Today’s Human Resources lesson involves document organization.

Regardless of the size of your company, you have employees that generate paperwork. Keeping this paperwork organized protects your company and prevents future headaches. Nothing can be simpler than creating folders for your important employee documents. Being organized can prevent you from suffering the troublesome and often expensive consequences associated with failing to maintain these documents correctly.

To get organized you should have three Employee files. First, create a Personnel file that includes only the documents that pertain to the employee’s job such as the employment application, resume, reference checks, etc. Second, create a Benefits file that includes all enrollment forms, beneficiary designation and disability forms, etc. Third, create an I-9 file that employees and employers must complete on the first day of employment to verify their legal U.S. work status. Give these items lots of thought because failing to correctly collect and maintain these forms can cause headaches and fines!