You may hear different answers to this question. To cover every contingency, you'd keep records for six years. The minimum amount of time you need to keep personnel or hiring records is one year; however, that does not cover every situation. While keeping records longer may be cumbersome or seem tedious, it may be prudent in some cases. Keep in mind that for the most part, keeping the records may help protect your company. How long to keep personnel records in regards to labor laws: One year: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Three years: Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Six Years: Health and pension benefits, COBRA information