Privacy Confidentiality and Ethics in the Workplace Before

Privacy, Confidentiality, and Ethics in the Workplace Before an issue occurs, think about what you would (and/or should) do

• Even if you aren’t working with customers’ personal information (like at a bank), you will be involved in interactions and relationships that require thinking about privacy, confidentiality, and ethics. Why bother?

• PRIVACY = your ability to select or choose which information will be given out about you, as well as what information should be kept secret from other peoples’ knowledge You have the right to protect your privacy (through the Canadian Privacy Law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). ex: No one can demand your sexual orientation Privacy & Confidentiality

• CONFIDENTIALITY = keeping private information private; not sharing entrusted secrets; acting in a manner indicating trust and confidence All workplaces have information and activities that need to be kept confidential. ex: Doctor’s office with patient information or health history Privacy & Confidentiality

• Banks and doctors’ offices keep information about clients and patients that is, by its definition, private. • Information such as existing, or previous illnesses, financial problems etc, must be kept confidential by the employees of these establishments. • It is expected by most people that these things are common sense…but what if you don’t work in one of these businesses? Privacy & Confidentiality

• ETHICS = moral principles that govern right and wrong behaviour for individuals Although different than privacy and confidentiality, ethics work together to ensure a workplace is fair and respectful to employees, employers, and customers. Ethics

• Depending on the placement you receive, you may be using technology at your job. As you are aware, issues regarding privacy, confidentiality, and ethics need to be considered when using technology Technology’s Role

• Q: If you have access to a computer for your job, should you access sites such as Facebook, You. Tube, private email etc? Why/Why not? (are there exceptions? ) Technology’s Role

• A: As a rule, you should not access sites you visit at home, as when you are at work, you should be working! (if you are not busy, either find something to do that would be helpful, or ask what else can be done). Most companies do check up on employees’ internet usage and sites visited. Technology’s Role

• A: Do not send or receive personal emails during work hours. You are there to be a productive member of the team, do not do something you can (and should) be doing at home during your free time. Technology’s Role

• A: If you accidentally (or in the course of work) see personal information about a colleague or client, do not repeat the information to others. Technology’s Role

• A: A company’s business information needs to be kept private. For example, competitors could use information to get ahead. Technology’s Role

• How do these three words apply to your working attitude and behaviour? * discuss * Responsibility, Respect, & Honesty

• If you are confronted with an unethical situation, especially if it is illegal, immoral, unsafe, or will hurt another, you are NOT bound by the same rules. • Can you think of some examples of such situations? * discuss * Exceptions

• Is abusing a power relationship, such as a teacher-student relationship, or a doctor-patient relationship unethical? • YES! - because it directly breaches the codes of practice that are used in professions such as education and health. • Ex. dating a student; withholding (even hinting at it) care unless information is given that benefits the powerful party – ex. Financial information or benefits of any nature Exceptions