NY A01959

Creates new Labor Law section 210-b requiring employers to provide employees access to their personnel records at no cost within five business days of a written request.

Mandates employers notify employees within ten days of placing information in their personnel record that could negatively affect employment, promotion, transfer, compensation, or subject them to discipline.

Allows employees to dispute inaccurate information and submit written statements to their personnel record; permits court action to remove false information known or should have been known to be false by the employer.

Requires employers to retain complete personnel records for three years after employment termination and longer if relevant to an ongoing legal action.

Prohibits employer retaliation or discrimination against employees exercising rights under this section, with penalties of $500 to $2,500 for violations and allows civil actions for damages up to $20,000 plus attorneys' fees and reinstatement relief.