In everyday practice, however, that rule generates paper – lots of it. From applications and wage and hour records to benefits paperwork and progressive discipline paper trails, the average HR office is bursting with thousands - even millions - of pieces of paper. The advent of electronic recordkeeping has only made matters more confusing, as employers try to figure out the rules for maintaining and protecting e-records as well as hard copies. And, if you shred, delete, or lose the wrong file at the wrong time, you could find yourself vulnerable in a number of unpleasant ways.

Order this audio conference recording, when our experts will explain the legal do's and don’ts of collecting, storing, and disposing of paper and electronic HR files. You’ll learn what forms and records should be kept in each worker’s file – and how long you should keep those items. Our speakers (two experienced employment attorneys who regularly advise clients on these issues) will give you practical tips for reviewing your HR files on a regular schedule and keeping them organized and up to date.

You and your colleagues will learn:

• The records you must collect and maintain throughout each worker’s employment history – and how long you need to hang onto them
• How to handle sensitive HR information – such as medical records or the new I-9 forms – that may require special handling
• The legal pros and cons of storing HR documents electronically (and the best methods for keeping these files safe and secure)
• Which records you must be prepared to produce if you’re hit with claims from disgruntled or terminated workers, from ADA and FMLA complaints to discrimination and harassment lawsuits
• Your obligations when employees, supervisors, attorneys, or government officials ask to see your HR files
• How to train your supervisors to document correctly (and which notes or records they should be allowed to keep in their own files)
• Best practices for reviewing and culling your HR files, including a timetable for how long you should retain common types of HR documents
• How to determine when it’s safe to scan a document and trash the paper original
• The safest ways to get rid of paper and electronic HR records that you no longer need (and the questions to ask yourself before you shred or delete those records)

Thomas C. Wigand, SPHR, Esq., is an accomplished management-side employment and labor attorney and human resources professional whose practice focuses on proactive labor and employment law. In addition to his legal experience, he has also served as part of the umbrella management team for a group of auto retailers. He is currently writing a LexisNexis guide to labor and employment law in Rhode Island, and he holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification. Wigand received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University.

Approved for Recertification Credit

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR, SPHR, and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI home page at www.hrci.org.

Questions? Speak with a customer service representative.