Content: Especially in times of high unemployment, reference letters significantly influence the decision regarding the success or failure of an application. They can therefore be of crucial importance in professional life. Every single formulation and meaning matters. It is no coincidence that thousands of lawsuits regarding the issuance or correction of reference letters are filed annually in German labor courts. Therefore, every employee should know how to interpret their reference letter. This legal guide decodes the commonly used "secret language of reference letters." In the 9th edition of 2015: The new edition brings the book up to date. It comprehensively incorporates the case law of the Federal Labor Court and the regional labor courts regarding reference letters that has emerged since the previous edition.