Personell file?

Question

If you have to take short term disability, should copies of that be in your personell file at work?
What are employers required to keep in your personell file?
Also, am I within my rights to view my own file?

I'm definately having an issue with this.
I've got a copy of my personelle file and there is nothing in there about short term disability that I took last summer. There are slips missing for days that I've taken off. But my main concern is that there is NO mention of short term disability in there, and now my employer is reprimanding me over my attendance.

Should I take any action on this?

Answer 1

The company that I work for does not keep personal medical information in any personnel file and generally will not accept such information from any employee. This is a violation of each persons personal privacy and as mentioned already, having specific knowledge of such things could lead to discrimination lawsuits against the company.

My company has a 3rd party provider that verifies the illness of associates by receiving specific information from physicians directly. That company will then advise HR of the validity of the illness, no details, and provide a return to work date. Copies of the certification are kept in the personnel file, but that is all. Your HRO should not expect you to tell them your medical history, nor should you be willing to provide them that information.

The leave slips and doctor's notes should be kept with your facility time sheets, not in your personnel folder. And yes, you certainly have a right to view your own folder.

Answer 2

Yes, that paperwork or a copy would and should be kept in your file, and yes, you have every right to see your file. They should keep information on your like time off (vacation, sick and personal, including disability leave etc.), any notices or warnings given to you, any complaints you've made, hire date, job description, pay, benefits, things like that.

Are you having an issue with this?

Answer 3

first check your spelling. the fact that you took st diability might be in your file but the reasons should be kept confidential under hippa. employers keep info in the files at some risk as the files are discoverable in litigation and they sometimes contain info that is discriminatory. some states such as pa permit employees to review their files and some states do not