Public Records Law: Personnel Records (Webinar On-Demand)

Most of the information in the personnel file of a city, county, state or other governmental employee is confidential and the records are not available for public inspection. But that short statement masks a web of complexity. The personnel records statutes do make some information public and it has always been tricky to figure out what information is public and what is not. It has been hard even to distinguish just exactly what information is really part of the personnel file and what is not. And it has been challenging to determine who has the right of access to otherwise confidential information. The difficulties multiplied beginning in 2010, moreover, when the General Assembly amended the statutes to open much more information to public view and imposed obligations to create new public information related to public employees. In this webinar, we will look at the current law, the questions it raises, and the best ways to address those questions. 

Specific topics will include:

• The concept of the personnel file
• Confidentiality rules that apply to personnel records
• Recent changes in laws governing public access to personnel record information
• The public agency’s obligation to provide access to the employee, tax collectors, and in response to court orders.
• Closed session minutes as personnel records
• Liability for unauthorized release of personnel record information

This webinar is one in a series of five on public records law. For information on the series, click here.