Confidential Information – Top Tips For Protecting It When Your Employees Leave

Imagine this scenario:

A key employee has been working with you for several years. He comes to see you on a Friday afternoon to hand in his notice. When you ask him why he is leaving he replies that he thinks its time for a change. He's been offered a promotion with a pay rise elsewhere and it's just too good an opportunity to turn down. What are your thoughts on hearing this news? Do you wonder what the employee may have done to impress his new employer - promises of client lists and contact details perhaps, or copies of business plans and sensitive marketing reports? In a very recent High Court case, shortly before his resignation, an employee had photocopied documents, downloaded some onto a USB stick, and forwarded others to his private email account. He also gave a copy of his Outlook contacts to his new employer and shared other information. Fortunately for the employer, it was able to persuade the High Court to order an injunction to prevent any further use