Your right to view your personnel file
Employees have the right to view their own personnel files at work.
Under Chapter 91B of the Iowa Code, employees shall have access to and shall be permitted to obtain a copy of their personnel file as maintained by your employer.
So, if your employer uses performance evaluations to help determine your wage or salary, you have the right to see that evaluation.
If your employer disciplines you, you have a right to view your disciplinary record.
If there are other records that concern employer-employee relations, and the information could be used in a way that affects your working relationship with your employer, you have the right to have access to that information.
For example, you have the right to examine your attendance records and time cards if you are being disciplined for tardiness or excessive absenteeism.
This does not include the right to have access to employment references.
If you wish to view or copy any of the information you have the right to approach your employer and mutually agree to a time when access will be permitted.
A representative of the employer may be present when you review the personnel information.
An employer may charge an employee a nominal fee for copying information in the personnel file, not to exceed the equivalent amount charged per page by a commercial copying business.
In general, your employer has the right to share this information with a prospective employer so long as it is relevant to the inquiry being made and is provided in good faith.
For more information:
You may wish to speak to an attorney or refer to Iowa Code Section 91B yourself.
If you're unable to afford an attorney, you may be able to receive assistance from the Legal Services Corporation of Iowa at 1-800-532-1275.
If represented by a union, you may wish to contact your local union representative or steward for assistance.