What’s In YOUR Personnel File? California Greatly Expands Employee Access and Creates Employer Penalties

In its first change to the state statute on inspection of personnel files since the law was enacted a dozen years ago, the California Legislature passed, and Governor Jerry Brown signed on September 30, a bill that significantly changes the rights of current and former California employees, and the obligations of employers, concerning employees’ personnel files. The bill, Assembly Bill (A.B.) 2674,1 becomes effective January 1, 2013.