2. Equal Rights
3. Labor Standards
4. Permanent Records

Record Keeping Requirements for Wisconsin Employers

Who is covered?

Every employer in the State of Wisconsin must make and keep payroll and other records for all employees, except those employees paid on other than an hourly rate basis who are exempt from Wisconsin's overtime provisions (for example, these records do not need to be kept for an employee who is exempt from overtime and is paid on a salary basis).

What Records are Required?

The records must contain the following information:

1. Name and address
2. Date of birth
3. Date of entering and leaving employment
4. Time of beginning and ending of work each day
5. Time of beginning and ending of meal periods if employees' meal periods are required or such meal periods are to be deducted from work time. This requirement shall not apply when work is of such a nature that production or business activity ceases on a regularly scheduled basis
6. Total number of hours per day and per week
7. Rate of pay and wages paid each payroll period
8. The amount of and reason for each deduction from the wages earned
9. Output of employee, if paid on other than a time basis

How Long Should the Records be Retained?

The required records must be kept for at least three (3) years.

Where Must the Records be Kept?

The required records, or a duplicate copy, must be kept safe and accessible at the place of employment or business at which the employee is employed, or at one or more established central record keeping offices in the State of Wisconsin.

Is a Specific Format Required?

There is no specific format required for these records, but the information must be complete and accurate.

For More Information

• Contact Info
• File a Complaint
• Online
• Paper (to be mailed)
• Wis. Stat. § 104.09
• Wis. Admin. Code Chapter DWD 272.11
• Recordkeeping Requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)