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Service Letter
I need a service letter confirming the employment details of an employee who has worked with us for 3 years, including their job title, responsibilities, and the reason for leaving the company. The letter should be addressed to potential future employers and include contact information for verification.
What is a Service Letter?
A Service Letter is a formal document from a previous employer that confirms someone's work history and describes their job performance. In New Zealand's employment landscape, these letters help job seekers prove their work experience and character to potential employers, particularly in regulated industries like aviation, healthcare, and financial services.
While not legally required under NZ employment law, Service Letters play a vital role in professional references and background checks. They typically include dates of employment, positions held, key responsibilities, and often a statement about the employee's conduct and reason for leaving. Many Kiwi employers provide these as part of their standard off-boarding process.
When should you use a Service Letter?
Request a Service Letter when leaving a job to document your employment history and performance, especially if you're moving into regulated industries like banking or aviation in New Zealand. These letters carry extra weight during background checks because they come directly from previous employers, making them more credible than basic reference checks.
Ask for a Service Letter immediately after receiving your notice or resignation acceptance. This timing helps capture accurate details while they're fresh and ensures you have proper documentation before your employer's records become harder to access. Many NZ recruitment processes specifically look for these letters to verify career progression and professional conduct.
What are the different types of Service Letter?
- Letter Of Authorization: The most basic form, confirming employment dates and position held
- Letter Of Support: A detailed Service Letter that includes performance evaluation and specific achievements
- Application Letter For Nursing: Healthcare-specific version focusing on clinical competencies and registration requirements
- Cover Letter For Health Care Assistant: Tailored for healthcare support roles, emphasizing patient care experience and relevant certifications
Who should typically use a Service Letter?
- HR Managers: Draft and issue Service Letters on behalf of the company, ensuring accuracy and compliance with employment records
- Former Employers: Provide factual information about past employment, job duties, and conduct during employment
- Job Seekers: Request and use Service Letters to verify their work history and professional standing to new employers
- Hiring Managers: Review Service Letters during recruitment to validate candidates' employment claims and assess performance
- Industry Regulators: May require Service Letters for certain licensed positions or regulated professions in New Zealand
How do you write a Service Letter?
- Employment Details: Gather accurate dates of employment, job titles, and key responsibilities from HR records
- Performance Data: Compile factual information about achievements, conduct, and any relevant certifications
- Company Information: Include current letterhead, correct legal entity name, and authorized signatory details
- Legal Compliance: Our platform ensures your Service Letter meets NZ employment law requirements while maintaining professional standards
- Final Review: Double-check all dates, position titles, and performance statements for accuracy before sending
What should be included in a Service Letter?
- Company Details: Full legal business name, registered address, and contact information on official letterhead
- Employee Information: Complete name, position titles held, and precise employment duration dates
- Job Description: Primary responsibilities, key achievements, and any special projects or roles
- Performance Statement: Factual assessment of work quality and conduct, avoiding subjective opinions
- Authentication: Date, authorized signatory name, position, and signature to validate the letter
- Privacy Compliance: Statement confirming adherence to NZ Privacy Act 2020 regarding personal information handling
What's the difference between a Service Letter and an Employment Reference Letter?
Service Letters often get confused with Employment Reference Letter, but they serve distinct purposes in New Zealand's employment landscape. While both documents relate to employment verification, they differ significantly in their scope and application.
- Legal Status: Service Letters are formal company documents that strictly state employment facts, while Reference Letters include personal opinions and recommendations
- Content Scope: Service Letters focus on verifiable details like dates, positions, and responsibilities, avoiding subjective assessments that Reference Letters typically contain
- Timing and Purpose: Service Letters are issued upon employment completion as official records, while Reference Letters can be written at any time for job applications
- Liability Implications: Service Letters carry greater legal weight as official company documents, requiring careful factual accuracy to avoid potential disputes
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