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03-01-2025

How to Write a Relieving Letter: Format and Sample?

By JAIN College
How to Write a Relieving Letter: Format and Samples

Every individual needs to write various types of letters during their lifetime. Some write letters to their family members, send greetings, invitation letters and more. Similarly, there are professional or formal letters mainly crafted for applying for a job, relieving from a job/position, applying for leave, sending notice and more. All these letters have their own format and email templates which need to be followed before crafting a letter.

Relieving letters are formal documents that employers provide to employees upon terminating their employment.

But how to craft this relieving letter?

Want to learn more about the relieving letter? You are at the right place!

In this article, let us learn more in detail about the relieving letter, How to Write a Relieving Letter, its formats, samples and more.

Table Of Contents:
  • What is a Relieving Letter?
  • How to Write a Relieving Letter?
  • Importance of a Relieving Letter
  • What is the Format of a  Relieving Letter?
  • Samples of a Relieving Letter:
  • Sample 1: General Relieving Letter
  • Sample 2:  Relieving Letter for Contractual Employee
  • Sample 3:  Relieving Letter with Handover Confirmation
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Relieving Letter?

A relieving letter is an official document issued by an employer to an employee upon their resignation or completion of their notice period.

This letter serves as formal confirmation that the employee has been relieved of their duties and responsibilities within the organisation. This is a formal document and is crucial for the employee's career progression as it acts as proof of their association with the organisation and ensures a smooth transition to future opportunities. 

Writing a relieving letter requires a professional tone, concise content, and adherence to proper structure to maintain organisational integrity.

Key Features of a Relieving Letter:

  1. Confirmation of Resignation: Acknowledges that the employee's resignation has been accepted.
  2. Last Working Day: Specifies the employee's final working date in the organisation.
  3. Employment Tenure: Includes the duration of the employee's service with the company.
  4. Completion of Responsibilities: The Relieving Letter should confirm that the employee has completed their assigned tasks and other roles & responsibilities.
  5. Goodwill Message: Expresses gratitude for the employee's contributions and best wishes for their future endeavours. [This is an Optional]

Also Read: Master the Art of Formal Letter Writing

How to Write a Relieving Letter?

A relieving letter is a formal document issued by an employer to employees after accepting their resignation and relieving them from all their responsibilities.

Here are some important points to remember while crafting a relieving letter:

  • The relieving letter should be issued on the company letterhead,
  • The tone of the relieving letter should be formal/professional and polite.
  • A relieving letter should include joining and the last date of working in the present organisation.
  • A relieving letter issued by an employer should include the acceptance of the employee's resignation and their designation. 
  • A relieving letter should include the ideal salutation, until and unless the employee requests a specific name, which is “To Whomsoever It May Concern.”

Importance of a Relieving Letter

A relieving letter formally acknowledges the closure/completion of an employment relationship and ensures clarity and transparency during the separation process. This letter serves as an important document in the professional world, both for the employee and the employer in various ways.

Here are the key reasons why a relieving letter is important:

  • For the Employee

Proof of Employment:

  • A relieving letter is often required for background verification by future employers.
  • A relieving letter acts as official proof that the employee worked for the organisation during the specified tenure.

Smooth Transition:

  • Some organisations may not onboard new employees without a relieving letter.
  • A relieving letter helps the employee to join a new organisation by confirming that they have been officially relieved of their previous duties.

Professional Credibility:

  • A relieving letter confirms that the employee left their previous organisation on good terms, completing all assigned responsibilities.

Legal and Financial Record:

  • A relieving letter serves as a record for legal purposes. Thus, ensuring that there are no pending dues or disputes from the previous organisation.
  • For the Employer

Maintaining Professional Relations:

  • A relieving letter leaves a positive impression, helping maintain goodwill between the employee and employer.

Compliance with Organisational Policies:

  • Issuing a relieving letter ensures adherence to company policies and legal standards, preventing future misunderstandings.

Transparency in the Separation Process:

  • A relieving letter provides a formal record that the employee has been relieved of their responsibilities and no longer holds any responsibility within the company/organisation.

What is the Format of a Relieving Letter?

Here is the standardised format for writing an effective relieving letter. This format can be customised to meet specific organisational requirements and helps tailor one for a specific situation!

[Company Letterhead]

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

To Whom It May Concern,

Subject: Relieving Letter for [Employee Name]

Salutation

Begin the letter with a formal greeting:

Introduction

State the purpose of the letter and confirm the employee’s resignation:

Employment Details

Include details about the employee's tenure:

Handover Confirmation (Optional)

Conclusion

Closure Signature

This format ensures the letter is professional and adheres to standard business practices.

Here are certain tips to be followed while writing the Relieving Letter: 

  1. While crafting the relieving letter, maintain a professional tone.
  2. Keep the relieving letter concise, ideally limited to one page.
  3. Print the relieving letter on the company’s letterhead for authenticity.
  4. Ensure accuracy in dates, names, and other details within the relieving Letter.

Samples of a Relieving Letter:

Here are some of the samples of the Relieving Letter: 

Sample 1: General Relieving Letter:

[Your Company Name]

[Company Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Subject [Relieving Letter for [Employee Name]]

To Whom It May Concern,

[Opening Paragraph]

[This is to confirm that [Employee Name], who was employed with [Company Name] as [Job Title], has been relieved of their duties effective [Last Working Day].]

[Body Paragraph(s)]

[[Employee Name] joined our organisation on [Date of Joining] and has completed his/her notice period as per company policies. During their tenure, they have displayed professionalism, dedication, and commitment to their role, contributing positively to our team.]

[Closing Paragraph]

[We appreciate [Employee Name]'s contributions to our organisation and wish him/her success in their future endeavours. For further information or clarification, please feel free to contact us at [HR Email Address] or [Phone Number].]

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Designation]

[Company Name]

Sample 2:  Relieving Letter with Handover Confirmation<

[Your Company Name]

[Company Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Subject [Relieving Letter for [Employee Name]]

To Whom It May Concern,

[Opening Paragraph]

This is to confirm that [Employee Name], who was working with us as [Job Title], has been relieved of their duties effective [Last Working Day].

[Body Paragraph(s)]

[Employee Name] joined our organisation on [Date of Joining] and has served with diligence and professionalism throughout their tenure. They have completed the required handover process and fulfilled all responsibilities before their departure.

[Closing Paragraph]

We thank [Employee Name] for their contributions to [Company Name] and wish them success in all their future endeavours. If any additional information is needed, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Designation]

[Company Name]

Sample 3: Relieving Letter for Contractual Employee

[Your Company Name]

[Company Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Subject [Relieving Letter for [Employee Name]]

To Whom It May Concern,

[Opening Paragraph]

This letter serves to confirm that [Employee Name], who was engaged with [Company Name] as a [Job Title] under a contractual agreement, has been relieved of their duties effective [Last Working Day].

[Body Paragraph(s)]

[Employee Name] has completed their contract period from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Their contributions during this period have been valuable to the team and the organisation.

[Closing Paragraph]

We wish [Employee Name] all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for their association with us. For any further queries, feel free to contact us.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Designation]

[Company Name]

Conclusion

A relieving letter is a vital document that reflects the professionalism of the organisation and supports the employee in their career journey. 

By following a structured format, maintaining a polite and professional tone, and including key details such as the employee's tenure and last working day, the organisation can ensure clarity and goodwill. 

A well-written relieving letter not only fosters positive relations but also leaves a lasting impression of the organisation's values.

Stay tuned to our website at JAIN College, one of the Best PU Colleges in Bangalore and explore more in detail about a relieving letter, its formats, samples and more about the different letter writing topics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A relieving letter is an essential document that ensures a professional and transparent conclusion to the employment relationship. It benefits both the employee and employer by safeguarding their interests and encouraging a culture of trust and professionalism.

Here are some of the essential details required in a relieving letter:

  • Date
  • Employee information
  • Subject 
  • Salutation
  • Body of the letter
  • Formalities and appreciation
  • Signature.

A relieving letter should be written in a professional tone.

The key features of a Relieving letter include:

  • Final Settlement
  • Proof of Employment
  • Clearance of Responsibilities

No. Both an experience letter and a relieving letter are different.

An experience letter includes all the details of an employee including a service certificate, details of an employee’s name, designation, gross annual salary, date of joining, date of leaving and the kind of experience an employee has had. A relieving letter is an official document issued to an employee leaving an organisation.

Yes. The format should follow formal business letter guidelines. Most organisations use:

  • Proper spacing,
  • Standard margins of 1 inch. 
  • Standard Word template featuring company letterhead,
  • Professional fonts - (Arial/Times New Roman, 11-12 point).

No. Without a relieving letter joining a new organisation/ company can be challenging as it is essential for background verification.

A relieving letter is proof of proper employment termination from the previous employer. It confirms you are free from previous organisations' responsibilities.

Here is a standard relieving letter format with the mandatory elements:

A relieving letter must be typed in a company letterhead and should include the following  mandatory elements:

  • Issuance date,
  • Employee details (name, ID, designation),
  • Employment duration,
  • Clearance confirmation,
  • Authorised signatory details. 

A relieving letter application should be formal, and should include your last working day in the present organisation and the completion of responsibilities.

About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education. Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

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