In the public school the tension between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy is clearly played out in questions surrounding the employee personnel file. The document discusses the relationship between employee and employer as well as between the public and the records. An issue often raised is what may or may not be kept in public employees' personnel files, which leads to the legislation of disclosure laws. A step-by-step analysis that an administrator should use to assess each request for records access is provided. Twenty guidelines are offered to assist in deciding whether requested personnel records information should be retained as confidential or should be disclosed. Courts have reserved the right to make the ultimate decision. (SI)