How long must personnel records be kept after termination of employment?

The requirement for how long personnel records must be kept after termination of employment typically stems from various labor laws and regulations. In many states, including Missouri, the general guideline is to retain personnel records for at least one year after an employee has left the organization. This timeframe is often established to ensure compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations, which stipulate that employers must keep certain personnel and employment records for at least that duration.

The one-year retention period allows employers to address potential claims or inquiries related to employment decisions, including discrimination or wrongful termination claims, ensuring that adequate documentation is available to support the organization's decisions if needed. By retaining these records for this specified period, employers can facilitate any necessary investigations or legal requirements that may arise post-termination.

Other options such as three, five, or seven years may be applicable under different circumstances or under other regulations, but the one-year requirement is a baseline that applies broadly across various employment contexts.