Let's say you applied for a job, and you were terminated from a previous positon due to a "personality conflict" or a disagreement on the manager's "Management Style" with your last employer.

Will it ever come to a point ,OR have you ever had to explain to your new employer the situation you were in with your last employer?

Did you ever have "So, why didn't you get along with your last boss?" question asked of you?

Is there a reason to worry about being hired at the next job, when you didn't leave your last job in good standing?

Apparently, since my files are "Public Record", there could be a problem with written reprimands in that file.

What do you mean your files are public record? I wouldn't worry about explaining a situation at a previous employers until you have a new job offer on the table. Where there is a will there is a way. Your fears depend on the nature of what occured at another employers. please explain then more detail can be provided.

What do you mean your files are public record? I wouldn't worry about explaining a situation at a previous employers until you have a new job offer on the table. Where there is a will there is a way. Your fears depend on the nature of what occured at another employers. please explain then more detail can be provided.

Well, to explain that my files are public record in more detail. It is the policy of the organization ( this was explained to us at employee orientation )

That anyone, can walk off the street, ask for "Bill Smiths" personel file, and read everything in it, as long he's in the presence of HR. Meaning he can't take it away or anything. This kinda disturbed me, but I needed a job at the time.

That is a strange policy. Did they allow you to review your file? If not why??

I have a strong suspicion that you may have misinterpreted your company's policy on personnel file access. In FL employees and former employees or their representatives have the right to view and copy (at a fee if employer so desires) medical records as they pertain to the employee's exposure to toxic substances. Anything else is pretty much at the discretion of the employer. I find it odd that I could go to your employer and ask to see your personnel file. This is just not common practice. I'd suggest speaking with HR to confirm this policy. And if it is as you state, ask them why? HR should be able to explain this to you.

>>That is a strange policy.<<

That may be strange for the private sector, but is not at all uncommon in the public sector. Laws vary from state to state, but in many states a local or state government employee's personnel file is open to anyone who wants to see it.

I have a strong suspicion that you may have misinterpreted your company's policy on personnel file access. In FL employees and former employees or their representatives have the right to view and copy (at a fee if employer so desires) medical records as they pertain to the employee's exposure to toxic substances. Anything else is pretty much at the discretion of the employer. I find it odd that I could go to your employer and ask to see your personnel file. This is just not common practice. I'd suggest speaking with HR to confirm this policy. And if it is as you state, ask them why? HR should be able to explain this to you.


Well, this was told by one of the HR personel that during our orientation period that this would happen since our personel files are considered "Public Record".

Of course, she might be misinforming us to, and policy states something different. I found it hard to believe myself actually.

Here it says in the policy:

Public requests to examine one or more personnel files shall be granted within a reasonable time after request. The inspection wi ll take place in the HR office with a Dept rep present. Copies maybe requested upon the payment of a fee for duplication.

So there you go.....makes you feel secure, doesn't it?

Axed, are you, or are you not, employed by a public agency?

Axed, are you, or are you not, employed by a public agency?

I am currently unemployed

Okay then. :rolleyes:

WERE you employed by a public agency?

I'm not a dentist; I don't pull teeth.

Okay then. :rolleyes:

WERE you employed by a public agency?

I'm not a dentist; I don't pull teeth.


Sorry....Yes, I think I was employed by a public agency...it was a municipality.

Since employees of public agencies, and that includes municipalities, are paid by tax dollars, it is the right of the public to see how their taxes are being spent. That includes the right to view the personnel files of those people that their taxes are paying, since, in effect, they are your employers.

The same does not apply to employees of private employers since they are not paid from the public purse.