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Service Letter
I need a service letter confirming my employment details, including my job title, duration of employment, and a brief description of my responsibilities. The letter should be addressed to a potential employer and include contact information for verification purposes.
What is a Service Letter?
A Service Letter is a formal document employers provide when employment ends, confirming basic details about a worker's time with the company. Under Singapore's Employment Act, employees can request this letter, which typically states their job title, employment duration, and last drawn salary.
The letter helps job seekers prove their work history to potential employers and serves as an official record for various administrative purposes. While not automatically issued, companies must provide one within 7 days when an employee makes a written request. Many Singapore employers now include service letters as part of their standard offboarding process.
When should you use a Service Letter?
Request a Service Letter when leaving your job in Singapore, especially if you're transitioning to a new employer. This document proves valuable during job interviews, visa applications, or when applying for bank loans, as it officially verifies your employment history and last-drawn salary.
Make your request in writing right after receiving your notice of termination or submitting your resignation. While the law requires employers to provide the letter within 7 days, getting ahead of the process helps avoid delays in your career transition. The letter becomes particularly important if you're switching industries or need to demonstrate your work experience to government authorities.
What are the different types of Service Letter?
- Basic Service Letter: Contains just employment dates, position, and salary鈥攖he minimum required by Singapore law
- Detailed Service Letter: Includes additional information like job responsibilities, projects handled, and achievements
- Performance Service Letter: Incorporates comments about work quality and conduct鈥攃ommonly requested for senior positions
- Industry-Specific Letter: Tailored for sectors like banking or healthcare, highlighting relevant certifications or clearances
- Character Reference Service Letter: Combines standard employment details with a personal evaluation of the employee's work ethics and reliability
Who should typically use a Service Letter?
- Employers: Must provide Service Letters within 7 days of written request, typically drafted by HR departments or senior management
- HR Managers: Handle the preparation, verification, and issuance of Service Letters, ensuring compliance with Employment Act requirements
- Employees: Can request these letters when leaving a company, using them for job applications or visa processes
- Hiring Companies: Review Service Letters to verify candidates' employment history and last-drawn salary
- Government Agencies: Reference these letters for work pass applications, employment disputes, or official verifications
How do you write a Service Letter?
- Employee Details: Gather full name, NRIC/FIN number, job title, and employment dates from HR records
- Salary Information: Confirm last-drawn basic salary and any fixed allowances from payroll system
- Job Scope: List key responsibilities and major projects handled during employment
- Company Information: Include official company name, registration number, and authorized signatory details
- Format Check: Use our platform's Service Letter template to ensure all mandatory elements are included and properly structured
- Internal Review: Have HR manager or department head verify all information before finalizing
What should be included in a Service Letter?
- Company Details: Official registered name, business registration number, and registered address
- Employee Information: Full name, NRIC/FIN number, and current residential address
- Employment Period: Precise start and end dates of employment relationship
- Position Details: Last held job title and department
- Compensation: Final basic salary and fixed allowances as required by Employment Act
- Authorization: Signature of authorized company representative with designation
- Date of Issue: Current date when letter is signed and issued
What's the difference between a Service Letter and an Employment Reference Letter?
A Service Letter differs significantly from an Employment Reference Letter in several key aspects, though both relate to employment documentation in Singapore.
- Legal Requirement: Service Letters are mandatory when requested under the Employment Act, while reference letters are voluntary and discretionary
- Content Scope: Service Letters stick to factual details like employment dates and salary, while reference letters include performance evaluations and character assessments
- Purpose: Service Letters primarily serve as official proof of employment for administrative purposes, while reference letters aim to help secure future employment
- Timing: Service Letters must be provided within 7 days of request, but reference letters have no legal timeline requirements
- Liability: Service Letters contain objective information only, protecting employers from potential defamation claims that could arise from subjective reference letters
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