Recordkeeping Policies: How Long Is Too Long?

Yesterday we examined a recordkeeping issue specific to potential adverse impact claims under Title VII. Today, I want to cast the net a little wider and look at how long you need to keep a variety of documents related to your employees.

A few important points:

1. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive. It merely provides a snapshot of how long you need to keep some of your key documents.

2. Mileage will vary from state to state. For example, I suggest keeping certain records for 6 years because Ohio’s statute of limitation for statutory discrimination claims is six years. If your state has  shorter filing period, then some of your recordkeeping obligations may be shorter.

3. If you don’t have a document-retention policy, you should. If you don’t have a guideline for how long to keep certain documents, then your employees have no idea when to destroy. They may keep documents too long, or may destroy them too soon, each of which has potentially disastrous implications in litigation. If you hold too long, then you may have to produce documents that you should no longer have, and if you destroy too soon you may open yourself up to liability for spoliation (destruction) of evidence or other sanctions.

4. Check with employment counsel on numbers 1, 2, and 3. It’s bad idea to try to manage these issues without some legal input.

Without further delay, here’s the list: