I have submitted a certificate from my employer stating the hours, duties, etc. but the officer has a concern as I did not declare this experience before in my study permit application (I was a student in Canada). So I am going to submit the contract.
Your friend's status is called implied status
Check more details here
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=188&top=17
I had the same situation and it went over the estimated time but finally, my PGWP got approved.