Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Federal law prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Must be considered when writing recommendation letters to avoid discriminatory language or references to protected characteristics.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Federal law protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Recommendation letters should not disclose any disability-related information without explicit consent.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): Federal law protecting individuals 40 years and older from age discrimination. Recommendation letters should avoid references to age or age-related characteristics.
State Defamation Laws: State-specific laws governing false statements that could harm someone's reputation. Recommendation letters must contain truthful, accurate information to avoid potential libel claims.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Federal law protecting student education records privacy. Relevant when the internship is connected to an educational institution and requires careful handling of student-related information.
State Privacy Laws: Various state-specific laws governing the protection and disclosure of personal information. Must be considered when sharing personal information in recommendation letters.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Federal law regulating the collection and use of consumer information, including employment recommendations when used for screening purposes. Relevant if the letter might be used for employment decisions.
Written Consent Requirement: Best practice requiring obtaining written permission from the intern before writing and sharing a recommendation letter to protect against privacy and liability issues.
