We checked 15 claims in this article against recordkeeping and pay-stub research. All 15 verified. Lab. Code §1198.5 is not used; California access claims are limited to the researched §226(c)/(f) payroll-inspection rules. No unsupported state personnel-file statutes appear.
5 claims
Clock often starts the day of the request, including verbal requests in California
Research: §226(c) covers written or oral requests; 21-day clock.
California §226(c)/(f) — current or former employees; 21 calendar days; $750 penalty
Research California inspection section and quotes.
Washington SHB 1308 (effective July 27, 2025) — former employees within 3 years; personnel file includes payroll records and employment agreements; 21 days; $250/$500/$1,000 graduated + $500 catch-all
Research "Recent changes" SHB 1308 bullet; also referenced in pay-stub research recent changes.
Colorado up to $250 per employee per month, $7,500 cap under C.R.S. §8-4-103(4.5)
Research quick reference and state table.
California practical retention 4 years for UCL; NY/NJ/HI 6 years
Research CA UCL and six-year states sections.
2 claims
FLSA requires keeping wage/hour records (3 years payroll / 2 years time cards) and 72-hour DOL production for central records — not a general employee personnel-file delivery mandate
Research federal floor §§516.5–.7; FAQ on pay stubs / employee delivery.
IRS 4 years; ERISA 6 years from filing date
Research layered federal retention table.
2 claims
EEOC 29 CFR §1602.14 — 1 year personnel records; extends during a charge until final disposition
Research EEOC personnel records section quoted.
FLSA payroll 3 years / time cards 2 years; practitioner keep time cards 3 years
Research §§516.5–.6 and practitioner standard matching willful SOL.
2 claims
Work location controls multi-state retention and inspection overlays
Research multi-state section.
Litigation hold / spoliation risk after demand, DOL notice, or EEOC charge
Research mistake #5 and FAQ on litigation hold / Zubulake / FRCP 37(e).
1 claim
California $750 is per request failure, not per pay period
Research "Things employers consistently miss" — flat $750 per failure.
1 claim
Missing employer records can flip burden under Mt. Clemens
Research Anderson v. Mt. Clemens discussion.
1 claim
Operational include/exclude lists (payroll, time cards, agreements; exclude other employees, privileged, medical dump, security secrets) are operational guidance, not new statutes
Payroll/time inclusion grounded in Part 516 and WA file definition; exclusions framed as operational privacy/privilege practice without inventing access statutes.
1 claim
Article does not assert California Lab. Code §1198.5
§1198.5 not present in research; article correctly limits CA claims to §226(c)/(f) payroll inspection.
5 unique sources cited across the report — click to audit any claim directly against its evidence.
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