Can a former employee sue for a letter of recommendation?

Disgruntled former employees have been known to sue companies that provided negative references (which why it is now often company policy never to provide letters of recommendation).

Is it illegal to disclose an opinion of a former employee?

As you noted, most people, in my experience, believe it is illegal for an employer to disclose any opinion or assessment of a former employee.

How to send a reference letter to a former employee?

If your former employee has provided you with a contact, you should address the letter to them; otherwise, you can use a ​generic salutation. Be sure to include your contact information, and your title and company. When you’re sending an email reference letter, list the person’s name in the subject line of the message.

Can a former employee confirm dates of service?

For “bad” employees, they say that they can just confirm dates of service and titles. There’s a wink and a nod, and everyone is supposed to understand the code. But some states, like Connecticut, have created a privilege for employment references of current or former employers that were solicited with the employee’s consent.

Why is hiring a lawyer to write a strongly worded letter is?

1. Your Employer Knows This Game. Unless it a smaller or new employer, this is very likely not its first rodeo. This is particularly true if the company has a general counsel or an outside attorney. Your former company many have received a dozen or more such letters.

Can a lawyer request a copy of an employee’s personnel record?

Only an employee has the right to receive a copy of his or her “personnel record.” The request from the employee’s attorney, even accompanied by the authorization you received, does not fall under Minnesota’s Personnel Record statute; and it wouldn’t even if the authorization named your company specifically.

Can a lawyer draft a scary cease and desist letter?

It doesn’t take a lot of money, or sound legal claims, to have a lawyer draft a scary letter, so don’t conclude from the letter that your former employer can do something to keep you from pursuing your new business.

What happens when you write a letter to an employer?

The company ignores it or uses the opportunity to (figuratively) poke a stick in your eye by writing a nasty letter back. 2. It’s Never Just a Letter. Rarely is it the case that an employer backs down after a single letter. The first letter is the opening salvo. Next, the company will respond, usually in writing, to your attorney.