Yes, but with some limits. 

Current employee? You can see your personnel file twice a year.

Former employee? You can see your personnel file up to one year after leaving.

What Type of Records Can I See?

You can see any records that are used to determine your qualifications for employment, promotion, transfer, pay raise, discharge or discipline.

Yes, some documents are not part of this law including:

• Letters of reference or external peer review documents for academic employees of institutions of higher education.
• Any part of a test document, but you can see the total test score.
• Materials about your employer’s staff planning if the materials are about more than one employee. Unless the materials are to be used to determine your qualifications for employment, promotion, transfer, pay raise, discharge or discipline.
• Personnel information about other employees.
• Records relevant to any other pending claims between you and your employer that can be discovered in litigation.
• Investigation or security records used to investigate criminal conduct, unless your employer takes adverse personnel action based on information in those records.

You should ask for your records in writing. On the last page is a sample letter you can copy and use.

Your employer can make you use a specific form.

Your employer must allow you to see the documents within 7 business days of the request. Employers can take another 7 days if they have a good reason why they cannot meet the first deadline.

Yes. You are allowed to keep a copy of some or all of your file. Your employer can charge a fee for copying, but no more than the actual cost of copying the files.

You can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor.

But first, think about if you could make the request to someone else. For example, if you first asked your supervisor, you may want to ask your employer’s human resources department before you file a complaint.

No. The Personnel Records Review Act does not require your employer to create a file. If your employer does not have a file, then you have no right to review your personnel records. Though, in reality, most employers have personnel files.

If you disagree with any information in the file, you can ask your employer to take it out or correct it. If that does not work, you can write a statement telling your side. Your employer must attach your statement to the part of your record that you do not agree with.

To learn more, see the Illinois Department of Labor Personnel Records Review Act FAQ.