How to write factual, timely notes, correct mistakes honestly, handle incident and complaint records, and understand who may read records and how long they are kept.
You finish a long shift and realise you never wrote up what happened with a client at lunchtime. You could add it now and put the earlier time on it. This course explains why that is a bad idea, and what to do instead.
It covers everyday notes, timesheets, incident and complaint notes, who may read them and how long they are kept. The retention table names who each rule applies to, so you can see what does and does not apply to your job.
You can study and sit the assessment free, with no account. Free privacy training from the Privacy Commissioner and a short Inland Revenue video on business records are linked on this page, and you may prefer them. Pay only if you pass and want our certificate.
If you go straight to the assessment without completing the modules, your certificate is titled Certificate of Knowledge Assessment, because that is what it records.
Anyone can check a certificate on our verification page using its ID or QR code. More about the certificate.
No. It covers how to write and look after records, with a table of retention rules we checked. Your employer decides how its records work, and your sector may have its own rules. Ask your manager if you are unsure.
Not always. Section 258 of the Crimes Act 1961 depends on an intent to deceive for gain or to cause loss. Backdating is still wrong at work, because it makes the record false, and it can lead to serious consequences for you. Use a late entry instead.
Follow your workplace's procedure, which may be tailored to rules for your sector. If you think it leads to false or misleading records, raise that with a manager.
Most of the rules we checked put the duty on the employer, business or provider, not on individual workers. If you run your own business, the rules for businesses apply to you. Keep work records where your workplace says to keep them, not at home.
No. It is general information to help you keep good records. If you have a specific legal problem, talk to Employment New Zealand, Community Law or a lawyer.
Check with them first, because each employer decides what training it accepts. Health, disability and early childhood employers may run their own documentation training. The lessons and assessment are free, so you can decide about the certificate later.
The lessons are original summaries of these sources. For your own situation, the source is what counts.
Version 1.1.0, last checked 2026-11-03. Approved for publication by our editor on 2026-11-09. Not reviewed by an external professional. How we check our content.
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Free to study.
Certificate NZ$24.90 if you pass.