Business Protection - Confidential Information
30 January 2009
The CIPD have recently reported that there has been a dramatic increase in employees stealing confidential information from their former employers, taking with them client lists, and market data to help them set up their own business or to help them gain new business with their new employer. This kind of activity is believed to be as a result of the rising job insecurity.
Employers are urged to ensure that they have robust Business Protection and Confidentiality Agreements in place with their current employees with this being of particular importance for Senior Members of staff.
When going through redundancies or downsizing employers should consider the level of access warranted to sensitive data, in addition employees who either resign or are on notice should be considered a possible threat to the business, and employers should consider whether allowing such employees to serve the remainder of their notice on Garden Leave, or to pay them their notice pay up front.