Old Job Keeping My Certificates....

[Skayda]

I’m a CNA and I’m a bit confused about something and was hoping someone here might shine some light on it for me.

I have recently quit a long-term job, (I quit a few months ago), and the day I was leaving I was going to take all the copies of the certificates I’d earned for continuing education and past first aid/cpr classes, etc, from the time I’d worked there but, the boss stopped me and said she needed me to leave them there “for the state/dshs”.

Today I get a text from her asking where my CPR/First Aid card for 2018-2020 was and said “The only one in the book for you is your 2016-2018 one. Can you send me a copy of your most recent one?”

My confusion is if I no longer work for her does she still need all my CNA information? Does the state/dshs require employers to hang onto past employees’ information for a certain amount of time after the employee has quit working for them?

Thank you.

~Ami

[Skayda]

I’m a bit confused about why they need to keep copies of my state ID and social security card as well after I quit, too.

But, someone pointed out to me that most companies need to keep the certificates and stuff from the time you worked there after you quit just in case they are audited or something.

[feelix, RN]

I would go through HR and not involve the manager at all. It is obvious she is acting in an unprofessional manner. Ask HR to give you the originals and keep copies as your certifications and cards belong to you not the employer. Your CPR card is yours, definitely. The employer has no right to keep it. You will need it when you recertify. The other certificates, you just need a copy of.

In the meantime, don't give them what they are asking for, so you have some leverage. They probably need your paperwork to keep the state off their behind. But don't deal with the manager. Deal with HR. Go to the parent company if the local HR is not helpful.