I have a question about job references. What if Executives call other executives within a company for a reference about someone instead of HR? Is the Company liable for things that employees say to each other about former employees? In this company everyone knows everyone no matter what state you are in. It's a small world right? What if an employer asks about someone and the employees of the company say bad things or gossip about the former employee? Can the HR of the company be held accountable?