Handling Dual Employment: What to Do with Your Experience Letter

Introduction

When you take on dual employment, managing your experience letters can be challenging. This article aims to provide guidance on how to handle your experience letter when you have engaged in dual employment for a short period.

The Risks of Editing an Experience Letter

Editing an experience letter, whether it's a hard copy or an email, is generally not advisable for several reasons. Here’s why:

Hard Copy Editing: Altering a hard copy document is inadvisable due to the risk of physical alterations being detected. Email Editing: Editing an email copy can be challenging, and such modifications can be easily detected through forensic analysis. Background Verification: During background checks, your previous employer will confirm your actual last day of work, which will not match the edited relieving letter. This discrepancy can lead to legal issues and a loss of a job. Future Employment Issues: Anytime you change jobs, you run the risk of dealing with these issues. Having a clear, unaltered relieving letter is essential for a smooth transition.

Impact on Your EPF Account and UAN

When your new employer sets up an EPF (Employee Provident Fund) account for you, they will obtain information about your previous employment. This information, including the last working day with your previous employer, will be verified. If this information does not match your edited relieving letter, legal and financial issues might arise.

Navigating Dual Employment Legally

Working simultaneously for two organizations is considered dual employment, and it is challenging to manage legally, especially if it involves part-time work. Here's how to handle this situation:

Single Experience Letter: It is advisable to provide a single, clear experience letter from your current or most reputable employer. As one month of experience is negligible, it can be considered as no employment for practical purposes. Resumé Updates: You can update your resume at any time to reflect your current position, experiences, and qualifications. This ensures that you provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. Transparency: If you choose to give both experiences on your resume, be transparent about your situation to your new employer. Explain your position and apologize for any confusion, rather than engaging in fraudulent practices.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

It is illegal to misrepresent your employment history. If your background verification (BVG) reveals false documentation, you may face serious legal consequences, including charges of document forgery. Honesty and transparency are crucial during the job application process.

Conclusion

Dual employment can complicate your professional life, especially when it comes to managing your experience letters. To avoid potential legal and ethical issues, it is best to manage your employment history transparently and accurately. Provide a single, clear experience letter from your current or most reputable employer and update your resume regularly to keep your job application process smooth.