This article provides general information and is not legal advice. For specific workplace issues, consult an employment attorney or your local labor agency. If your safety is at risk, contact law enforcement immediately.
- You lose access to company email, chat, and intranet the day you leave — save evidence while employed
- Forward emails or take screenshots to preserve key communications on personal devices
- Public-facing pages like job postings and company websites can be archived with Kiroku
- Organize evidence chronologically and consult a labor agency or attorney
When facing workplace harassment or wrongful termination, evidence is everything. Once you leave a job, you lose access to company email, internal chat, and intranet pages. This guide explains what evidence to save, how to save it, and how to organize it for filing a complaint with the EEOC or consulting an attorney.
Workplace harassment, wrongful termination, and hostile work environments are serious issues — but proving them requires evidence. The challenge is that most evidence lives on company systems: email, Slack, Teams, internal portals. Once you leave the company, that access disappears overnight.
This guide covers what workplace evidence to preserve, how to save it while you still have access, and how to organize it for filing a complaint with the EEOC (US), ACAS (UK), or consulting an employment attorney.
Why You Must Save Evidence While Still Employed
The moment you leave a company — whether you resign, are terminated, or are laid off — your access to company systems is revoked. Company email, Slack workspaces, Teams channels, internal wikis, HR portals, and shared drives all become inaccessible. If your evidence lives only on those systems, it is gone.
- Company email and chat accounts are typically deactivated on your last day
- Managers or HR may delete incriminating emails or messages
- Internal policy documents and handbooks can be updated or removed
- Your memory of specific dates, conversations, and incidents fades over time
Start preserving evidence the moment an issue arises. Waiting until you have decided to leave or file a complaint is often too late.
What Evidence to Save
The type of evidence you need depends on your situation, but the following categories cover most workplace disputes. Save as many types as possible while you have access.
- Harassing or discriminatory emails, messages, and comments
- Unreasonable work assignments, demotion notices, or performance reviews
- Employment contracts, offer letters, and job descriptions
- Company policies, employee handbooks, and HR guidelines
- The original job posting you applied to (for bait-and-switch claims)
- Time records, pay stubs, and overtime documentation
- Written complaints you filed with HR and any responses received
For every piece of evidence, make sure the date, sender, recipient, and subject are visible. A screenshot without context is much weaker than one with full headers.
How to Save Each Type of Evidence
Different types of evidence require different preservation methods. Use the approach that best fits the type of content and your company's policies.
| Evidence Type | How to Save | Kiroku? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work email | Forward to personal email or screenshot | No | If forwarding is prohibited, screenshot with headers visible |
| Slack / Teams | Screenshot or export | Partial (public channels) | DMs and private channels require screenshots |
| Internal web pages | Screenshot or print to PDF | Yes (public pages only) | Intranet pages are not accessible externally |
| Job postings | Kiroku | Yes | Best saved before you accept the offer |
| Time records | Screenshot | Partial | Screenshot your timecard or payroll portal |
| HR correspondence | Forward or screenshot | No | Save the full email thread including responses |
Kiroku can only archive pages accessible from the public internet. Internal tools like company Slack, intranet portals, and HR systems require screenshots or email forwarding.
Using Kiroku for Public-Facing Evidence
While Kiroku cannot access internal company systems, it is valuable for archiving publicly accessible pages — job postings, company career pages, press releases, and corporate policy pages. These pages are frequently updated or removed, making timely archiving important.
This could be a job posting, company about page, public press release, or corporate policy page.
No account is needed. Kiroku captures a screenshot, self-contained HTML, and AI summary automatically.
Use a Pro account and switch the archive to private so only you can access it. Useful for sensitive evidence.
Organizing Evidence and Filing a Complaint
Well-organized evidence makes a stronger case. Whether you are filing with the EEOC, ACAS, or consulting an attorney, presenting your evidence in a clear, chronological format helps professionals understand your situation quickly.
- Create a timeline of incidents with dates, people involved, and what happened
- Label each piece of evidence with what it proves (e.g., 'Harassing email from manager, March 15')
- Name files with dates for easy sorting (e.g., 2026-03-15-manager-email.png)
- Keep a list of all Kiroku archive URLs with descriptions
- Back up everything to personal cloud storage or a USB drive — never rely on company devices
- In the US, file with the EEOC within 180 days (or 300 days in some states) of the discriminatory act
- In the UK, contact ACAS for early conciliation before making an employment tribunal claim
Company laptops, phones, and cloud accounts are returned or revoked when you leave. Always save evidence to personal devices or personal cloud storage.
Summary
When facing workplace harassment or wrongful termination, evidence is everything. Once you leave a job, you lose access to company email, internal chat, and intranet pages. This guide explains what evidence to save, how to save it, and how to organize it for filing a complaint with the EEOC or consulting an attorney.
FAQ
Can I get in trouble for collecting evidence at work?
Documenting workplace issues is generally a protected activity, especially if you are filing a discrimination or harassment complaint. However, follow your company's policies on data handling. If unsure, consult an employment attorney before taking action.
Can I record conversations with my manager?
This depends on your jurisdiction. In the US, some states allow one-party consent recording (you can record if you are a participant), while others require all-party consent. Check your state laws and consult an attorney.
What if I have already left the company?
You likely no longer have access to internal systems. Focus on what you can still access: personal copies of emails, screenshots you already took, and public-facing pages that can be archived with Kiroku. Request your personnel file from HR — many states require employers to provide it.
How much evidence do I need?
Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on evidence that clearly shows who did what, when, and to whom. A pattern of behavior documented over time is more compelling than a single incident.
Should I report to HR before collecting evidence?
It depends on the situation. Having evidence before reporting can strengthen your case, as some employers may become less cooperative after a complaint is filed. Consult an attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Sources
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)https://www.eeoc.gov/
- ACAS — Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (UK)https://www.acas.org.uk/
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workplace Harassmenthttps://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/internal/policies/workplace-harassment
- National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)https://www.nlrb.gov/
Save evidence while you still have access
Once you leave a company, internal systems are locked. Public job postings and company pages can be archived with Kiroku — for free, with screenshot, HTML, and AI summary.