The Importance of Confidentiality Training in the Work Place: Confidentiality Works in Two Directions

Confidentiality training in the workplace is vital. Non-disclosure of information to unauthorized individuals is a basic principle of confidentiality. This is something employers have to practice and employees have to learn, wherever they work.Confidentiality works in two different directions, that of the employer and also that of the employee.

It is important because a breach in confidentiality by an employee can result in serous problems, including his or her instant dismissal. Employees expect confidentiality from their employers. Confidentiality becomes even more important when it comes to medical ethics, research and bioethics.

Dictionary.com suggests confidentiality is “the principle in medical ethics that the information a patient reveals to a health care provider is private and has limits on how and when it can be disclosed to a third party.”

Imagine the distress of a dying patient when his or her personal information and medical history, suddenly appears on the Internet. That should not happen regardless of who the health care provider is for this particular patient. Inappropriate disclosure of medical information, constituting a breach in confidentiality, may have severe consequences adversely affecting other family members. A breach of confidentiality can result in a serious lawsuit in the medical realm.

A breach in confidentiality has implications in other areas because confidentiality implies “the nondisclosure of information except to another authorized person”. There are times when disclosure of information to others is appropriate and essential. For example, a physician has to refer his or her patient to a specialist. Disclosed medical information leads to more advanced medical care. 

In the realm of scientific research, confidentiality implies “protection of study participants such that an individual participant’s identity cannot be linked to the information provided to the researcher and is never publicly divulged.”

For instance, genetic research may reveal personal information a person may not wish to have disclosed to others. For example, a young man learns who his real father is, but does not want other family members to have information that would disclose the reality of his heritage.        

“A substantive rule in bioethics saying that the information a patient reveals to a health care provider is private and has limits on how and when it can be disclosed to a third party; usually the provider must obtain permission from the patient to make such a disclosure.”

Even in non-professional employment circles, confidentiality is an important aspect of employee training. 

Every job description contains some element of confidentiality and non-disclosure to protect the company or organization, as well as the employer. For example, a company bookkeeper and accountant will have access to the financial records of a company, but others do not. It is not pubic knowledge and may affect the company’s future.

Employee’s personal information only goes to authorized individuals, so confidentiality works in the employee’s favor too.  

In every workplace, employees receive training with respect to maintaining confidentiality. Adherence to basic principles of confidentiality by employers and employees is vital.