Can my employer open my W2?
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Can my employer open my W2?
I was told by a former employee of mine (I was a manager) that my former employer opened my W2. They then placed it in a new envelope and had her write my address on it and told her to mail it to me, without my permission for her to have it. She also told me that the employer mailed everyone else’s
themselves except mine which they gave her to mail. Due to this this strange behavior, she is afraid to mail it so has agreed to bring it to me. Is there anything illegal about them opening it and what can I do about it?
Asked on January 22, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Kentucky
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Your employer often creates the W2 (if they don't have a payroll service do it for them) and has full access to the information in it, which they either provide (i.e. what you are paid) or had access to in your file(s) anyway (e.g. your social security number). There is nothing illegal about them accessing your W2.
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