Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Employment Certificate
"I need an employment certificate confirming 3 years of service as a software engineer, including details of job responsibilities, annual salary of £45,000, and confirmation of employment from January 2020 to December 2023, with no disciplinary actions recorded."
What is an Employment Certificate?
An Employment Certificate proves someone's work history and status with an employer in England and Wales. It includes key details like job title, employment dates, salary information, and sometimes performance notes or reasons for leaving. Companies often issue these when employees move to new jobs or need to verify their work experience.
These certificates play a vital role in UK employment law compliance, especially for reference checks and visa applications. While not legally required, most British employers provide them as standard practice. The information must be accurate and fair under the Data Protection Act 2018, helping both employees document their career path and employers maintain proper records.
When should you use an Employment Certificate?
Request an Employment Certificate when leaving a job or applying for new positions in England and Wales. This document proves your work history to future employers and helps smooth the transition between roles. Many hiring managers specifically ask for these certificates during background checks.
You'll also need an Employment Certificate for visa applications, mortgage approvals, or rental agreements where proof of employment status is required. Some professional certifications and training programs ask for these certificates to verify work experience. Getting one at the end of each job makes future paperwork much easier, as tracking down employment details years later can be challenging.
What are the different types of Employment Certificate?
- Working Certificate: Basic proof of employment showing dates and position
- Certificate Of Employment And Salary: Includes detailed income information for loans or rentals
- Youth Employment Certificate: Specialized version for workers under 18, meeting additional legal requirements
- Certificate Of Employment Form: Standardized template with comprehensive work details
- Salary Certificate From Employer: Focused specifically on income verification and payment history
Who should typically use an Employment Certificate?
- HR Departments: Draft and issue Employment Certificates on behalf of companies, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK employment law
- Current Employers: Authorize and sign the certificates, confirming employment details and work history
- Employees: Request and use these certificates when changing jobs, applying for mortgages, or pursuing visa applications
- Hiring Managers: Review certificates during recruitment to verify candidates' work experience and employment history
- Financial Institutions: Rely on these certificates to confirm employment and income for loans or mortgages
- Immigration Officials: Use certificates to verify employment status for visa processing
How do you write an Employment Certificate?
- Employee Details: Collect full name, job title, department, and employee ID number from HR records
- Employment Dates: Confirm exact start date and end date (if applicable) from personnel files
- Salary Information: Verify current or final salary, including any changes during employment
- Job Responsibilities: List main duties and any significant achievements or promotions
- Company Information: Include official company name, address, and registration details
- Authorised Signatory: Identify appropriate manager or HR representative with signing authority
- Document Format: Use our platform's template to ensure all legally required elements are included
What should be included in an Employment Certificate?
- Company Details: Full registered name, address, and company registration number
- Employee Information: Complete name, position title, and employment dates
- Employment Status: Clear statement of full-time, part-time, or contractual relationship
- Salary Declaration: Current or final compensation details when required
- Job Description: Brief outline of main responsibilities and duties
- Authentication: Company letterhead, official stamp if applicable
- Signatory Details: Name, position, and signature of authorized representative
- Data Protection Statement: Compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Issue Date: Clear dating of the certificate's creation
What's the difference between an Employment Certificate and an Employment Reference Letter?
An Employment Certificate differs significantly from an Employment Reference Letter in several key ways, though both documents relate to employment verification in England and Wales.
- Purpose: Employment Certificates provide factual confirmation of employment status and details, while reference letters offer subjective assessments of performance and character
- Content Scope: Certificates stick to verifiable facts like dates, position, and salary, whereas reference letters include personal observations about skills and workplace conduct
- Legal Weight: Certificates serve as official company documents with stronger legal standing, particularly for visa applications and financial matters
- Format: Certificates follow a standardized format with specific required elements, while reference letters allow more flexibility in structure and content
- Timing: Certificates can be issued at any time during or after employment, but reference letters typically come at the end of employment or during job searches
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
Genie’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; Genie’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.