Before leaving a job, an employee should ask for a favorable letter of reference. The letter should include the duration of employment, positions held in the company and that the job was done in a satisfactory and diligent way. The letter provides credibility when signed by a supervisor who worked with the employee. During the hiring process, a possible employer may ask for references. A potential employee may feel at ease about the job loss if they have a good reference.

Employers are not legally required to give a reference letter. Some states including Kansas, Missouri and Indiana, have serve letter acts. This act states that when termination occurs, upon request of a terminated employee, the employer should provide a letter that contains the nature of the employee’s job, length of employment and reason for termination.