Everyday Workplace Policies

8. Confidentiality

8.1 Divulging commercially significant trade secrets to a competitor, even unwittingly, could be grounds for dismissal.

• Consider restricting such information to the people who need to know.

8.2 If you want people to be careful about sensitive information, explain the need for discretion.

• Otherwise, junior finance assistants, for example, might inadvertently mention your business' cash problems to suppliers.

8.3 Decide which types of information must be kept in locked cabinets. For example, personnel files and payroll details.