If I requested a copy of the contract that was signed when I was hired with my former employer, are they obligated to give me a copy?

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If I requested a copy of the contract that was signed when I was hired with my former employer, are they obligated to give me a copy?

If so, how long do they have to send me a copy? I was terminated from my former job and I requested a copy of the original contract from my personal records. I was told that they do not have to give me a copy but I could look at it.

Asked on April 23, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Your employer is correct: as a general matter, they are not obligated to give you a copy of the contract, or of anything from your personnel file. The only way to get these documents would be if you believe you have grounds for a lawsuit (e.g. for employment discrimination; for being fired against what you remember the terms of an employment contract as being) and file a lawsuit; if you sue the company, there are legal mechanisms, called "discovery," which you could use to get the documents. Unfortunately, there mechanisms are only available in a lawsuit.


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