Employee personnel files are repositories for all kinds of information, from background checks and job applications to performance reviews, warnings and other disciplinary write-ups, productivity records, tax forms, pay history, and more. Given how much can end up in a personnel file, it's surprising there aren't more rules on keeping these records private. Generally speaking, however, few laws regulate the privacy of personnel records, except for medical information.
The law does dictate whether, when, and how often, employees may view their own personnel files, however. You'll find information on those rules -- as well as privacy issues -- in this section.
Breach of Confidentiality of Personnel Records
How private is your personnel file?
Pre-Employment Physicals and Medical Tests
Find out whether an employer can require you to take a medical exam -- and what it can do with the results.
Employee Rights to Access Personnel Records
Some states give employees the right to see what's in their personnel files.