Privacy Laws Are Now Something To Be Reckoned With

I have historically had little concern with privacy law in advising my clients. Yes, there are privacy commissioners, privacy acts and countless seminars instructing employers on the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of employee information.

Sometimes privacy goes too far, such as employers refusing to provide reference checks for fear of being sued, whether it be for defamation or privacy violation. This is despite the fact that the law protects employers saying even the worst things about former employees in references, just as long as they are being honest and not grossly negligent. And that is true even if the erroneous reference costs that employee a job.

I have had limited concern over privacy law because it was toothless.