What is the Difference Between Relieving Letter and Experience Letter

The key difference between relieving letter and experience letter is that a relieving letter is issued when an employee is leaving employment after handing over his resignation letter, whereas an experience letter is issued anytime before, during, or after the resignation of an employee.

Obtaining relieving letters and experience letters are the right of an employee. Both these types of letters are printed on the letterhead of an organization. The full name, designation, and signature of the person issuing the letter are always mentioned in them. Not having these letters may lead to difficulties in finding new jobs.

CONTENT

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Relieving Letter
3. What is an Experience Letter
4. Relieving Letter vs Experience Letter in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Relieving Letter vs Experience Letter

What is a Relieving Letter?

A relieving letter is a formal letter issued on the last day of the employee by an organization. It is a way of formally accepting the resignation of the employee and relieving him from his duties and responsibilities. A relieving letter is important since it is proof that the employee had left the previous organization without any complications or objections.

A relieving letter is usually printed on the letterhead of the organization the employee had been working on and is signed by an authorized representative. The employee’s abilities can also be included in this letter, but it depends on the person in charge of issuing the letter. This should be submitted to his new employers, and not having a relieving letter may lead to problems in finding another job.

What to Include in a Relieving Letter

• Details of the employee (full name, job title, start date and end date of the employment)
• Details of the company (full name, corporate address, contact details, and date of issuing the letter)
• Conduct of the employee
• Resignation date of the employee
• A statement of appreciation for the employee
• Details of the person issuing the relieving letter (full name, job title, and signature)

Features of a Relieving Letter

• Issued on the company letterhead
• Mention the full name of the next employer or use “To Whomsoever It May Concern.”
• Simple and professional language
• Brief and to the point
• Mention the acceptance of the resignation

What is an Experience Letter?

An experience letter is a formal letter issued to an employee describing the work done by him and the experience he gained. These are also identified as service certificates. These are issued on the letterhead of the organization.

Experience letters are issued for various reasons, even when the employee is still working for an organization. Such reasons may include higher education or applying for visas.  The particular reason will be mentioned in the letter. Obtaining a service letter is a right of an employee; therefore, no organization can refuse it.

What to Include in an Experience Letter

• Date of issue
• Full name of the employee
• Designation of the employee
• Duration the employee had worked for the organization
• Roles and responsibilities of the employee
• Last drawn salary of the employee
• Details of the person issuing the letter

Uses of an Experience Letter

• Describes the employee’s skills and abilities
• Proves that the employee had worked for the organization that is issuing the letter
• Mentions the employee’s designation and the salary scale
• Acts as proof of the duration of the employee’s service
• Mentions the roles and responsibilities of the employee in the organization
• Acts as a supporting document to the employees resume when he is applying for new jobs

What is the Difference Between Relieving Letter and Experience Letter?

The key difference between relieving letter and experience letter is that a relieving letter is issued when the employee is leaving the organization after handing over his resignation letter, while an experience letter is issued anytime before, during or after a resignation.

The below infographic lists the differences between relieving letter and experience letter in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Relieving Letter vs Experience Letter

A relieving letter is a formal letter issued on the last day of the employee by an organization. It is issued only on the resigning day of an employee and proves that the employee had resigned from his previous organization without any problems or objections, that his resignation had been accepted, and he is relieved from all the responsibilities and duties concerning the organization. An experience letter, on the other hand, is a formal letter issued to an employee indicating the work done by him and the experience he gained. These can be issued even before a resignation of an employee. This certifies that the employee had worked/ is working for the organization and includes his service period, skills, abilities, responsibilities and sometimes the salary. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between relieving letter and experience letter.

Reference:

1. “Relieving Letter Format.” Leverage Edu, 8 May 2021.
2. “Experience Letter Sample: Definition, Tips and Examples.” Indeed Career Guide.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hands-laptop-working-businessman” (CC0) via Pixabay

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