A recent article in the Globe and Mail reports that headhunters are having difficulty getting references for ex-employees from employers. Mark Reidl, the president of Acchuman, a Toronto-based executive search firm states, “I’ve been in the business for 16 years, doing background checks, and companies just aren’t giving references anymore. They don’t say anything and, if they do, they certainly aren’t looking to give me the goods.” Why do you think employers are reluctant to give references? Are there any legal reasons for not providing reference information? Are there any legal concerns with an employer not providing a reference for a former employee? Are there any legal concerns with a prospective employer asking the former employer for reference information?