We are pleased to present the latest edition of our newsletter. In this issue, we focus on letters of recommendation from a labour law perspective across the ILLN member states, including most European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Such documents play an important role at the end of the employment relationship, influencing employees’ future career opportunities and reflecting the employer’s assessment of their performance and conduct.

Although the legal framework, terminology, and employer obligations vary between jurisdictions, letters of recommendation generally serve to provide a fair and accurate account of an employee’s role, duties, and performance, while balancing the interests of both parties.

In many European countries, the issuance and content of such documents are regulated by statutory provisions, case law, or established practice, often giving rise to specific requirements as to their form, wording, and level of detail.

This newsletter provides a comparative overview of how letters of recommendation are regulated and used in selected ILLN jurisdictions. It examines, among other issues, whether employers are required to issue them, the scope of information to be included, employees’ rights to request amendments, and potential liability arising from their content.

This cross-jurisdictional perspective highlights both shared principles and key differences in approaches to employment references across Europe.

We hope you will enjoy reading this MAR 2026 release.