Get Request Personnel File Review Form

EEOC Regulations require that employers keep all personnel or employment records for one year. If an employee is involuntarily terminated, his/her personnel records must be retained for one year from the date of termination.

You can request your personnel file from a former employer by contacting them, often in writing, and demanding access to the file. Employers are legally required to maintain records about your time at work. You generally have a right to review these records.

Personnel files are for all records relating to an employee's employment. Texas employers are not legally required to let employees view the contents of the personnel file. Exception: public employees may request copies of their personnel file documents under the Public Information Act.

The short answer is that federal law does not require private-sector employers to give employees access to their personnel files — but many states do.

An employee's personnel file usually contains information related to their performance, salary, and any investigations of misconduct or medical issues. As a result, these records are generally considered private and can be accessed by only the employer and the employee.

In California, employees have a legal right to review and copy their personnel files. Employees and employers have a stake in fair workplace practices. Human resources professionals and managers should view employee requests to review their personnel files as a chance to fulfill the promise of their open door policies.

(Contact at Human Resources Department): I am writing to request a complete copy of my employment records maintained by (employer's name), including my medical file, pursuant to the Personnel Records Review Act (820 ILCS 40/0.01 et seq.). Please provide these documents or a written response within seven business days.

You can request your personnel file from a former employer by contacting them, often in writing, and demanding access to the file. Employers are legally required to maintain records about your time at work. You generally have a right to review these records.