I hate having to write anything of this nature. Ordinarily, I would find this man a job in another company. This is currently not an option. I'm afraid this is the best I can manage. Thankfully, I convinced the company to allow me to do so (after all, he worked for free for a bit):
_________________________________
[Name]
[Firm]
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]
To whom it may concern:
I represent [Company], current employer of [person] until of 11/18/2011. The one and only reason [person] is no longer employed is due to [company]'s inability to make payroll and market difficulties. Unfortunately the demand for [company's product] has been severely reduced in this economy. If not for [company]'s financial difficulties, [person] would be employed. He is an asset to [company] and shall be sorely missed.
I have had the pleasure of knowing [person] and reviewed his company record. In 14 years, [person] has never once missed, or been late for, work. He has an exemplary work ethic. In fact, [person] even briefly performed services for company without pay in an attempt to stave off [company]'s bankruptcy. Unfortunately, certainly through no fault of [person], bankruptcy proved unavoidable. I wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and with no reservations, recommend [person], as he will throw himself fully into any task he undertakes for any company or organization so fortunate as to have him.
I would be delighted to discuss [person]'s perspective employment. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the above phone number or address(es) provided above at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
[Truean]
Attorney for [company]
[Atty registration number]
__________________________________
Fuck all. I'm supposed to be smarter than to let this happen. He is the main reason I could avoid filing for company's bankruptcy for about a month. He did not deserve this, yet nothing can be done about it.