For how long should we retain interview records?

The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) does not specify any documentation retention periods; Schedule 1, paragraph 5 simply provides that personal data should not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it is processed. However, Part 2 of the Information Commissioner's Employment Practices Code considers data protection in employment records and makes a number of recommendations that an employer should consider when deciding on the retention of employee records, balancing an employer's need to keep records and a worker's right to respect for their private life. Part 1 of the Employment Practices Code also makes a number of specific recommendations regarding retention of