SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore
Do Singapore Employers issue relieving/release letter?
Do Singapore Employers issue relieving/release letter?
Hello,
I have been employed in Singapore for a while now. Also I am from India. I have a question that if anyone decides to resign from the job and leave Singapore, is a relieving letter issued to them? I am not sure if it is a standard practice here in this country and so this question.
Also the reason I ask this is because Employers in India usually look for such documents during the process of hiring. So it will be expected of you to carry with you the Relieving letter from the previous organization.
I would be very grateful if anyone could throw light on this...
Thanks
I have been employed in Singapore for a while now. Also I am from India. I have a question that if anyone decides to resign from the job and leave Singapore, is a relieving letter issued to them? I am not sure if it is a standard practice here in this country and so this question.
Also the reason I ask this is because Employers in India usually look for such documents during the process of hiring. So it will be expected of you to carry with you the Relieving letter from the previous organization.
I would be very grateful if anyone could throw light on this...
Thanks
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39755
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
Most Singapore employers issue letters if they initiate the release from service, e.g., released due to inability to renew work permit, termination letter, redundency letter, etc, etc.
But if the employee resigned, then usually the only letter is the one the employee must give to the employers (resignation letter).
Recommendation letters are nice but not obligatory from the employer if you want the employer to be brutally honest. A good employer may give if asked for, but be careful what you ask for.
But if the employee resigned, then usually the only letter is the one the employee must give to the employers (resignation letter).
Recommendation letters are nice but not obligatory from the employer if you want the employer to be brutally honest. A good employer may give if asked for, but be careful what you ask for.

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
- the lynx
- Governor
- Posts: 5281
- Joined: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 6:29 pm
- Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location:
Another term Singaporeans use for this document is also 'testimony' and 'statement of service'.sundaymorningstaple wrote:Recommendation letters are nice but not obligatory from the employer if you want the employer to be brutally honest. A good employer may give if asked for, but be careful what you ask for.
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39755
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
Those we give regardless as they ask for them for most anything, loans, school subsidies, HDB applications, etc. Even for PR applications. We just call 'em "Too whom it may concern letters" but they don't give any recommendations or indications of character other than being a current employee, which generally is taken to mean a decent employee as they haven't been sacked. 

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
- Strong Eagle
- Moderator
- Posts: 11504
- Joined: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:13 am
- Location: Off The Red Dot
- Contact:
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39755
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
SE, you are right, except for HR people like myself when sourcing a candidate. I usually check references and make phone calls when I can to confirm data if I really see a potential employee. Of course it also depends on the level of the applicant and the position being sourced for.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
Hello all,
I guess we would just be looking at something like This person was employed with us from beginning date to end date and was drawing xxxx SGD. I am not sure if a character voucher is or any recommendations are necessary.
Would asking for such a letter from the employer after resignation be obliged or entertained?
Thanks
I guess we would just be looking at something like This person was employed with us from beginning date to end date and was drawing xxxx SGD. I am not sure if a character voucher is or any recommendations are necessary.
Would asking for such a letter from the employer after resignation be obliged or entertained?
Thanks
- Strong Eagle
- Moderator
- Posts: 11504
- Joined: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:13 am
- Location: Off The Red Dot
- Contact:
This is why I say you should just create your own. Grab a piece of company letterhead. Write down what you just wrote here. Be honest. Then sign it as a department (Human Resources or the department where you worked)... no actual names.machoman wrote:Hello all,
I guess we would just be looking at something like This person was employed with us from beginning date to end date and was drawing xxxx SGD. I am not sure if a character voucher is or any recommendations are necessary.
Would asking for such a letter from the employer after resignation be obliged or entertained?
Thanks
Then, guys like SMS can actually contact HR and find out if the information is correct, but without a named person, it all ends there.
- singaporeflyer
- Moderator
- Posts: 4140
- Joined: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 9:49 am
I think should be ok. I have worked for 3 companies in SG till now and all were able to give letters of the above format including the conduct without any issues.machoman wrote:Hello all,
I guess we would just be looking at something like This person was employed with us from beginning date to end date and was drawing xxxx SGD. I am not sure if a character voucher is or any recommendations are necessary.
Would asking for such a letter from the employer after resignation be obliged or entertained?
Thanks
If you request politely to your employer or ex-employer they should be ok for it.
singaporeflyer wrote:I think should be ok. I have worked for 3 companies in SG till now and all were able to give letters of the above format including the conduct without any issues.machoman wrote:Hello all,
I guess we would just be looking at something like This person was employed with us from beginning date to end date and was drawing xxxx SGD. I am not sure if a character voucher is or any recommendations are necessary.
Would asking for such a letter from the employer after resignation be obliged or entertained?
Thanks
If you request politely to your employer or ex-employer they should be ok for it.
Thanks everyone for the responses. The discussion certainly has offered more clarity.
plus in Singapore, for mid level jobs, prospective employers ring up the former employers directly, and add to it the need to submit pay slips ... reference letters are not so needed per se ..sundaymorningstaple wrote:Most Singapore employers issue letters if they initiate the release from service, e.g., released due to inability to renew work permit, termination letter, redundency letter, etc, etc.
But if the employee resigned, then usually the only letter is the one the employee must give to the employers (resignation letter).
Recommendation letters are nice but not obligatory from the employer if you want the employer to be brutally honest. A good employer may give if asked for, but be careful what you ask for.
-
- Chatter
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 1:12 pm
Calling up for reference check makes way more sense than reading a standard letter saying "This guy did a great work and we wish him luck".ecureilx wrote:plus in Singapore, for mid level jobs, prospective employers ring up the former employers directly, and add to it the need to submit pay slips ... reference letters are not so needed per se ..sundaymorningstaple wrote:Most Singapore employers issue letters if they initiate the release from service, e.g., released due to inability to renew work permit, termination letter, redundency letter, etc, etc.
But if the employee resigned, then usually the only letter is the one the employee must give to the employers (resignation letter).
Recommendation letters are nice but not obligatory from the employer if you want the employer to be brutally honest. A good employer may give if asked for, but be careful what you ask for.
yah, and Singapore employers do it, despite they asking sweetly "do you want us to not contact your employer, and if so, explain why" and you happily tick "YES" to that, and then you get a call from your ex-employer saying somebody called ..vishalgupta2 wrote:Calling up for reference check makes way more sense than reading a standard letter saying "This guy did a great work and we wish him luck".
Kiasuism at work for prospective employers

then again, I know atleast one of my former employers will not say nice things because they changed from an IT Products company to a plastic distributor and I refused to stay as a sales man for Plastic drums etc .. and the HR/CEO (same person) is not happy till date, that I left him than work for him for peanuts doing an unrelated work ..
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
How is the date of issue determined on ltvp ipa letter?
by imdachoi » Sun, 23 May 2021 1:49 am » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 1 Replies
- 1917 Views
-
Last post by imdachoi
Mon, 24 May 2021 11:21 am
-
-
-
Employment Pass - Do any employers still submit manually?
by am1707 » Tue, 20 Feb 2018 4:58 am » in Careers & Jobs in Singapore - 4 Replies
- 2340 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 8:00 am
-
-
-
Getting multiple employers to apply EP simultaneously
by eren_jaeger » Mon, 03 Jun 2019 9:59 pm » in Careers & Jobs in Singapore - 4 Replies
- 6023 Views
-
Last post by brian_singapore
Thu, 06 Jun 2019 11:41 am
-
-
-
Do Spass holders need to inform employers on their marriage?
by iceblue » Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:50 am » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 15 Replies
- 3910 Views
-
Last post by sundaymorningstaple
Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:50 pm
-
-
-
Helper acquitted of stealing from employers
by abbby » Mon, 07 Sep 2020 10:16 am » in Careers & Jobs in Singapore - 0 Replies
- 1499 Views
-
Last post by abbby
Mon, 07 Sep 2020 10:16 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests