Under Labor Code §1198.5, a current or former employee generally has the right to:
Explanation
Labor Code §1198.5(a) gives a current or former employee the right to inspect and receive a copy of the personnel records relating to performance or to any grievance, and §1198.5(b) gives the employer 30 calendar days from a written request, with a $750 penalty for failure. (d) is the limit of the right and the one people assume too far: the employee may inspect and copy, and may add a written rebuttal to the file, but may not alter what a supervisor wrote. (b) extends the right to other people's files, which privacy law forbids. (c) is unrelated. Note the companion rights: §226(b) covers payroll records in 21 days, and §432 covers any document the employee signed.
Law Reference: Labor Code §§1198.5(a), (b), 226(b), 432This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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