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Personnel Files

Personnel files: What to keep, and where

02/01/2002

Q. What should we keep in personnel files? —G.T., Missouri

Don’t invite EEOC to fish through your files

01/01/2002
When dealing with the federal government, sometimes too much compliance can get you in trouble. What happened? When the Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission (EEOC) got a complaint about racial discrimination …

Sidestep liability when releasing information on ex-employees

01/01/2002
Wal-Mart fired truck driver Joseph Tracz after he tested positive for drugs. When he applied for another job, Tracz signed an authorization form allowing Wal-Mart to release his past drug tests. …

Evacuation plan? New guide helps you avoid ADA complaints

01/01/2002
If you’re revamping your workplace evacuation plans in the wake of Sept. 11, check out new guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The problem: In determining who …

Treat SSA ‘No Match’ Letters Separately From I-9 Issues

01/01/2002

It’s not unusual for employers to receive "no match" letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating there is a discrepancy …

Prepare for new injury, illness recordkeeping rules in 2002

12/01/2001
Get familiar now with new rules for tracking workplace injuries and illnesses that take effect Jan. 1, 2002. The new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations add and subtract …

Defend against being sued personally for your mistakes

12/01/2001
Issue: In addition to suing the organization, employees may go after you personally in court.
Risk: Certain federal employment laws allow employees to sue their individual managers and HR reps, …

Limit Employee Access to Personnel Files

08/01/2001

Q. I keep on file each employee’s application, résumé, performance evaluations and any other praise or disciplinary records. Do I need to provide my employees with access to their files? And, if so, do I have to show them everything? —S.K., New Hampshire

Be clear which company is the employer.

06/01/2001
Tri-Me Transportation was the company that paid Geri Heinemeier and the one she listed as her employer. When Heinemeier sued the company for sexual harassment, the judge ordered Tri-Me to …

Employee documents: When to store, when to shred

06/01/2001
There’s no sense in becoming a pack rat if you don’t need to. While the legal requirements to retain records are complex, you’re probably safe in dumping those 1984 vacation-day requests. …