Have you ever found yourself in the awkward position of having someone you know ask if they can put you down as a reference for a job they're applying for?

Get our free mobile app

I've had that situation happen several times.

One of the times involved someone I thought wouldn't be able to do what the job required. I was worried about them getting hired and doing poorly and it looking bad on me for vouching for them.

Credit: eric prouzet via unsplash
Credit: eric prouzet via unsplash
loading...

Another time I had a former boss who was toxic and made life a living hell for me and my coworkers.

I know people can change but I couldn't in good conscience recommend them for a job and expose other people to that kind of work environment.

Boss
iStock
loading...

I was talking about this with someone the other day and they told me they thought it was against the law to not recommend someone for a job. Here is what I found out.

Is it breaking the law in Michigan to not recommend someone for a job?

Credit: Canva
Credit: Canva
loading...

Recommendations are generally considered to be expressions of personal opinions or subjective assessments of an individual's abilities, skills, or character.

Employers and employees are free to offer or withhold their recommendations as they see fit, so long as they do not engage in discriminatory or retaliatory conduct.

Credit: Canva
Credit: Canva
loading...

The law in Michigan prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of certain protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, and disability.

Credit: Canva
Credit: Canva
loading...

This means that employers cannot make employment decisions, including the decision to provide or withhold a recommendation, based on any of these factors.

For example, if an employer decides not to recommend someone for a job because of their race, this would be a violation of the anti-discrimination laws in Michigan.

Is It Against Michigan Law To Give A False Or Misleading Recommendation?

If an individual provides a false or misleading recommendation, they may be liable for defamation or other legal claims.

Credit: Canva
Credit: Canva
loading...

Additionally, if an individual provides a recommendation that is based on confidential or privileged information, they may be in breach of their duty of confidentiality or trust.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
loading...

The bottom line is while it is not illegal in Michigan to not recommend someone for a job, employers and employees should be careful of the potential legal implications of their recommendations.

Grand Rapids Needs These Popular Restaurants And Businesses in 2023

These are the top restaurants and businesses people in Grand Rapids would like to see open up in 2023.

These 10 Rejected Michigan License Plates Are Hilarious

The state of Michigan released a list of banned vanity plate requests.
There are over 21,000 personalized plates that have been banned by the Michigan Department of State for being dirty, graphic, or hateful. These are some of them.

10 Old School Grand Rapids Menus Reveal How Cheap Eating Out Was Back In The Day

Check out these 10 old-school Grand Rapids menus that reveal how cheap eating out was back in the day.

More From 100.7 WITL