line between the two is the information mentioned in them. Although the content of both letters is almost the same, there is a hairline difference. If we talk about an experience letter, the essential particulars that must be mentioned are Current Date, Place, Employee’s Name, Designation, Department, Date of Joining, Date of Resignation, Resignation Acceptance Confirmation, Agreement of Notice Period Completion and Last Working Day.
The relieving letter, on the other hand, consists of the same elements along with the approval and confirmation of professional behaviour and positive moral conduct of the employee besides issuing a NOC (No Objection Certificate) so that the employee can start working elsewhere.
