Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA): Primary legislation governing the collection, use, disclosure and handling of personal data. Reference letters must comply with data protection requirements, obtain consent for sharing personal information, and ensure responsible handling of personal data.
Employment Act (Chapter 91): Key employment legislation requiring factual accuracy in employment details, preventing misrepresentation of job scope and responsibilities, and ensuring truthfulness about employment duration in reference letters.
Defamation Act (Chapter 75): Legal framework protecting against false statements. Reference letters must avoid defamatory statements, ensure all claims can be substantiated, and maintain objectivity in assessments.
Workplace Safety and Health Act: Legislation governing workplace safety considerations. When mentioning safety-related responsibilities or qualifications in reference letters, information must be accurate and verifiable.
Professional Code of Conduct: Industry-specific regulations and professional standards that may apply to reference letters, varying by sector and profession. Must maintain professional standards in descriptions and comply with industry-specific requirements.
Best Practices Guidelines: General guidelines for reference letters including maintaining objectivity, obtaining permissions, ensuring confidentiality, keeping records, and verifying accuracy of dates and positions.
