Requesting to see your own employee records?

TestTest

My company has a yearly review process of all employees above a certain level, where senior management classify and review everyone with a view to pay rises, promotions, redundancies, talent protection, etc. I think this is a pretty normal process.

Am I allowed to request a copy of any documentation used about me? I know that part of the process would be my manager completing a particular ratings form which would then go into the decision-making, and I assume that therefore it would be something that I'm entitled to see (which definitely isn't their usual policy).

Am I right that i'm entitled to see it? And am I right to suspect that asking to see it is something that my manager/etc would be told about by HR, therefore potentially marking me out as a trouble-maker?

Thanks

El_Rey

Under the Freedom Of Information Act, you have a right to see what information is held about you, but you may have to pay a fee of £10 for this information.

Anihilator

TestTest wrote: »

My company has a yearly review process of all employees above a certain level, where senior management classify and review everyone with a view to pay rises, promotions, redundancies, talent protection, etc. I think this is a pretty normal process.

Am I allowed to request a copy of any documentation used about me? I know that part of the process would be my manager completing a particular ratings form which would then go into the decision-making, and I assume that therefore it would be something that I'm entitled to see (which definitely isn't their usual policy).

Am I right that i'm entitled to see it? And am I right to suspect that asking to see it is something that my manager/etc would be told about by HR, therefore potentially marking me out as a trouble-maker?

Thanks

Firstly it is the Data protection act. Not the FOI act.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/data_protection/practical_application/quick_guide_to_employment_practices_code.pdf

LittleVoice

Ratings, as they are opinions, may not be covered so they may not have to be disclosed.

Vader123

LittleVoice wrote: »

Ratings, as they are opinions, may not be covered so they may not have to be disclosed.

This is correct.

If you request your file they can remove anything opionated and show you just the facts.

Vader

caeler

I think I disagree with opinions being removed. All data held about you must be disclosed its only third party information that should be removed. Thats why I'm forever telling my managers that interview notes should not contain anything you don't want the candidate to see.

If there is no policy for obtaining your data, I'd put your request in writing. If my memory serves the DPA allows for a fee to be applicable but usually only charged if costs are actually incurred like if you wanted the whole file copied but if you just want to view it there shouldn't be. I think there is also a timeframe of when data should be made available, 40 days I think.

LittleVoice

bluefuzzybug wrote: »

If my memory serves the DPA allows for a fee to be applicable but usually only charged if costs are actually incurred like if you wanted the whole file copied but if you just want to view it there shouldn't be.

The fee is a maximum of £10 but there is no need to justify it on grounds of cost. The fee of £10 could be requested even if the cost of providing access was 50p.

Employers very often allow free access (but they don't have to do so). If someone asks frequently then they are more likely to start asking for the fee to be paid.

(There are different fees for health and educational records but the general thing is £10 max.)