Job Reference Immunity Statutes
Employers who provide job references about current or former employees are protected by job reference immunity statutes. These resolutions mean to urge managers to give legitimate and exact work references unafraid of responsibility. These statutes protect employers from lawsuits brought by current or former employees alleging defamation or other legal claims related to the job reference if the references are provided in good faith.
State laws governing job reference immunity vary, but in general, the employer must provide the reference in good faith and without intent, and the information must be true and accurate. If the statements in the job reference are based on the employer’s personal knowledge, observations, or other credible sources, the employer is immune from liability for any statements, including negative ones. However, the employer may lose the immunity provided by the statute if they provide false information or make statements with malicious intent.
Statutes governing job reference immunity aid employers in making educated hiring decisions and advancing fair employment practices. When providing job references for current or former employees, employers should ensure that they adhere to the appropriate procedures and be aware of the job reference immunity statutes in their state. Employers can help reduce the risk of liability from disgruntled former employees and help ensure that the best candidates are selected for job openings by providing honest and accurate job references.