Appointment Letter
An appointment letter is issued after an employee joins and confirms the terms of employment — the document that governs the relationship, where the offer letter only proposed it.
Also known as: appointment letter format, joining letter
The distinction from an offer letter matters legally. An offer proposes; an appointment letter records what was agreed and is the reference point in any later dispute about terms.
It typically restates designation, reporting line, compensation structure, probation and confirmation, notice period, leave entitlement, and any confidentiality or non-solicitation obligations. Where it differs from the offer letter — and it sometimes does — the difference should be deliberate and pointed out, not discovered.
Issuing it promptly matters more than it appears. An employee working for months without one has terms that exist only in an offer letter and in custom, which is a weak position for both sides.
Handled in SignHR
Onboarding & Offboarding
Joining to exit in one flow: offer letters, digital joining forms, e-signatures, welcome workflows, clearance checklists, and full-and-final settlement.
See onboarding & offboardingRelated terms
Offer Letter
An offer letter is the document proposing employment — role, compensation, start date and key conditions — issued before the employee accepts and joins.
Probation Period
Probation is an initial period of employment during which both sides assess the fit, usually carrying a shorter notice period and reduced access to some benefits until the employee is confirmed.
Notice Period
Notice period is the time an employee must continue working after resigning, or that an employer must give before terminating, as set by the employment contract.
Relieving Letter
A relieving letter confirms that an employee has been formally released from their obligations on a given date, having served notice and completed handover.