Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

What does the Personnel Record Act prohibit an employer from keeping information about?

1. An employee's medical history

2. An employee's social security number

3. An employee's political affiliation

4. An employee's educational background

The correct answer is: An employee's political affiliation

The Personnel Record Act places restrictions on the types of information that employers can maintain about their employees. One of the key protections is regarding an employee's political affiliation. The rationale behind this is to ensure that employment decisions are not influenced by an individual's political beliefs, which can promote discriminatory practices and inhibit an employee's right to free expression. In contrast, other types of information, such as an employee's medical history, social security number, and educational background, are generally subject to different regulations and may still be recorded in personnel files under acceptable conditions. Employers must take care to protect sensitive information like medical history and social security numbers due to privacy laws, but the act specifically prohibits keeping track of political affiliations. This establishes a level of separation between an employee's personal beliefs and their professional life, fostering an environment of fairness and inclusivity in the workplace.