Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA): Singapore's primary data protection legislation that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. In reference letters, ensures proper handling of personal information, requires consent for sharing, and restricts unauthorized disclosure.
Employment Act: Singapore's main employment law that provides guidance on employment-related matters including reference letters. Ensures factual accuracy of employment details and prevents misrepresentation of employment history.
Defamation Act: Legislation that protects against false or malicious statements in written form. For reference letters, ensures statements are truthful, can be substantiated, and balances between honest opinion and potential defamation.
Contract Law (Common Law): Legal framework ensuring statements are made in good faith, maintaining professional standards and duty of care, and preventing negligent misstatement in professional recommendations.
Consent Requirement: Best practice requirement to obtain explicit consent from the employee before writing and sharing a reference letter.
Confidentiality Obligation: Professional obligation to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information while providing necessary details in the reference letter.
Record Retention: Best practice requirement to maintain copies of reference letters for record-keeping and potential future reference.
Disclaimer Usage: Recommended practice to include appropriate disclaimers in reference letters to limit liability while maintaining professional standards.
