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How long do employers (especially temp agencies/contract agencies) have to keep records of your employment?

I no longer temp but used to and can't believe I stayed in that industry so long. What a scam some of these guys have working... I worked for one agency for two years back in the mid-90s. Same job assignment even. (Yes, that was an incredibly foolish thing to, especially considering I did not like temping but that's another story.) I digress... Before I got my current job, my employer did a background check on me. The investigator actually called me up asking me if I could fax them a copy of my paycheck stub for proof that I worked there. The reason? The temp agency, Kelly Services - a major corporation- had purged my records. The investigator explained that it is very common for agencies to purge records after a few years...I got the job but only because one of my employees from the agency remembered me and verified this. But gees..How is that legal? Is this just a temp agency thing or another way of them telling the temps how much they really think of them?

Public Comments

1. I believe employers need to keep a copy of your record of employment for 7 years. They can be audited by not only Revenue Canada, but also by Employment Insurance. As far as I know, that is for anyone who employs anyone in Canada. Employers need to send an ROE (record of employment) copy to Service Canada for their records. You can also go to your local Service Canada and go thru them to try and get your ROE. (or see the link I provided) They can send a letter to the employer etc. If they still cant get it, they can search their own archives and see if the copy is still there. You have to usually provide a paystub for them to show you worked for that company etc. (if it is on a microfiche copy I think they keep it for 10 years at Archives) For more info call 1-800-206-7218 and hit 0 from Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30 (all this info was assuming you are in Canada, but the USA likely has something similar if you are there)