Basic Concepts of Records PDF

BASIC CONCEPTS OF RECORDS
Introduction
Records are created by organization
The organization has...
• Directorates
• Departments
• Sections/ units and work stations
Org are established with a purpose & such purposes are with
respect to their mission, objectives, activities, tasks and
transactions
 To achieve such purposes, org carry out different activities,

tasks & transactions
 In carrying out such activities, tasks & transactions org needs

inform...esp of the documentary nature
 Therefore, it leads to the creation, receipt, storage &

accumulation of records.
 In other words, its true to say every org generates records in

the course of performing its activities.
Thus: records are the by-products of the org activities
The Records and Archives Management Act no. 3 of 2002

provides the responsibility to heads of public offices of creating and
maintaining adequate documentation of the functions and activities
of their respective public offices through the establishment of good
records keeping practices.
Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 1

Definition of terms
 Records; are information kept in various forms eg. Paper or

computer disk- needed for carrying out business (Hare and
Leod, 1977).
 Records; are information captured by either individual or an

organization or an institution in whatever media for carrying
out business (Pen, et al.,1994)
 Records: refers to the information created, received, and

maintained as evidence by an organization or person in
pursuance of legal obligations or in the transaction of
business (ISO 15489-1: 2001).
Originally the term record was a legal term. It used to mean

writings preserved in courts of law and accepted by them as
authentic testimony of a completed action.
Currently, it has wider connotations and is used to mean any

recorded evidence of an activity (Shepherd and Yeo, 2003).
The word evidence is not used in a legal sense but provide

evidence that can be used in any situation where proof of a
particular activity is required.
An activity refers to an action or set of actions undertaken by

an individual, a group of individuals or a corporate body or by
employees or agents acting on its behalf and resulting in a
definable outcome.
Connection between activity and creation of a record
Records are a product of organizational activity, created or

received during or after completion of the activity itself.
Where more than one party is involved in an activity,
a. Each party may create its own record,

b. The second party may receive and retain the record
transmitted by the creator while the creator retains
a copy.
 Archives: refers to…..
A. Records that are made or received & accumulated by a

person or org as evidence of an activity so as to fulfil its legal
or business transaction requirements & are preserved
because of their enduring value;
B. The building that houses, preserves & make available 4 use

all the records of enduring value; &
C. The org, agency or programme responsible 4 the selection,

care & use of the records of continuing value (McCausland,
1993).
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
 The act of documenting an activity by creating or receiving

records and ensuring that they are available, understandable
and usable for as long as they are needed.
 Refers to the ‘field of mgt responsible 4 the efficient &

systematic control of the creation, receipt, maintenance, use
& disposition of records…”(ISO 15489-1, 2001 (E) Section
3.16)

TYPES OF RECORDS
Types of records can be grouped into four (4) categories as follows:
a. Types of records based on the format.
b. Types of records based on the level of sensitivity.
c. Types of records based on the

specialization/function.
d. Types of records based on the ownership.
Types of records based on the format
In this category, records can be held in different formats as

provided hereunder:
 Paper records: records which are created, received,

maintained and used on the paper medium (in a hard copy).
e.g. manuscripts, reports, letters, drawings, photographs,
maps, financial statements in paper format, etc.
 Electronic records: records which are created, received,

maintained and accessed using electronic devices.
 In electronic records, there are those which are

digitized and others are born digital E.g. Email, electronic
text, databases, microfilms, spreadsheets, Audio tapes,
Video tapes, CDs, etc.
An organization that creates and keeps both paper and

electronic records operates what is called a hybrid system.

Types of records based on the level of sensitivity
Top secret Records:
 These are records containing extremely sensitive information

of which its disclosure to unauthorized people is likely to
cause a major harm to the national security, organization, an
individual or a society in general. E.g. major government
plans, economic agreements, military intelligence, etc.
 These records require the highest degree of protection.
 Such records are usually filed in red file covers.
Secret Records:
 These are records that contain very sensitive information of

which unauthorized disclosure would endanger the security of
the nation but not like top secret documents.
 They require substantial degree of protection.
 Such records are filed in green file covers with a red band
diagonal/ across the file.
Confidential records:
These are records which require protection because unauthorized

disclosure would cause embarrassment to the government or
organization officials or individuals; or difficulties or advantage to
the foreign nation. E.g. budget, staff promotion, etc.
These records are usually filed in blue file covers.

Restricted open records:
These are records without any security classification but only

authorised persons are allowed to access them. E.g. letters, maps,
drawings, policy, etc.
These records are usually filed in khaki files.
Types of records based on function/ specialization
Legal records:
 Those records generated specifically from the legal processes,

from the work of the courts, the police and public prosecutors.
 These records document and provide evidence on the

protection of the rights of an individual, individuals or
organization. E.g. Contracts and agreements etc.
Financial Records:
These are recorded information resulted from the conduct of

activities related to financial management in the organization. For
example receipts, financial statements voucher, etc.
Medical records
Are documentations of medical and health care services provided to

patients at the direction of a physician, nurse or other caregivers.
Or
Is a legal document providing a written account of important or

historical events in the order of their occurrence of a patient's
medical history and care. E.g. patient case note and x-rays.

Land records: These are records generated in the process of
governing and administering land i.e title deeds, plans, maps, etc.
Administrative records: are those records relating to general

administrative activities common to all organization, such as
maintenance of resources, care of the fiscal plan or other routine
office matters
Personnel records: these are records generated from human

resource management functions in the course of performing such
functions. They usually contain information about the employees in
the organization.
Such records are of two types namely subject files and personal
files. E.g.Human resource policies, birth certificates, professional
and academic certificates.
Types of records according to ownership
In this category there are two types of records, namely:
Public records:
These are records that are created, received or maintained by public

offices for conducting their business transactions. E.g. official
memos, reports, letters, minutes, etc.
Private records:
These are records created, received or maintained by family,

individuals or private institutions for conducting different activities.
E.g. birth certificate, academic certificates, marriage certificates,
pictures, etc.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A RECORD
According to ISO 15489-1(2008), the record should have the

following characteristics:
Authenticity – an authentic record is one that can be proven:
a. to be what it claims to be;
b. to have been created or sent by the person

claimed to have created or sent it;
c. to have been created or sent at the time

purported.
Reliability
 A reliable record is the one whose contents can be trusted as a

full and accurate representation of the transactions, activities
or facts to which they attest.
 It can be depended upon in the course of subsequent

transactions or activities.
 It should be created at the time of the transaction or incident

to which they relate or soon afterwards by individuals with
direct knowledge of the facts.
Integrity
 Record being complete and unaltered.
 This characteristic requires records to be protected

against unauthorised alteration.
Usability
 Useable record is the one which can be located,

retrieved, presented and interpreted.

 It should be able to show the direct connection to
the business activity or transaction that produced
it.
Other general characteristics include…
 Content is what the record says.
 Structure relates to both:
 the appearance & arrangement of the content (for example, the

layout, fonts, page & paragraph breaks, tables, graphs, charts
etc); &
 Context is the background information that helps explain the

meaning of the document.
 This includes two types of info:
 Firstly, the info. that identifies the document, such as the

title, author and date of creation.
 Secondly, the info. about the creator and the purpose of

creation
 for instance, the nature of the business function or

activity, the creating agency and unit concerned.
IMPORTANCE OF RECORDS
Records are important to any society in various ways, such as:
 They constitute a reliable source of information. Public

servants must have information to carry out their work, and
records represent a particular and crucial source of
information;

 Serve as a benchmark by which past activities are measured
and future activities are determined;
 Document fundamental rights and obligations;
 Differentiate the rule of law from the actions of arbitrary

states. This is because records document compliance or non-
compliance with laws, rules, and procedures.
 Support good governance (transparency, accountability,

etc.). Records are vital to almost every aspect of the
governance process. E.g. Without access to records, the public
does not have the evidence needed to hold officials
accountable or to insist on the prosecution of corruption and
fraud, etc.
 Enable quick and rational decision making. Governments

can no longer justify taking action with little or no reference to
past performance. Thus, useable records enable the
organization to take decisions quickly and rationally.
 Protect the interest of the organization, rights of employees

and the society at large.
 Enable organizations to deliver services in a consistent and

equitable manner.
 Enable organizations to provide evidence of business,

personal and cultural activity.
 Provide protection and support in litigation/court cases.

FUNCTIONS/USES OF RECORDS
Records are used for:
 Making decisions;
 Developing plans;
 Pursuing policies &org. Objectives;
 Discharging obligations;
 Employing/ exploiting resources;
 Protecting the interests of the org & that of stakeholders,
 Fulfilling legislative & regulatory requirements of the org

etc.(Bradsher and Pacifico 1989; McCausland, 1993; Ngulube,
2003; Shepherd and Yeo, 2003);
 Providing continuity in the event of disasters;
 Providing protection & support in litigation;
 Provides evidence of business/personal activity;
 Maintain corporate, personal or collective memory.

RECORDS LIFE CYCLE
Any profession is guided by principles. Records management like

other professions is guided by two major principles, namely:
a) The Records Life Cycle
b) The Records Continuum model
Records life cycle can be referred to as:
c) A way of looking at how records are managed from the

creation to the disposition.
d) It depicts the life span of records from the creation to the

disposition.
The idea was developed in North America by Schellenberg (1956,

37) who wrote about the life span of records. This principle
describes a record as having life similar to that of biological
organisms in that:
They are born (creation phase),
They live (maintenance and usage phase),
They die (disposition phase).
This model is suitable for paper based records.
Since 1950s this principle started to be described differently by

various writers.

Most models aim to show a progression of actions taken at different
times in the life of a record: typically, its creation, capturing,
storage, use and disposal.
Some writers show this as a linear progression, while others

describe a loop or circle.
A different model suggests that records pass through three ages or

stages.
 A current stage;
 a semi current stage
 non-current stage.
For the sake of this course, a traditional model of three stages will
be adopted, which are:
 The Active stage (Current stage)
 The semi-active stage (Semi-current stage) and
 An inactive stage (Non-current stage)
Active stage
 The record is created or received.
 The record is referred to frequently for day to day decision

making of the organization.

 The record creators and records managers have a primary
responsibility for managing the record.
 It is stored on-site in the active files in the registry.
 At the end of this stage records may be appraised where

records with no further value will be destroyed and others will
enter the next stage.
At this stage Records are:
 Created,
 Received
 Distributed
 Used
 Stored &
 Actively maintained
Records creation
 Traditionally: records were created manually...using pen and

ink or a type writer but
 In the modern enviro records are created using digital

technology
 Records can also be created when communication are received

outside the org in form of: letters, postcards, electrnically
transmitted messages, documents, directives, forms, packages
etc.
 Correspondences that are created within the org by officers

include: memos, letters or minutes, reports etc.

Media used in records creation
1) Paper media-records are created on paper
2) Digital media-records created or received electronically, which

are then maintained electronically (Shepherd, 2003).
Creators and users of records
Records are created by action officers (from the top mgt to the
lowest level of management staff).
Therefore, creators & users of records in org include:
1) Seniour managers
2) Middle managers
3) Supervisors
4) Operational staff
5) Proffessional and technical staff
Records created or received in the organization are distributed to

different users using:
1) Messengers
2) Postal offices
3) E- mail
4) Fax etc.
REGISTRY
Active storage of records ….done at the RMU/Registry
Records are actively stored in Records Management

Unit(RMU)/Registry.

RMU/Registry
 It’s the heart of the org (pumps info in & out of the org)
 It is a unit /office within the org. responsible for receiving,

storing, maintaining records from creation to disposition.
The accommodation/ building storing records, together with

different facilities such as cabinets & shelves among others should
also be conducive 4 proper storage of records 4 as long as such
records are needed to support the service/ business
Good records storage facilities preserve records from
 Damage,
 Theft,
 Fire,
 Deletion,
 Alteration,
 Environmental hazards
 Loss or destruction, and
 Unauthorised access
 Unauthorized copying &
 Removal of documents
RMU/Registry responsibilities
 RMU ensures that:

1) Incoming and outgoing correspondence receives attention
without delay (mail management)
2) Official correspondence is assigned to the appropriate files and

distributed accordingly(file management)
3) The right info is provided to the right person, at the right time
& at the least possible costs
4) Control over storage and preservation of records is done
5) Identification of record keeping requirements is done
6) Control over creation/ prevention of unnecessary duplication

of records is done
7) It disposes off the non-current records in accordance with the

retention & disposal schedule
SEMI ACTIVE STAGE
Records are not needed frequently for day-to-day decision

making.
Records can be stored in an on-site or off-site or

outsourced records storage centre.
The responsibility of managing records is taken by the

records manager.
At the end of this stage, another appraisal occurs where

records with no further value are destroyed while others
enter the next stage.

RECORDS CENTRE
 Records centers: refers to a low cost storage for non current

records (can be on site or off site)
 Semi current records: records that are not regulary used for
the current bussiness transactions
Objectives of the records centres
a) to move non-current records out of current records system
b) to ensure economy in use of space & equipment
c) to provide mechanism for disposal (advice on how to destroy

records eg. incineration, maceneration, shredding, recycling
etc.
d) to provide security to unauthorised disposal of non current

records
e) to ensure economy in staff use
Services provided by the records centers
 Transfer of records
 Retrieval services for any requested file
 Advice on the destruction of records
 Microfilming services
At some point when semi current records ceases to be of use to the

creators, such records should be appraised so that worthless rec

can be destroyed & useful rec to the general public can be
transferred to the non current storage facilities
 This brings us to the concept of records disposal
DISPOSAL
 Disposal - means destruction of totally worthless records &

preservation of those with continuing values
 This is done in accordance with the…records retention and

disposal schedule
 The records retention and disposal schedule is: a time table

that stipulates the life of records from creation to disposition
The retention schedule
 Documents the records values in terms of the length of time it

is to be needed.
 The retention schedule is developed after the appraisal

process.
 Records appraisal refers to: the determination of the final

disposition of records depending on their values
Values of records
Values to be considered when appraising records include:
(a) Primary values – values of records to the creating agency

(constitute those records that are necessary to creating
organisations for administrative, legal and fiscal purposes etc)

This value is further divided into:
 Administrative value; records that supports operational

activities of the org.
 Fiscal value; records which depicts how the org used its
financial resources.
 Legal value; shows how the org perfomed its mandate as

enshrined by various legislative instruments
b) Secondary values – those that have ceased to be of value to the

creator but are of value to other users (public). Archival content
comes in here.
 This value is further divided into:
i) Historical value; records that provides an account of the org

transaction & activ over a long period of time
ii) Evidential value; provides proof of the bussiness that transpired
iii) Informational value; the value of the records 2

researchers..basing on the uniqueness of their content, their use &
the no of users it might serve.
When and who should appraise?
Should be done at the beginning of the records life-cycle
 This will help in notifying users of values & proper handling of

rec.
 Ensures records are preserved in a long lasting medium
 Done by a Records Committee (comprises heads of units,

records manager, archivists, lawyers & other advisors)

 Can do two reviews- first & second just to be confident of your
judgement
Records of continuing value at the RC are transfered to the archives

(5%-10%) for their continuing preservation & accessibility by the
public
Remember the worthless records at the semi current records are

destroyed....
Destruction methods???
1) Recycling; where other materials can be obtained from such

records after undergoing some processes
2) Maceneration; employing chemicals to destroying records, eg.

Acids
3) Pulverization; milling records into powder
4) Shredding; cutting papers/ records using machines into

unreadable form
5) Incineration; burning records
INACTIVE STAGE
1) Records are not used for day to day decision making of

the creating organization.
2) They are usually stored in an archival repository.
3) Archivists take the lead in managing archives.
4) Archives usually form a small percentage of records,

normally estimated at 5% of the total documentation.

A diagram of records life cycle

LECTURE TWO
AN OVERVIEW OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT
 Define records management???
RM has 4 different elements.
 Mail mgt
 File mgt
 Records storage &
 Records retirement
MAIL MANAGEMENT
 Concerns with the receipt & transmission of written comm.

within & outside the org.
 Mail includes letters, directives, forms, packages, postcards

etc. tht are created or received for dispatch or comm.
The purpose of managing mails in the org include:
 Facilitating timely processing of incoming & outgoing mails
The Importance of Mail management:
 enhances efficiency & effectiveness in org operations bcoz of

informtn
 The processing of the incoming mails/ correspondence

involves….(show the processes…)

Incoming Mail Management Tools
 Incoming correspondence Register
 Valuable register
 Mail Circulation Box
 File Classification Scheme
Processing Outgoing Mails
 What is an outgoing mails?. It’s a mail meant for dispatch
 Outgoing mails normally comes in triplicates
In processing the outgoing mails:
 register outgoing mails to the Outgoing correspondence

Register & dispatch book;
 date stamp the mails;
 insert the mails in the envelope; &
 place them in the posting section
Outgoing Mail Management Tools
 Includes;
 Outgoing correspondence register
 Hands delivery register/ dispatch book

FILE MANAGEMENT
 Entails/involves…
 assigning files to incoming & outgoing correspondences
 retrieval of the requested files
 dispatching files to the required action officers
 clearing the out trays from the action officers
Purposes of managing files: to assist in the:
 creation of records,
 maintenance of records
 use of records and
 disposition of records in the org.
The advantages of managing files
 Enables the org. to create “authentic, reliable, complete and

useable records”
 Assists in the maintenance & use of org. records.
 Facilitates timely access to records
Activities in managing files
i. Receiving mails
ii. Retrieving files

iii. Filling (capturing of mail, folio numbering & completion of the
action ladder?????)
iv. Dispatching files
v. Clearing out-trays
Folios are numbered because of the following reasons
 It provides order
 Establishes the context & sequence of the actions & decisions

made by action officers
 Ensures that mail are filed in accordance with the

transactions
 Helps to identify the gaps or missing documents within the file
 Specific & related document are easily referred by quoting folio

number in the file
Activities in managing files
 Upon the arrival of the files at RMU from action officers,

inspection should b done on……
 The action ladder
 Missing folios/correspondences
 Minutes
 BU Diary

File Management Tools
i. File
ii. Minute Sheets
iii. Folio Transfer Form
iv. Cross Referencing
v. File Movement /tracking tools such as…
 File Census Form
 Bring up Diary
 File movement slip
 File movement cards/book
Tracking provides evidence of-
 where a record is located,
 what action is outstanding on a record,
 when such access took place
 the recordkeeping transactions undertaken on the record &
 The pattern of usage of records 2 establish the currency of

such records & decide its disposal period
STORAGE OF RECORDS:
Element of RM dealing with the storage of records generated /

received in the org.
 Done at the RMU/Registry

 Revise the RMU responsibilities…..
 Can involve storage of employees records and operational

records
Why storing records????
 Records are stored so that they can be protected from;
 Damage,
 Theft,
 Fire,
 Deletion,
 Alteration,
 Environmental hazards
 Loss or destruction, and
 Unauthorised access
 Unauthorized copying &
 Removal of documents
Tanzanian National Records and Archives Management Policy of

2011 part 4.6 provides for the factors that determines the storage of
records such as:
 The physical form eg. computer printout; microfilms; tape;

compact disks?
 Retention value over time
 Security classification etc.

Choosing Storage Equipment For Records
 Is the equip. for an office area (where it may need to match

décor/ other furniture) or 4 the space dedicated to records
storage eg. RMU/Registry/RC?
 How much space is required 4 existing records and 4 future

growth?
 What media will be stored (eg. Paper files, drawings, tape,

disks) etc?
 How frequently & how urgently do users need access? How

many people need access at one time?
 Do the records need high levels of security /environmental

protection?
 What space is available in the storage area?
 What budgetary limits apply?
Types of equipment to keep/store records
 Filing cabinets- The most common type of current file

storage: Are lockable/ can be fire resistant; requires a large
floor space for opening the drawers.
 Rotary/ carousel units- Shelving units which rotate around a

central shaft: used 4 paper records in ring binders
 Mechanized conveyor units- Computer controlled vertical

units designed 4 use by a single operator
 Shelves
 Mobile racking- Can be used 4 current records tho most

suitable 4 the old records

 For the e-records: electronic storage media includes:
 Magnetic media eg. hard/floppy disks, tapes etc.
 Optical media eg. CD, DVDs etc.
Tanzanian Registry Manual of 2007 provides these methods:
 Vertical filing: files are placed upright with their spines

facing outward (mostly done on shelves). Dis. files can split out
if placed on open shelves.
 Stacking method: the method stores files flatly...one on top of

the other, with their spines facing outward. Adv/dis..Cheapest
but difficult to retrieve files.
 Lateral method: files are positioned on their narrow edge

within a hanging folder.

Systems of organizing a filling department
There are three common systems of organizing a filing department,

namely...
 centralized,
 decentralized and
 functional centralized system
Centralized filing system
 Records of the whole org. are stored together
Advantages
 Easy monitoring & control
 No duplication of records
 Security of records is ensured
 Helps to eliminate duplication of filing equipment
 Costs of filing operations is minimized b’se of economies of

time, money, space, equipment, efforts etc.
 Quick location of records for reference
 Retrieval, retention & transfer of rec will b efficient & easy to

control
 Ensures proffessionalism
 Access is regulated easily

Disadvantages
 Time consuming coz each department will b compelled to

contact the central RMU
 Misfiling of records due 2 lack of knowledge about the subject

matter by the registry staff
 Difficult 2 maintain confidentiality of some important info.
 Poses high risks in case of a disaster
Decentralized
 In this system, every department mantains its own registry
 Records are kept closer to the users.
Advantages
 Easy access to records
 Act as a backup strategy
 Increased control at the local level
 Departmental specific needs are catered
 Control over resources
Disadvantages
 Costly eg. People, equipment, space etc.
 Control becomes questionable: (stations are many therefore

the possibility of losing records is high).
 Security is a problem

 Standardisation of a filing plan becomes a problem
 The benefits of specialization will not be enjoyed
 If the org has a good RM Syst. better to centralise to

economise resources.
 In big org??????????
Combination of the two (functional centralization)
RECORDS RETIREMENT
 “It is unrealistic to expect that records can be transferred

direct from the registry to the Records Centre… (Mazikana,
1990:21).
 The retirement of records from the RMU 2the

storeroom/strong room is unavoidable for the better
functioning of any records system (Mazikana; 1990).
Failure to retire such records, the records system will be:
 Burdened and
 Over loaded by the information which is not required
 Experience slow rate of retrieval of records
 The assessment of the rate of file usage determines the time of

retiring the records.
 The declined rate from the frequent to the occasional use

justifies the transfer.

 This is achieved by looking at:
 The file movement cards and
 The mark-out books
 Research reveals that, in practice: records are kept in the

storeroom without any controls causing retrieval problems.
 Therefore, most of the org. are reluctant to transfer records

from the RMU (Mazikana; 1990).
Requirements
The following observation is crucial when transferring records

from RMU to the storeroom.
 Records transfer or transmittal list: used to record details of

the records being transferred; the new location or storage area
and position where they can be found.
 The storeroom must be organised and arranged;
 Shelves to be employed in the storage for easy location of the

records when required;
 Numbering of the shelves;
Justification for the Records Centre???
 The removal and retirement of records to the store rooms and

its ultimate transfer to RC justifies the existence of the RC as a
low cost storage for non current records.
 The transfer relieves offices & registries off the burden of

keeping such records (can be on site or off site).

 Records appraisal takes place before transferring records to
the RC.
Benefits of proper management of records
 Provides evidence of business transactions carried out by

public institutions. Records are a source of accountability and
transparency in organizations.
 Facilitates performance of activities in organizations (faster

service provision)
 Protects the rights of organizations, individuals, employees &

customers (It reduces liabilities associated with document
disposal…better physical protection of records).
 Ensures continuity in the event of disasters.
 Protects records from inappropriate and unauthorised access.
 Handles storage capacity & associated costs- coz records will

be disposed off in a timely manner, thereby reducing the
volume of records being stored daily.
 It provides saving in human resources-less time spent on

processing, filing and retrieval.
 It ensures easy retrieval of records & information-...fewer

records in the org, coupled with proper filing facilitates easy
location & identification of records needed for decision
making.
 It ensures provision of efficient and effective service delivery-

...achieved thru quick and easy retrieval of information.
 It reduces legal or regulatory risks
 It ensures security and preservation of records

LECTURE THREE
THE NATURE OF HR RECORDS
Meaning of HR Records
• These are info about an organization staff that documents an

individual’s employment history through out his/her career &
infor relating 2 HR mgt functions eg. Recruitment, manpower
planning etc.
Processes leading to the creation of HR Records
• Human resource planning
• Recruitment and appointment
• Induction or initial training
• Confirmation in post
• Performance appraisal
• HR training etc
Types of HR Records
There are 2 types of HR records
 Subject files
 Personal files
Subject files
• These are records relating to HR mgt functions. These covers

the policy & procedural matters relating 2 for eg. Recruitment,
HR planning, training etc.
• These are managed just like other subject or policy files tht are
not HR related

Personal files
These are files containing records tht document an individual

employment history through out his/her career in the public
service.
In Tanzania, it was a common practice 2 keep 2 personal files such

as;
 Confidential
 open
Such practice led 2 a number of problems such as;
i. Fragmentation of information
ii. Incomplete documents
iii. Missing of key information of an individual
Therefore, through The Guidelines and Procedures for Managing

Personnel Records in the Public Service, 2013, Tz Gov reviewed the
record keeping practices of personal files by establishing the
following:
• A master file (previously known as confidential file)
• A working file (previously known as open file)
• A backup digital file
Reasons behind such a review
• A master file was intended 2 keep essential/vital infor that is

needed for long (longer time retention)
• A working file was intended 2 keep those rec whose retention

value is not very long
• The need 4 having a backup of the HR rec

Master file
• Rec kept in master personal file are those tht are most
valuable 2 ones career in the service.
• Most of the infor in the master files can not be replaced or

reconstructed after an elapse of time
• It should document the entire period of individual public

service
Master file should include…
1. The core records of service
2. Basic personal details
3. The records needed 2 document the contractual r-ship btn the

employer & employee eg. Appointment letter, confirmation in
post, promotion etc.
• These are stored in the confidential registry
Master file checklist
• Appointment letter
• Birth certificates/affidavit
• Change of name
• Copies of educational /professional certificates
• Copy of national ID
• Disciplinary records
• Leave without pay & secondment
• Letters of confirmation
• Letters of promotion

• Marital status records
• Medical board reports
• Medical report on appointment
• Next of kin card
• Notification of termination/resignation/retirement/ death
• Pension certificates
• Vetting documents etc.
Working file
• These contain infor that is not critical or essential 2

employee’s contractual r-ship with the employer eg. Leave,
travel, training applications etc.
• They can also contain copies of key docs in the master file
• They should not contain original personal rec
• They are only retained 4 as long as they are required 2

support a particular hr function
Working file checklist
• Academic progress report
• Acting appointments
• Allowance applications
• Complaints, training, allowances, leave
• Correspondence relating to clearance 2 travel
• Curriculum vitae

• Details of gov. loans
• Details of retired imprests
• Docs relating 2 training
• Driving license
• Loan application
• Loss reports
• National service recruitment
• On job reporting letter
• Payment voucher
• Payroll data sheet
• Rec of leave
• Refunds
• Request to change job
• Salary advances
• Salary slips etc.
Backup-digital file
• This is a back up of the personal documents in a digital format
• Why keeping it????
• To provide convenience whenever access 2 records is

concerned b’se they are centrally held by the gov & can be
rendered 4 access via the Gov network
• They act as a backup to paper based records

Characteristics of HR Records
• There are different characteristics of HR Records,
Government wide: all Gov offices do create HR rec. Central,

Regional & Local Gov Level at both MDA’s, they do create &
maintain HR rec.
Links with other system: HR Rec mgt is done within the RM

System. Therefore, HR Records mgt systems are linked 2 other
Govt. systems eg. Payroll & Pension Mgt System
Hr records have diffent uses such as…
• Developing plans
• Making decisions on the areas of HR works
• Discharging HR functions
• Exploiting different resources eg. People resources
• Exercising control eg. Performance appraisal
• Pursuing HR policies & objectives
 Cross check other uses covered in class
Importance: HR records are important in a no of ways
i. They support efficient mgt & use of Gov HR by supplying

crucial HR info
ii. They document the contractual r-ship btn the employer &
employee & employee’s career history
iii. HR Records can be used as the basis in making decisions in

every area of hr work eg. Promotion, transfer, termination etc.

iv. They guard people’s rights & entitlements. Hr records can be
used to determine pay & other benefits eg. Pension
entitlements
v. Helps researchers 2 carry in-depth study with respect to

industrial relations
vi. Helps the Gov 2 gather data in respect to rate of turnover, rate
of absenteeism & other personal matters
Sensitivity; most of HR rec are sensitive in nature eg. Medical

reports, disciplinary docs etc. its security can not be over
emphasized.
Longevity: some of the HR rec have a very longer life span b’se of
the essential infor contained in them.
• Some hr rec will need 2 b kept 4 entire period of ones career,

after the decease, retirement or separation frm the public
service
Quantity: the PS is daily creating & managing HR rec in large

quantities. Majority are in paper form.
• Thus, they need 2b managed properly 2 facilitate their

existence & carter 4 the limited resources such as time,
spacing, staff & storage facilities
Ownership: although HR rec are under the custody of the public

offices, they are GOV rec & have 2b managed as per the framwork
given by PO-PSM
• Eg. The Guideline & Procedures for Managing Personnel

Records

Users of HR Records
• Users of HR records includes:
1. The HR Officers
2. Top level managers eg. Managing Director/ Directors
3. Heads of Departments/units

LECTURE FOUR
THE ROLE OF HR RECORDS MGT IN THE ORGANIZATION
HR Records Mgt defined
Is that act or process of making sure tht HR records are generated,

distributed, used, maintained & used.
The roles of HR Records Mgt
These can sometimes be referred also as the functions
 To enable the public offices 2 manage their employees

efficiently & equitably
 To facilitate org in making informed & consistent decisions on

HR matters
 To facilitate transparency on the areas of HRM
 To facilitate accountability in the mgt of HR
 To facilitate the monitoring & evaluation of HR performance
 To reduce delays in processing pension claims 4 retired staff
 To facilitate the creation, distribution, use, maintenance,

preservation of hr rec & monitoring their disposition
 To facilitate the execution of different legal provisions covered

in different legislative & regulatory frameworks on HR rec such
as:
Benefits of proper mgt of HR Records in an org…
1. Public offices will be enabled 2 manage their employees

efficiently & effectively
2. Enhances effective decision making on the areas of HR etc.

The Impact of Poor Mgt of HR Records
////////////////////////////////

LECTURE FIVE
THE STORAGE OF HR RECORDS
Introduction
The storage of HR records involves the safe keeping of the HR

records, their maintenance & preservation over time as long as HR
records are still needed to transact HR activities.
Storage facilities for HR records
HR records are stored in different storage facilities such as cabinets

and shelves. For e-records, HR can be generated & stored in
different e-records mgt systems eg. Human Capital Management
Information Systems (HCMIS)
Why storing HR records
• HR records serves a unique & essential source of employee

information which has to be well stored & safeguarded.
• Why is this the case??? (reasons for storing records)
• It necessitates the protection of records from:
 The unauthorized access 2 documents
 Unauthorized copying of documents
 The alteration of documents
 The removal of documents
 Loss
 Damage of the file or any document it contains through poor

handling

 Disclosure of unauthorized personal information
 Employees access to their personal files
Storage of records also involves the maintenance of such records

over time.
The following are the issues covered by the Guidelines & Procedures
for Managing Personnel Records in the Public service, 2013 as far
as the maintence of rec is concerned.
Maintaining personal files includes...
 Ensuring that files are kept in good order
 Dealing with files promptly & returning them 2 the registry

when no longer required
 Keeping the files free extraneous materials such as duplicates

& rough drafts
 Any evidence of tempering with the HR rec should be

immediately reported 2 the Head of Administration & Human
Resources
 Damaged file covers should be replaced & detached docs 2b

re-attached
 Re-filing any removed folio in the exactly positions it was

removed
 Filing minute sheets 2 the left hand & the papers received to
the right side, each on top of the other; in date of receipt order.
 Giving a folio number 2 each document in the file

Indexing system for HR Records
• The word index, stands for a ‘pointer’
• Indexing: Is the process of determining the filing segments

such as;
1. The file name/subject or
2. The number which is being used 4 filing purposes
The objectives of indexing
• To enhance the efficiency of the filing system in an office b’se

indexing helps 2 locate the files easily & quickly
• It controls the creation of new files coz it can be easy 2

establish whether there is a file already 2 avoid proliferation of
files
• Indexing for personal files can take a form of:
a. A card index
b. Simple computerized database
• For subject files
 Follow the indexing system applicable 4 other subject files eg.
a. Card index
b. Book index
c. Loose leaf index

LECTURE SIX
SECURITY MEASURES FOR HR RECORDS
Security measures defined…
• These are measures/mechanisms that are instituted within an

organization where records are kept 2 safeguard the rec &
ensuring their continued availability as they are needed
Security measures for HR rec includes
1. Controlling access 2 HR rec by physically putting the rec in a

designated place set aside 4 storing records & instituting controlling
systems 2 track their movement & use
2. Records staff must never reveal HR informt gained frm working

with personnel records
3. HR records mgt practitioners at the Registry/RC should

understand & apply the code of ethics 4 managing records
4. Having a checking process 2 protect the files frm inappropriate or

mischievous amendment
5. Putting in place physical security systems such as:
i. Fire security systems (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors,

sprinklers, fire alarms etc.)
ii. CCTV cameras
iii. Strong grills
iv. Lockable area where records are kept or even physically

separate systems 4 confidential/HR rec
6. Controlling the environmental conditions
7. Controlling access to HR records by ensuring access 2 only

authorized people

8. Putting rec in secured storage facilities eg. Fire resistant &
lockable cabinets
9. Controlling poor handling practices to HR records such as:
Poor handling practices includes
• Rough handling
• Excessive pressures on file folders
• Poor photocopying practices
• Poor retrieval & filing practices causing HR materials 2b torn,

misfiled or damaged
• Writing on records
• Spilling food or drinks on records
• Handling rec with dirty or oily hands
• Poor cleaning/house keeping practices
• Vandalism

LECTURE SEVEN
RECORDS RETENTION AND DISPOSAL SCHEDULES
Definition
 Records Retention and disposal schedule – Is a time table

planning the life of records from creation to disposition.
(Section 1 (1) of the Records and Archives Management Act,
2002)
 RDS is prepared by documenting records values in terms of

the length of time it is to be needed.
 Disposal - means destruction of totally worthless records and

preservation of those with continuing values
Tanzanian experience
 Tanzania Records Retention and Disposal Schedules of 2005

provides:
 Schedules of records whose retention is prescribed by

law/other statutory regulations
 General records which are common to all ministries (which

falls under these generic functions such as administration;
finance; and human resources.
 Ministry specific schedules
 Part 3.2 of Tanzania Records Retention and Disposal Schedules

of 2005 provides for the benefits/importance of Records
Retention and Disposal Schedules among them include:

Benefits of Records Retention & Diposal Schedules
 Promotes efficiency by focusing managerial efforts on the

records which are most important
 Saves time by reducing the volume of information which could

have been serched for.
 It saves space
 Helps in preserving records of long term value; and
 Help to predict in advance how long the records are likely 2b

needed by their creators & users.
Other Benefits/ Importance of RRDS include….
RRDS ensures:
 Systematic disposal of records thus complying with RRDS
 Maximum use of space by destroying or transferring records

that are no longer needed in an organization
 Safeguards records of an enduring value 2the nat.
 The retention of records in the office of origin until they are no

longer required for administrative purposes
 Reduces financial liability & litigation risks associated with the

missing information
 Improved access to current records
 Prevention of backlogs
 ALL THESE BENEFITS CAN APPLY TO HR RECORDS

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BASIC CONCEPTS OF RECORDS

Records are created by organization

The organization has...

• Sections/ units and work stations

 To achieve such purposes, org carry out different activities,

 In carrying out such activities, tasks & transactions org needs

 Therefore, it leads to the creation, receipt, storage &

 In other words, its true to say every org generates records in

Thus: records are the by-products of the org activities

The Records and Archives Management Act no. 3 of 2002

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 1

 Records; are information kept in various forms eg. Paper or

 Records; are information captured by either individual or an

 Records: refers to the information created, received, and

Originally the term record was a legal term. It used to mean

Currently, it has wider connotations and is used to mean any

The word evidence is not used in a legal sense but provide

An activity refers to an action or set of actions undertaken by

Connection between activity and creation of a record

Records are a product of organizational activity, created or

Where more than one party is involved in an activity,

a. Each party may create its own record,

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 2

 Archives: refers to…..

A. Records that are made or received & accumulated by a

B. The building that houses, preserves & make available 4 use

C. The org, agency or programme responsible 4 the selection,

 The act of documenting an activity by creating or receiving

 Refers to the ‘field of mgt responsible 4 the efficient &

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 3

Types of records can be grouped into four (4) categories as follows:

a. Types of records based on the format.

b. Types of records based on the level of sensitivity.

c. Types of records based on the

d. Types of records based on the ownership.

Types of records based on the format

In this category, records can be held in different formats as

 Paper records: records which are created, received,

 Electronic records: records which are created, received,

 In electronic records, there are those which are

An organization that creates and keeps both paper and

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 4

Top secret Records:

 These are records containing extremely sensitive information

 These records require the highest degree of protection.

 Such records are usually filed in red file covers.

 These are records that contain very sensitive information of

 They require substantial degree of protection.

These are records which require protection because unauthorized

These records are usually filed in blue file covers.

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 5

These are records without any security classification but only

These records are usually filed in khaki files.

Types of records based on function/ specialization

 Those records generated specifically from the legal processes,

 These records document and provide evidence on the

These are recorded information resulted from the conduct of

Are documentations of medical and health care services provided to

Is a legal document providing a written account of important or

Lubigili,Lawrence J Dip(Ed),Bd(HRM)&MSc(HRM) Page 6

Administrative records: are those records relating to general

Personnel records: these are records generated from human

Types of records according to ownership