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How long do employment applications need to be kept in Illinois before they can be shredded?

How long do employment applications need to be kept in Illinois before they can be shredded?

Q: How long should a company keep employment applications?

A company should keep employment applications for at least 90 days, but many retain them for one year or longer. The exact retention period can depend on the company's policy and any relevant legal obligations. Regularly reviewing and updating retention policies is advisable.

Q: Is it illegal to throw away job applications?

It is not illegal to dispose of job applications, but employers must ensure they comply with any applicable retention laws before doing so. For instance, if an application is part of a hiring process that is still active, it should be retained until the process concludes.

Q: What are the retention requirements for records in Illinois?

In Illinois, retention requirements for employment records can vary by type of record. Generally, employers should retain employee records for at least three years after the employee's termination. However, specific retention periods may apply to different types of records, so it's important to consult relevant regulations.

Q: What employee records need to be kept for 7 years?

In Illinois, certain employee records, such as payroll records and tax documents, should be kept for at least seven years. This retention period helps ensure compliance with tax laws and other regulations. Employers should review their record-keeping policies to meet legal requirements.

Full question:

How long do employment applications need to be kept in the state of Illinois before they can be shredded? Does it make a difference if you are an employment agency?

Category: Employment
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Illinois

Answer:

Retention of records policies vary by entity. For example, one Illinois library retains employment applications for 90 days, another employers retains them for one year.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

How long do companies keep job applications on file?

Companies typically keep job applications on file for varying lengths of time, often ranging from 90 days to one year. The specific duration can depend on the company's internal policies and any applicable laws. It's important for employers to establish a clear retention policy that complies with legal requirements.