Confidentiality policy why is it important

Unsurprisingly, patient confidentiality is highly important for therapists and counsellors. It forms part of the therapeutic frame of appropriate boundaries, which creates a safe space for a good working relationship to form. Accounting consultants have a responsibility to act in their clients' best interests. As an accountant, you're required to comply with codes of practice when handling confidential information, which means clients often speak openly and reveal information to you that could damage their business if it got into the wrong hands.

As an HR consultant, maintaining confidentiality when working with a client is essential for building integrity with business leaders and management. Clients must be able trust you to openly share the information you need to do your job. A confidentiality policy should also describe the level of privacy employees can expect relating to their own personal property e.

Train management and employees on confidentiality policy: Oftentimes, simply having a written confidentiality policy is not enough. Management and employees should be allowed an opportunity to ask questions about the policies, and everyone should be trained to avoid putting sensitive information in e-mails.

All the policies, procedures and training in the world will not matter if those policies and procedures are not enforced. These agreements go by many names. These agreements are vital to most businesses today, especially considering the ease in which employees can now electronically transfer large amounts of information, much of which would be incredibly damaging in the hands of a competitor.

When it comes to confidentiality, prevention and deterrence is key. Please purchase a SHRM membership before saving bookmarks. OK Join. An error has occurred. From Email. To Email. Send Cancel Close. Post a Job See All Jobs. HR Daily Newsletter News, trends and analysis, as well as breaking news alerts, to help HR professionals do their jobs better each business day.

Contact Us SHRM Confidentiality definition. What is confidential information? Examples of confidential information are:. Medical information. Names, dates of birth, addresses, contact details of staff, clients, patients, pupils, etcetera. Personal bank details and credit card information. Images of staff, pupils or clients that confirm their identity and can be linked to additional personal information.

National Insurance numbers. Payroll numbers. Exam results. Business and marketing plans. Information received from third parties. Company initiatives. Company financial accounts information. Information relating to intellectual property, invention or patent. Research data. Passwords and related IT information. Why is confidentiality important? Confidentiality is important because:.

It builds trust. It promotes confidence in the healthcare system, in the school system, in the workplace etcetera. It prevents misuse of confidential information illegal or immoral use. It protects reputation. Employment may depend on it e. It ensures compliance with the law. What is confidentiality in health and social care? The guide is focused on five main confidentiality rules:.

Information that is shared for the benefit of the community should be anonymised. The Human Rights Act The Care Act The Data Protection Act Common Law on confidentiality.