Privacy of Personnel Records

Personnel files are maintained on all Bethel employees. Bethel respects the confidentiality of your personnel information and it is our intention to release information from your file only in accordance with the following guidelines.

Your personnel file is available for review once every six months upon written request to the Office of the Provost. Official personnel records contain only job-related information that falls into the following general categories:

1. Information that you included on your employment application and/or resume, along with employment eligibility verification such as transcripts, and correspondence related to your initial appointment.
2. Information on job changes you have made at Bethel.
3. Reviews for reappointment, promotion, and tenure.
4. Information related to your compensation, including annual contracts.
5. All job-related letters and memos of which you should have knowledge.

Materials containing letters of reference and evaluation are considered confidential, and are not available for review.

If you dispute specific information contained in your personnel file, we will attempt to reach an agreement with you regarding that information. If an agreement cannot be reached, you have the right to submit a written statement for inclusion in your file explaining your position on the disputed information. Contact the Office of People and Culture for additional information. 

The Associate Provost for each school maintains the personnel files for that school. Separate files contain correspondence related to initial appointment; correspondence related to reappointment, tenure, and promotion; and course evaluations.

In response to external inquiries, the Office of People and Culture will verify dates of employment and job titles, but will provide no other information to anyone without your written authorization unless required by statute or an appropriate court order, summons, subpoena, or search warrant. Only documented, job-related information will be used as reference data. If you want salary information released to a creditor or other party, submit a written request to the Office of People and Culture.

If you receive an external inquiry about a current or former employee, do not provide any information. Direct the inquiry to Office of People and Culture.

Questions about the release of information to the media for public relations purposes should be directed to the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Office of the Provost