A Recent Amendment to the Massachusetts Personnel Files Statute Dramatically Affects How Massachusetts Employers Deal With Certain Personnel Records

The Massachusetts Legislature recently made some substantive changes to the Massachusetts Personnel Records Statute, M.G.L. c. 149, §52C. The little known changes, enacted on August 5, 2010, as part of Chapter 240 of the Acts of 2010, (which is entitled an “Act Relative to Economic Development Reorganization”) are effective immediately. Massachusetts employers are thus required to make immediate changes in their personnel file policies and practices.