This is true, but I thought it was a state law, not a federal one. You can only comment on things that can be backed up by documentation (hours worked, on-time, reliable, et al). Anything negative and the person can sue you and will definitely win unless it is backed up by countless times of counseling and documentation and even then companies won't risk it.

It is sad because nowadays companies will not say anything - not even anything good no matter how good you were. They will only verify dates of employment and job title (had the wrong thing written before).


>>>>If some firm asked you your opinion about me and you'd give it (either negative or positive), without my approval or request for being a reference, I'd have bad feelings about it.
>>>
>>>Negative comments are illegal in the USA and Canada as far as I know.
>>
>>Huh? Is this irony or is it a serious remark?
>
>Serious. It is against the law to make a negative comment about a former employee (or even current employee) when asked about this employee's performance or character. Both in Canada and the USA.