Access to Personnel Files
Recently, the Massachusetts Legislature made an amendment to the personnel Records Statute, G.L. c. 149, S 52C. The amendment requires an employer to notify an employee within ten days of placing any information in the employee’s personnel record that is, has been, or may be used to negatively affect the employee’s qualification for employment, promotion, transfer, or additional compensation or the possibility that the employee will be subject to disciplinary action. Examples include but are not limited to performance evaluations, performance improvement plans, notes from coaching sessions, written documentation of verbal counseling or warnings, written warnings or final written warnings.
WPI would like to expand on what is required by law to encourage employees to share positive items for their personnel files, such as written thank you notes, kudos, or notes on positive counseling. Please feel free to send these to the Office of Human Resources in hard copy form via campus mail or by email.
Per the amendment, employees have the right of access to their personnel files twice per year, unless a request is made as a result of receiving notice of negative information placed in the personnel record. If the employee disagrees with any information contained in the record, removal or correction of information may be mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee. If an agreement is not reached, the employee may submit a written statement explaining his/her position and the explanation will become a part of the personnel record.
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Last modified: March 18, 2011 10:00:50