CONFIDENTIALITY

Glossary of Terms

 
  • Breach: A failure to observe the terms of a law or promise; violation; infraction.
  • Confidentiality: Told in confidence; imparted in secret.
  • Ethical Conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group.
  • Illegal: Prohibited by law; against the law; not authorized or sanctioned.
  • Liability: The state of being legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs in a transaction.
  • Oath: A declaration that one will speak the truth, keep a promise, remain faithful.
  • Privacy: The quality or condition of being not publicly or generally known; secret, confidential.
  • Misappropriation: No employee (student) shall convert to his or her own use and benefit any funds or properly which are not rightfully his or hers, nor in such misappropriation.
  • Conflict of Interest: Employees (students) owe their primary business (work) loyalty to the "place" of employment. They must avoid situations in which their duties to the employer (work station)

    N.B. Outside interests (part-time jobs) must no conflict with the co-op program.
  • Client Privacy & Employer: Employees (students) must respect and discharge the firm’s obligation to its clients regarding the confidential of customer’s affairs. In addition certain information about the firm’s plans, methods and activities is considered by the firm to be proprietary and confidential and employees (students) must not disclose such information without proper authorization.
    •
  • Insider Information: Inside information about the firm’s (employer) affairs or those of clients (customers) shall not be used by employees (students) for their ow gain, or for that of others.
    N.B. If you do anything which is unethical.....remember it may be illegal.

  • Improper Payments, Employees (students) shall not use their employment

  • Gifts, Entertainment (work placement) status to seek personal gain from those doing business or seeking to d business with their employer (work station), nor accept such improper gain if offered.

    •

    N.B. Do not engage in any act which could be interpreted as seeking or receiving a bribe, kickback or questionable payment.......for service rendered. Honorariums or small gifts are acceptable.

    EXAMPLE OF A CONFIDENTIALITY CONTACT

     

    Understanding and Agreement Respecting

    Confidentiality

    I, , understand that the information and documents with which I will be working as a volunteer/student at the regional municipality of Niagara , department of social services, are confidential. I promise and agree to not disclose or give to any person any information or documents that may come to my knowledge or into my possession in the course of my placement with the regional municipality of Niagara except as I may be legally required.

     

    (Witness’ Signature)


    (Volunteer/Student Signature)

    (Date)

    CONFIDENTIALITY

    All of us have told people information about ourselves and found out later that information we thought would be kept in strictness confidence was told to others.

    There is a difference between gossip and confidentiality. When information that is intended to be kept confidential, is disclosed to others, problems occur. There are job areas where confidentiality must be signed as part of the work agreement.

    What Are Two Answers to Each of the Following Questions?

    1. Why do people gossip?

    a)

    b)

    2. What possible results could occur due to gossip?

    a)

    b)

    3. How are gossiping and breach of confidence different?

    a)

    b)

    4. How can you, as an employee, control gossiping and breach of confidence?

    a)

    b)

    Write the Meaning for Each one of These Terms:

    1. Confidentiality .

    2. Liability .

    3. Conflict of Interest .

    4. Oath .

    5. Breach .

    6. Ethical .

    7. Illegal .

    8. Privacy .

    Case Studies

    A) A co-op student working with nurses in a local hospital, learns that another student from his/her high school has just be admitted to the maternity ward. The next day, "everyone at school" is talking about this. What would you say to the co-op student?

    .

    B) S co-op student working in the local Police Department has access to the many types of records. Included in theses are records of arrests/convictions of other students. What would you warn this co-op student about this situation?

    .

    C) Records of charge accounts , sales records are part of the responsibilities of a co-op student working in the Accounting Department of a local retailer. What should this student be reminded about?

    .

    D) A co-op student works as a pharmacist’s assistant in a local drug store. He/she often meets friends and acquaintances as customers for all types of medications. What would you suggest as a guideline to this student’s behaviour?