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Relieving Letter
I need a relieving letter for an employee who has completed their notice period and fulfilled all handover responsibilities, confirming their last working day and stating that they have no pending dues or obligations with the company.
What is a Relieving Letter?
A Relieving Letter serves as your official proof of leaving a job properly in Nigeria. When you resign or complete your employment, your employer gives you this important document to confirm you've finished all your work duties and cleared any pending obligations.
Under Nigerian labor practices, this letter helps you move smoothly to your next job since many companies require it before hiring. It typically includes your employment dates, role, and a statement that you've settled all company matters. Having this document protects both you and your former employer by formally marking the end of your professional relationship.
When should you use a Relieving Letter?
You need a Relieving Letter when switching jobs in Nigeria's corporate sector. Most employers require this document from your previous workplace before finalizing your new employment. It's especially important in regulated industries like banking, telecommunications, and oil and gas, where employment verification is strict.
Request your Relieving Letter as soon as you complete your notice period. This timing helps avoid delays in joining your next company, since Nigerian employers often pause onboarding without this proof of proper exit. The letter also protects you if questions arise about your past employment or if you need to prove you fulfilled all obligations before leaving.
What are the different types of Relieving Letter?
- Company Relieving Letter: The standard format used across Nigerian businesses, featuring core elements like employment dates, role details, and clearance status. Can be customized with additional sections for specific industries, performance remarks, or project completion status, depending on company policy and employee level.
Who should typically use a Relieving Letter?
- HR Managers: Draft and issue the Relieving Letter on behalf of the company, ensuring all clearances are obtained and company policies are followed.
- Department Heads: Verify project completions and approve clearance before the letter is issued.
- Departing Employees: Request and receive the letter after completing their notice period and handover duties.
- Future Employers: Require and verify Relieving Letters as part of their recruitment process in Nigeria.
- Company Directors: Often sign these letters for senior-level employees, adding official authority to the document.
How do you write a Relieving Letter?
- Employee Details: Gather full name, employee ID, designation, and department information.
- Employment Dates: Confirm exact joining and last working dates in company records.
- Clearance Status: Get sign-offs from IT, finance, and department heads for pending dues or company assets.
- Project Handover: Document completion of ongoing work and knowledge transfer.
- Company Format: Use your organization's approved letterhead and official template structure.
- Verification Steps: Double-check all dates, designations, and clearance confirmations before final signature.
What should be included in a Relieving Letter?
- Company Information: Official letterhead with registered business name, address, and contact details.
- Employee Identity: Full name, employee ID, designation, and department as per employment records.
- Service Duration: Precise dates of employment commencement and completion.
- Clearance Statement: Confirmation that all company dues and assets have been settled.
- Character Reference: Brief statement about conduct and performance during employment.
- Authorization: Signature of HR head or authorized company representative with official stamp.
- Exit Terms: Confirmation that resignation was accepted and notice period properly served.
What's the difference between a Relieving Letter and an Experience Letter?
A Relieving Letter differs significantly from an Experience Letter in Nigerian employment practices. While both documents relate to employment verification, they serve distinct purposes and are used at different stages of the professional journey.
- Timing and Purpose: A Relieving Letter marks the official end of employment and confirms proper exit, while an Experience Letter details your work history and can be obtained during employment.
- Legal Weight: Relieving Letters are mandatory for most job transitions in Nigeria, whereas Experience Letters are optional documents primarily used for career advancement.
- Content Focus: Relieving Letters emphasize clearance of dues and proper handover, while Experience Letters concentrate on roles, responsibilities, and achievements.
- Usage Context: New employers typically require Relieving Letters for immediate hiring decisions, but Experience Letters are more useful for long-term career development and job applications.
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