If you have an important document relating to a dispute with your employer- for example, a termination letter or a pay stub showing underpaid wages- please save that document. (You can read a more detailed post here about all the types of good documentation, and how to preserve it).

Sounds simple, right? But it’s easy to inadvertently misplace or throw away documents that could be used at a (much later) time after a legal proceeding has started. So put all important documents in a safe place.

Just as important, please do not write on the documents you save, or otherwise alter them.

Always keep in mind that important employment documents may later be used in legal proceedings. For example, if you want to use your termination letter as an exhibit at an unemployment hearing, you don’t want to show the judge a letter that has your added, handwritten notes across it, saying things like “This is a LIE!!!!” (I only exaggerate slightly- I’ve had clients who marked up documents with notes reflecting their frustrations in similar terms).

Bottom line: hold on to important documents, and don’t mess with them.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog is NOT legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship between you and Employee Rights Attorney Michael Brown or the law firm of Peterson, Berk & Cross. Legal advice often varies between situations. If you want legal advice for your specific circumstances, you must consult with an attorney.