I’m incredibly glad I trusted my gut and took screenshots of my personnel file and relevant emails while working from home—before I received my 60-day displacement notice. Working at a non-core site, I knew this day was coming.
After having time to process my layoff, my lawyer believes I preserved potentially crucial evidence that disappears from Workday immediately after you receive the 60-day notice, even though you can still technically access Workday.
You also lose access to Outlook within about an hour of receiving the layoff notification.
Yes, you can print your personnel file in the office, but there is a record of what you print (and will probably raise suspicion). And the company firewall prevents you from emailing files—even your own personnel file—to your personal email address.
I’m NOT suggesting anyone violate policy, access something they shouldn’t, or take confidential company information.
I’m saying this: if you’re still employed and you have legitimate access to your own employment records, understand what you’re allowed to preserve before your access changes.
Because once that window closes, you may not get the same opportunity again.
I’m very glad I listened to my gut.