Confidentiality is not just a matter of “keeping secrets.” The Human Resources department plays a pivotal role in helping maintain confidential information for the company. As a result, the HR person must be aware of the requirements of federal and state laws and practices of regulatory agencies and court actions. What do you do when an employee says to you “I want you to know but please keep it secret”? Are you aware of what constitutes “protected health information”? Who is your privacy officer? Are you up-to-date on the restrictions the National Labor Relations Board puts on your ability to require employees to keep company information confidential? If you are not aware of the EEOC, HIPAA, and NLRB requirements you may be subject to lawsuits and fines.
There are several laws that have specific requirements on how confidential information is to be dealt with.
By GREG CHARTIER