How to obtain your personnel file

Under the Bullard Plawecki Employee Right to Know Act, MCL 423.501, et seq. employees are entitled to review their personnel records, make copies of those records, and file written statements clarifying or protesting any documents contained in their file. An employer’s use and disclosure of employee records are regulated by this Act as well.

To obtain a copy of your file, request it from your Human Resources Department if you are still employed. Or, if you are no longer employed, write a letter to your former employer requesting a copy of your personnel file pursuant to the “Bullard Plawecki Right to Know Act”. Include with the letter your name and address so that your former employer can mail your personnel file to you.

Your former employer may charge you a fee per page to copy and supply you with your personnel file.

You only have 90 days from the time of your termination, demotion or change in employment status to file a Whistleblower’s Case – if you think you have one – contact an attorney immediately!

EEOC/MDCR Charges

If you have already filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, follow through with the investigator at every step of the investigation and make sure to tell us right away. Provide the investigator with the names and contact information of all persons who can support your case. Make sure your investigator understands what all of your claims are so your charge is completely and properly filled out.

If the investigation has been concluded, request a copy of your EEOC file and bring it to your meeting with Burgess & Sharp, PLLC

If you have not contacted the EEOC or MDCR, and believe that your rights have been violated in regard to age, sex, gender, disability, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, race, national origin, color, religion, retaliation or hostile environment, you have only 300 days from the date of the discriminatory event to make a complaint to the EEOC or 180 days to make a complaint to the MDCR. This means if you were denied a promotion, retaliated against, or terminated, for example, you must file a complaint within the time limit. You must make a complaint with one of these departments to protect your rights and to ensure that you can file a case in federal court, if you do not file a complaint timely, you will be precluded from filing a case in federal court.

To contact the EEOC call: 1-800-669-4000
Or to file a charge go here:  

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