Western Employees subject of public records request

The state Office of Financial Management has informed state agencies that it has received a public records request for information about all state employees, including those at Western Washington University.

The request was made by a private citizen of the state of Washington. By law, requesters do not need to identify themselves or give a reason for the request; in this case, the person making the request identified himself: Robert Hungerschafer, and he has stated that he has a personal interest in performing Washington state workforce trend analyses on large data sets.

The requested information regards employee names, job titles, job descriptions, job locations and pay. A representative sample of the information to be provided can be found by clicking here.

OFM has determined the records requested are public and state law requires that they be released. They will be released on Feb. 16. Click on the following to view the request and a subsequent clarifying email. Please note that birthdates and personnel numbers will not be released.  Also, student employee records are not being released.

Under the Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW, agencies may notify “persons named in the record … that release of a record has been requested.” In addition, some of the state’s collective bargaining agreements require notice to employees when their information is requested.  Western’s union leadership have been notified by Human Resources.

No action is required of Western or other state employees, but under RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 42.56.540, employees may seek an injunction to prevent the release of the records, which is a personal decision. OFM would need to be served with an injunction by close of business on Feb. 15.

For more information, please read the Q&A about this request.  And more information can be requested from Dolapo Akinrinade, WWU Public Records Officer at x2728 or dolapo.akinrinade@wwu.edu