California law provides employees (or their representative) with the right to inspect their employee records. Employees have the right to inspect and receive a copy of their personnel file. Employers must allow employees or former employees to inspect their personnel file within 30 days of their receipt of the request. Failure to allow the employee to inspect his/her personnel file within 30 days subjects the employer to a penalty of $750 (plus attorney’s fees). Because of an employee’s right to inspect his/her personnel file, employers are required to maintain a copy of each employee’s personnel records for a period of no less than three years after termination. Similarly, employees have a right to receipt copies of their wage statements (paystubs). An employer is obligated to produce an employee’s paystubs within 21 days of receipt of the request. Failure to comply with this deadline imposes an additional $750 penalty (plus attorney’s fees).
