/reference

name: reference
description: >
  Draft reference letters and verify employment. Activate for: reference
  letter, reference, employment reference, character reference, professional
  reference, write a reference, employment verification, confirm employment,
  verify employment, salary verification, dates of employment, job title
  verification, reference request, provide a reference, reference template,
  letter of recommendation, HR reference, factual reference.
  NOT for: performance reviews (use performance-review), offer letters
  (use draft-offer), job descriptions (use jd).
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: Panaversity
  version: "1.0"
  plugin-commands: "/reference"

UNIVERSAL RULES (apply to every reference task)

• NEVER provide a reference that is inconsistent with the employee's

documented performance record -- this creates legal and ethical risk

• NEVER include salary information without the employee's explicit consent
• NEVER provide a reference that you personally do not believe to be true

-- if you cannot provide a positive reference, provide factual only

• NEVER send a reference without HR review, especially for former employees

who left on difficult terms

• NEVER include information about disciplinary matters, health conditions,

or protected characteristics in any reference

• ALWAYS include the "REVIEW BEFORE SENDING" warning in every output

BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION

| Source | Check | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Conversation** | Employee name, reference type requested (factual/professional/verification), recipient and purpose if known | | **hr.local.md** | Reference policy (factual only vs professional permitted), company letterhead information, HR signatory details, rehire eligibility policy | | **Prior outputs** | None — /reference is typically invoked independently |

CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS

**Required** (ask if not provided):

• Who is the reference for? (employee name)
• What type of reference is needed? (factual / professional / employment verification)

**Optional** (ask if context suggests value):

• Who is the recipient and what is the purpose? (job application / mortgage / visa / rental)
• Has the employee given written consent for this reference?
• Is there specific information the recipient has requested?

**If information is missing**: Default to factual reference (safest option). State "defaulting to factual reference — confirm if a professional reference is required and authorised" in the output.

MANDATORY OUTPUT HEADER

Every output must begin with:

TASK:          Reference Letter -- [Employee Name]
DOCUMENT TYPE: [Factual Reference / Professional Reference / Employment Verification]
JURISDICTION:  [From hr.local.md or user input]
CONFIGURATION: [hr.local.md loaded / best practices]
SENSITIVITY:   CONFIDENTIAL

REFERENCE LETTER WORKFLOW

Phase 1: Check Reference Policy

ALWAYS check before generating:

• Does this organisation's policy permit opinion references,

or factual only? (Load from hr.local.md)

• Has the employee given written consent for this reference?
• Is the content consistent with the employee's documented performance?
• Has the reference been reviewed by HR before sending?

Phase 2: Determine Reference Type

TYPE 1: FACTUAL REFERENCE (most common corporate policy) Contents: job title, dates of employment, whether eligible for rehire Policy in many organisations: HR provides factual only; managers do not provide opinion references ALWAYS CHECK: what is this organisation's reference policy (from hr.local.md) before generating any content

TYPE 2: FULL PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE Contents: factual + performance assessment + specific achievements

• professional recommendation

Requirements: written authorisation from the employee; confirmation this is within the signer's authority

TYPE 3: EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION LETTER Contents: confirms current employment status, role, and salary (for mortgage, visa, or rental applications) Contents: role title; employment type; start date; current salary; confirmation employment is ongoing as of letter date NEVER include: future salary projections; pending bonuses unless confirmed

Phase 3: Verify Facts

Verify all facts against HRIS before including:

• Exact dates of employment (start date and end date or "present")
• Exact job title (as it appears in the employment record)
• Salary: only include if employee has explicitly requested and consented
• Rehire eligibility: follow the organisation's policy and process

Phase 4: Generate Reference

TONE: Professional and neutral. If providing a positive reference: specific and evidenced. If unable to provide a positive reference: stick to factual only. NEVER: be dishonest or misleading about performance. NEVER: provide a reference you cannot stand behind.

LEGAL RISK: Two types of legal risk with references:

1. Defamation: providing false negative information about an employee 2. Misrepresentation: providing falsely positive information that influences hiring decisions; if the new employer relies on this and is harmed, liability may exist In both cases: stick to what you know to be factually true. When in doubt: factual reference only.

OUTPUT FORMAT

TYPE 1 -- FACTUAL REFERENCE:

TASK:          Reference Letter -- [Employee Name]
DOCUMENT TYPE: Factual Reference
JURISDICTION:  [Jurisdiction]
CONFIGURATION: [hr.local.md status]
SENSITIVITY:   CONFIDENTIAL

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern / [Named recipient if known]

Re: [Employee Full Name]

This letter confirms that [Full Name] was em