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In the state of California, every current employee, or his or her representative has the right to inspect and receive a copy of their personnel records, maintained by their employer.

There are eight employee-related HR documents that every personnel file must contain, which includes legal employment records such as payroll tax forms as well as employee-employer agreements.

EEOC Regulations require that employers keep all personnel or employment records for one year. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) recordkeeping requirements applicable to the EPA, employers must keep payroll records for at least three years.

Employers should keep all job-related documentation such as hiring records, performance reviews, disciplinary actions and job descriptions in an employee's general personnel file. Consider whether the document would be relevant to a supervisor who may review this file when making employment decisions.

Effective January 1, 2013, California law provides that current and former employees (or a representative) have the right to inspect and receive a copy of the personnel files and records that relate to the employee's performance or to any grievance concerning the employee.

Lawyers can also subpoena the contents of the personnel records for lawsuits and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints. A former employee can also request a copy of his or her personnel records. Best practice makes the personnel file only accessible by Human Resources staff members.

As an employee, do I have a right to see my personnel files? The short answer is 'yes'. You have a right to make a SAR to your employer, asking to see your personnel files, at any time. Your employer has the right to ask why you want to see your files, but must then provide all your records to you.

Current and former employees have a right to their personnel records under Labor Code section 1198.5. Under California Labor Code section 1198.5(a) provides that every current and former employee, or their representative, has the right to inspect and receive a copy of their personnel records.

In the state of California, every current employee, or his or her representative has the right to inspect and receive a copy of their personnel records, maintained by their employer.