By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would expand a current law that prohibits an employer from penalizing, in any way, an employee as a result of any action on the part of the employee to seek his or her rights under the Massachusetts wage laws which are designed to ensure that workers are fairly treated and paid for all the hours they work. The bill would provide the same protection to employees who ask their employers to provide the employee with any of his or her personnel records.

Under current law, an employer is required to notify an employee within 10 days of the employer placing in the employee’s personnel record any information to the extent that the information is, has been used or may be used, to negatively affect the employee’s qualification for employment, promotion, transfer, additional compensation or the possibility that the employee will be subject to disciplinary action. Once notified, the employee can request a copy of his or her records. The bill would prohibit the employer from penalizing an employee who does so.

Supporters said the bill will guarantee that an employee is not penalized for making a simple and reasonable request to see his or her personnel records.

Rep. Kenneth Gordon (D-Bedford), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to explain why he filed the bill and to comment on its passage.