Employers are hesitant to provide reference letters about former employees, feeling that if they provide any information other than clear factual information, ie.the length of employment or the last position held, they could be sued by the former employee for defamation if they did not get the job they were seeking. The lack of willingness to provide references makes it challenging for a potential employer to make an informed decision. What sort of defenses do former employers have to protect themselves if sued for defamation for comments made the former employer believes to be true?