I don't think any amount of record showing would prevent the problem that GP had. Regardless of how proactive GP were, management would probably simply say “you should have pushed harder”. Hindsight is 20/20 after all.
The difference can be big if you want to sue for unlawful termination or if you are sued if company claims you caused them damage. The bosses may have reasons to have some things off the record but you may have reasons to keep paper trail
