Resources

Personnel files are the employer’s record of your employment, and the documents that employers collect can negatively or positively affect you and your future employment.  Federal law does not require employers to grant access to personnel files, but some states have laws which do provide for access. While other documents may not be part of your official personnel file, it is best to personally keep track of as many files as you are given, such as the documents you’re given when you’re hired, the company’s employee handbook, your reviews and disciplinary documents, and any other documents that you have signed or received from the employer. By doing this, you will have some of the original paperwork and you do not have to ask your employer about these documents, as some employers either deny access entirely, do not allow employees to make copies, or require employees to pay for copying any document they take from their personnel files. For more information about personnel files, please see below:

Parts of this page has been adapted from Job Rights and Survival Strategies by Paul H. Tobias and Susan Sauter.