You should create a personnel record for each person you hire, and retain application materials from those who you don't hire. These records can help establish that an employment action you took was appropriate. If you have 15 or more employees, federal antidiscrimination laws require you to keep records of all applicants, hired or not.

• Information to keep. The documents you should create and keep as you perform reference and background checks.
• Preserving recruiting records. Guidelines on how long to keep the records generated during the recruiting and hiring process.
• Disclosure Requirements. The rules regarding who is allowed access to the information you collect about employees.

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