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A Relieving Letter is a formal document that Belgian employers provide when an employee leaves their job. It confirms the person's last working day and states that they've been officially released from their duties. While not strictly required under Belgian labor law, these letters have become a standard practice, especially in larger companies and international firms.

The letter helps employees transition smoothly to new jobs by proving they left their previous position properly. It typically includes employment dates, job title, and confirmation that all company property has been returned. Many Belgian HR departments now require this document during hiring, making it an important part of professional documentation alongside the official certificate of employment (werkgeversattest/attestation de l'employeur).

Request a Relieving Letter when leaving your job in Belgium, especially if you're moving to another position within the country. Many Belgian employers now ask for this document during their hiring process to verify your employment history and ensure a clean break from your previous role.

The letter becomes particularly important when joining multinational companies, applying for work permits, or dealing with employment disputes. Belgian HR departments often use it alongside the mandatory certificate of employment to complete their personnel files. Getting this letter right after your notice period ends makes future job transitions smoother and helps prevent any misunderstandings about your employment status.

• Standard Letter: The basic version confirms employment dates, position, and clearance of dues - commonly used in private sector companies.
• Detailed Version: Includes performance feedback, reason for separation, and specific project completions - preferred by multinational corporations.
• Academic Format: Used by educational institutions, focusing on research projects, teaching responsibilities, and academic contributions.
• Digital Certificate: An electronic version with digital signatures, becoming popular among Belgian tech companies and startups.
• Bilingual Format: Issues the letter in both French and Dutch, especially common in Brussels-based organizations and government institutions.

• HR Managers: Draft and issue Relieving Letters, maintain documentation, and ensure compliance with Belgian employment regulations.
• Department Heads: Review and confirm project handovers, approve clearances, and validate employee contributions.
• Departing Employees: Request the letter, ensure all handover requirements are met, and use it for future employment verification.
• New Employers: Request and verify Relieving Letters as part of their hiring process, especially in regulated industries.
• Legal Teams: Review letter content, ensure compliance with Belgian labor laws, and handle any disputes related to the document.

• Basic Details: Gather employee's full name, ID number, position title, department, and exact dates of employment.
• Exit Checklist: Complete inventory of returned company property, access card status, and IT system deactivation dates.
• Project Status: Document completed assignments, ongoing work handovers, and any pending responsibilities.
• Financial Clearance: Confirm all salary settlements, expense claims, and benefits calculations are finalized.
• Compliance Check: Verify the letter follows Belgian labor law requirements and includes both French and Dutch if needed.
• Format Review: Use our platform's template to ensure all mandatory elements are included and properly structured.

• Header Information: Company letterhead, reference number, and date of issuance in the official company format.
• Employee Details: Full legal name, national registry number, job title, and department as registered with social security.
• Employment Period: Precise start and end dates, including any probation or contract modifications.
• Clearance Statement: Confirmation that all company assets are returned and financial obligations settled.
• Compliance Declaration: Statement confirming adherence to notice period and handover requirements.
• Authentication: Authorized signatory details, company stamp, and contact information for verification.
• Language Requirements: Text in appropriate Belgian official language(s) based on region.

A Relieving Letter differs significantly from an Employment Reference Letter in both purpose and content, though they're often confused in Belgian workplace documentation.

• Timing and Purpose: A Relieving Letter is issued immediately upon employment termination, primarily confirming the end of employment obligations. An Employment Reference Letter can be issued at any time and focuses on performance evaluation and skill assessment.
• Legal Requirements: While Employment Reference Letters are mandatory under Belgian labor law when requested, Relieving Letters are voluntary but increasingly standard practice.
• Content Scope: Relieving Letters strictly document employment dates and clearance status. Reference Letters provide detailed insights about work quality, responsibilities, and achievements.
• Future Use: Relieving Letters prove clean employment separation, while Reference Letters support future job applications with performance information.