PFRDA

Employees accessing/changing personnel files?

An employer is implementing a new information system which will allow employees to access/change their personnel files in an effort to cut down on human resource data entry personnel and entry errors. What are five potential risks in allowing employees to update the following personal information: Address, phone, marital status, tax information, pension plan contribution, etc. These risks can be positive or negative risks. Thanks

Public Comments

1. Positives- saves HR people time and resources, less paperwork for an employee to fill out, then someone else to correct any mistakes. You have to be careful what information can be changed, or viewed. You don't want salary information available in case someone hacks into the system. Pension plan contributions should be private. The huge negative is the privacy issue. HR people are trained to keep certain information confidential, and allowing open access will make that much more difficult. Another issue is training the employees on how to navigate through the new system. That will take time and focus away from their job duties.