Opinion ID: 1178884
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Exemptions Under the Statute

Text: Most of the information in dispute clearly falls within the exemptions allowed by statute. We hold that the personnel records of the employees which pertain to illness, injury, disability, inability to perform a job task, and sick leave shall be considered confidential under the statute and not subject to release to the public, except, of course, by the consent or waiver of the particular employee. Letters of reference are specifically exempt from disclosure under Section B of the statute as are letters or memorandums which are matters of opinion as noted in Section C. The Legislature quite obviously anticipated that there would be critical material and adverse opinions in letters of reference, in documents concerning disciplinary action and promotions and in various other opinion information that might have no foundation in fact but, if released for public view, could be seriously damaging to an employee. We hold that letters of reference, documents concerning infractions and disciplinary action, personnel evaluations, opinions as to whether a person would be re-hired or as to why an applicant was not hired, and other matters of opinion are also exempt from disclosure under the statute.