Minnesota § 181.961 - REVIEW OF PERSONNEL RECORD BY EMPLOYEE
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 181.961 — REVIEW OF PERSONNEL RECORD BY EMPLOYEE, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 181.961. REVIEW OF PERSONNEL RECORD BY EMPLOYEE
Subdivision 1.Right to review; frequency.
Upon written request by an employee, the employer shall provide the employee with an opportunity to review the employee's personnel record. An employer is not required to provide an employee with an opportunity to review the employee's personnel record if the employee has reviewed the personnel record during the previous six months; except that, upon separation from employment, an employee may review the employee's personnel record once each year after separation for as long as the personnel record is maintained.
Subd. 2.Time; location; condition; copy.
(a) The employer shall comply with a written request pursuant to subdivision 1 no later than seven working days after receipt of the request if the personnel record is located in this state, or no later than 14 working days after receipt of the request if the personnel record is located outside this state.
(b) With respect to current employees, the personnel record or an accurate copy must be made available for review by the employee during the employer's normal hours of operation at the employee's place of employment or other reasonably nearby location, but need not be made available during the employee's working hours. The employer may require that the review be made in the presence of the employer or the employer's designee. After the review and upon the employee's written request, the employer shall provide a copy of the record to the employee.
(c) With respect to employees who are separated from employment, upon the employee's written request, the employer shall provide a copy of the personnel record to the employee. Providing a copy of the employee's personnel record to the employee satisfies the employer's responsibility to allow review as stated in subdivision 1.
(d) The employer may not charge a fee for the copy.
Subd. 3.Good faith.
The employer may deny the employee the right to review the employee's personnel record if the employee's request to review is not made in good faith. The burden of proof that the request to review is not made in good faith is on the employer.
Subd. 4.Employer defined.
For the purposes of this section, "employer" includes a person who has one or more employees.
History:
1989 c 349 s 2; 1992 c 445 s 1; 1994 c 595 s 2; 1997 c 180 s 3; 2004 c 137 s 2
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Source: official Minnesota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 181.961
What does Minnesota Statutes § 181.961 cover?
Section 181.961 ("REVIEW OF PERSONNEL RECORD BY EMPLOYEE") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 181.961?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 181.961" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 181.961 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.