Law Commons^™

Potential Employer Liability For Employee References, Kyle E. Skopic

University of Richmond Law Review

Employers are having second thoughts about giving employee references. Until recently, prior employers willingly passed on significant amounts of employee information to prospective employers. However, the increasing propensity of individuals and companies to sue over undesirable or inadequate references has made many employers reluctant to give out frank and detailed references. As courts continue to explore privacy and employee rights, employers will be forced to weigh the benefits of providing references' against the possibility of defending a costly lawsuit.