Do you have to disclose employee payroll at request of newspaper Freedom of Information request?

Question

Local newspaper has invoked Freedom of Information Act to gain access to employee records including payroll, bonuses, etc. Is this exempt info?

Answer 1

If they are gov't employees, the answer is yes. Private industry it's no

Answer 2

It looks as though you MIGHT... but I'm not sure. I get the impression that the information needs to be a certain age (like over a year old) OR that you can delete certain information from the records before submitting them to the requesting agency to protect the individuals' privacy. I've placed a link below which has the full text of the Freedom of Information Act... I didn't get to read it all because I don't have the time... but it's definitely a start.

It sounds like the newspaper is bullying you into violating a person's right to privacy. Shame on them.

Answer 3

If it's a private corporation, then I doubt it.
The SEC requires public corporations to issue annual statements that contain certain financial information, but I don't think exact payroll info is part of the required info.
All government entities (local, state, and federal) probably ARE subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Answer 4

I would think payroll info woul be exempt. I thought the Freedom of Information Act only pertained to government documents, not private corporations. You can't just give out people's payroll info, what about identity theft.

Answer 5

I would think not! Freedom of information is filed when public monies are involved.

As a former public employee it was not uncommon to see my yearly salary along with others posted in a local newspaper upon being hired. It was often done as a press release.

While I am not a big fan of journalists, I do see that this is exactly the type of information that needs to be made public. Who is vulnerable to corruption? Poorly paid public servants. Who is overpaid? Why are we paying people? Public monies need transparency.

Answer 6

I don't know for certain but this sounds wrong. The FIA was passed to give the american public access to information held by the US government. Payroll is likely covered onder employee proveledge, much like medical records and legal council.

Answer 7

The answer is yes for State and Federal employees. Big no if you're a private company. EIther way, contact Legal Counsel.

Answer 8

Who cares. Even the police refused to reply fully to a BBC request relating to offences committed by serving officers. If the police break the law in respect of a request from the State radio & TV company, what chance does anyone else have?

Answer 9

The freedom of information act only applies to goverment agency`s so if you are a private company NO if you are a goverment agency ( city state etc..) than yes

Answer 10

Check with an attorney. I never heard of Freedom of Information being used for private businesses. FOI laws of that sort were intended to prevent secrecy of government agencies. Sounds bogus to me, but an attorney can sort it out fast.

Until a court of law, or your own attorney orders you to fork up that information, if you are a private company, simply don't give it to them.

If you are covered by FOI, they can get a court order, and if they don't come up with one, they were hoping you were stupid enough to fall for it.

Answer 11

Depends on whether your company of the information is subject to the FOIA.

I don't think private companies are subject to the act, but then I am no lawyer.