Since virtually all employment disputes relate in some way to
what documents are kept in an employee's personnel file, it is
crucial that employers properly maintain employee personnel files.
Of course, few employers enjoy dealing with paperwork, but taking
the time to properly create and maintain personnel files will pay
off in the long run.
Properly maintained personnel files allow the company to have
all important documents relating to each employee in one central
location that is easily accessible when it is time to make a
personnel decision or to comply with government audits. Moreover,
if you have to terminate a problem employee, maintaining the
appropriate documentation in the personnel file will protect you
from any frivolous claims brought by a terminated employee. This
weekly update serves to identify what should and should not be kept
in a personnel file, as well as how to properly maintain a
personnel file in today's litigious environment.
