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<p>Which is why most large businesses won’t give letters of recommendation any more. All most will do is confirm the dates of employment. Some will also answer a question as to whether the employee was fired or left voluntarily. That’s it. </p>
<p>In some regulated industries, the law provides limited immunity for defamation claims. You have to be able to prove that any false statements were made with actual malice. That’s a very high standard and few people can meet it.</p>
<p>I really do NOT think students and parents ought to be able to see LORs. Sometimes, a GC will mention something that the college should know, e.g., that Sarah’s mom has a drinking problem and that problem has adversely affected Sarah. If Sarah’s mom is an alcoholic in denial, she’ll go beserk if she sees that and might even take it out on Sarah : “What did you say to your GC? I told you not to tell anyone that I got arrested for DUI. How dare you?”</p>
<p>If Sarah’s mom has never been arrested but really does have a drinking problem and the kid is coping with it, you do not want to be the GC who says S’s mom has a drinking problem and then run the risk that S’s mom will sue you for libel and you’ll have to prove that she does have a drinking problem. What are you going to do? Call Sarah to the witness stand and force her to admit that she broke down in the GC’s office and admitted that mom has a problem and it’s tearing the family apart?</p>