Source: https://opinions.attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/1995/01/25/95-ib03-sworn-payroll-information-29-del-c-10002/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 15:03:49+00:00

Document:
You have asked which portions of the payroll reports required under 29 Del. C. § 6912(c) are subject to public inspection and copying under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act, 29 Del. C. Ch. 100 (“FOIA”). For the reasons which follow, we conclude that the documents required under § 6912(c) to be filed with the Department of Labor by state agencies are public records with the exception of employee Social Security numbers. Twenty-nine Del. C. § 6912(c) specifically provides that each public construction project contract shall contain a stipulation that the sworn payroll information shall be submitted weekly to the Department of Labor. The information required by the Department of Labor includes the name, address and Social Security number of each employee working on the public project, the employee’s work classification, total hours worked, rate of pay, gross amount earned, payroll deductions, types of fringe benefits provided and the cost of those fringe benefits.
provide the public with access to public records which will enable citizens to observe and monitor state government. 29 Del. C. § 10001. Public records are defined in 29 Del. C. § 10002(d) as information of any kind relating to public business which is stored, recorded or reproduced. Further, public records must be “open to inspection and copying by any citizen of the State.” 29 Del. C. § 10003(a).
The purpose of this exemption is to protect personal privacy. Del. Solid Waste Authority v. News-Journal, Del. Supr., 480 A.2d 628, 631 (1984). Interpreting the personal privacy exemption in a statute similar to the Delaware FOIA, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the test for public disclosure is whether the information sought is “highly offensive to the ordinary reasonable person” and whether the information is truly “not of legitimate concern to the public.” Perkins v. Freedom of Information Comm’n, Conn. Supr., 635 A.2d 783, 790 (1993)(citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 652D).
document request under the Federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, which mirrors the Delaware Freedom of Information Act with regard to exemption from the disclosure of personnel files.
The employees have a strong privacy interest in their Social Security numbers. Congress has recognized this privacy interest by making unlawful any denial of a right, benefit, or privilege by a government agency because of an individual’s refusal to disclose his Social Security number. Privacy Act of 1974, Pub.L. 93-579, § 7, 88 Stat. 1896, 1909 (1974), reprinted in 5 U.S.C. § 552a note (1982). Moreover, in its report supporting the adoption of this provision, the Senate Committee stated that the extensive use of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers in both the public and private sectors is ‘one of most serious manifestations of privacy concerns in the Nation.’ S.Rep. No. 1183, 93d Cong., 2d Sess., reprinted in 1974 U.S. Code Cong. & Admin. News 6916, 6943.
Id. at 89. While the disclosure of contractor payroll records serves a significant public interest in ensuring compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, a disclosure of employees’ Social Security numbers constitutes a significant privacy concern and an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy in the absence of any evidence that the Social Security numbers are necessary to accomplish the objectives of the prevailing wage laws. Painting Ind. of Hawaii v. U.S. Dep. of Air Force, 756 F.Supp. 452 (Hawaii 1990).
document requests pursuant to the Delaware FOIA for sworn payroll information under 29 Del. C. § 6912(c). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

References: § 6912
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 § 652
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