{"id":179391,"date":"2023-01-31T02:12:25","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T02:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=179391"},"modified":"2025-02-26T09:55:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T09:55:31","slug":"employee-leaks-confidential-information","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/employee-leaks-confidential-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Actions to Take if an Employee Leaks Confidential Information in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most businesses in the UK will handle confidential information. As an employer, this means that both you and your staff may have access to sensitive information, and you will expect your employees to treat the confidential information with care and not breach or misuse it. However, you may face a situation involving confidentiality breaches by a staff member, where, for example, they may leak information to your business competitors. Where your staff breach confidential information, you will need to take action. Breach of confidential information, when intentionally done, can be considered gross misconduct and have serious implications for your reputation and financial loss for your business. This article will explore actions to take if an employee leaks confidential information in the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is Confidential Information?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/data-privacy-it\/protect-confidential-information\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confidential information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is information in your business that is protected. It is protected either because:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">your employees have been made aware that it is confidential; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">it is evident to your employees that they should not use it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You may inform your employees about confidential information through clauses in their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/importance-employment-contracts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">employment contracts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and employment policies, procedures and rules.\u00a0<\/span>You might also have separate <a href=\"http:\/\/Simple steps include sharing only what is necessary and on a need-to-know basis, using strong security measures when sharing confidential information, and limiting access to specific individuals.\" data-wplink-url-error=\"true\">confidentiality agreements<\/a> in place that specifically outline what your business considers to be trade secrets or non-public information.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confidential information could be, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">employees\u2019 personal information, such as bank details and home addresses; or<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business information, such as customer lists and financial information.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A breach of confidential information is when confidential information is disclosed without permission from the person who owns the information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Actions When an Employee Leaks Confidential Information<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You should take immediate action if your employee or staff member leaks confidential information. For example, you may need to inform the affected party about the breach, perhaps through a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/data-privacy-it\/benefits-data-protection-officer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data Compliance Officer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. However, as an employer, you will need to take action in terms of the member of staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Below is a guide about what you should do regarding your member of staff who leaks confidential information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Inform Your Staff Member<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first action to take is to inform your staff member that you are aware of their breach. When doing so, you should ask them to give you confirmation that they will no longer misuse the confidential information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Consider Disciplinary Action<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When your staff breaches confidentiality, it will likely be a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/conduct-disciplinary-investigation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">disciplinary matter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. However, before you can decide this, you will need to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">determine if you have made it clear in your employment rules, policies and procedures that your staff cannot breach confidential information and what the consequences may be if they do; and<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">promptly investigate the matter. A thorough investigation will require you to gather evidence, interview staff members, and ask for witness statements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Take Formal Disciplinary Action<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The outcome of your investigation will determine whether you need to take formal disciplinary action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You do not need to commence formal action if your employee did not intend to leak confidential information but instead made a mistake. For example, they may have been rushing when sending an email. In this instance, an informal letter may be appropriate, warning them that you will take formal disciplinary action if the behaviour is repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Where your member of staff\u2019s breach of confidential information was intentional, you may decide to take formal disciplinary action. It is best practice to follow your disciplinary and grievance procedures in these circumstances, which should be full and fair. You will need to hold a formal disciplinary meeting, which will lead you to decide what steps to take, including potential termination of employment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When choosing what action to take, consider the effect of the breach on your business in terms of reputation and financial loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"not-prose\">0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent 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Consider Legal Action<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suppose the employee does not satisfactorily confirm they will stop misusing your confidential information. Alternatively, your employee may have disappeared from work. In that case, you may be able to make a legal claim against them. Your claim could be in the form of a legal injunction (a ban on your employee from using the confidential information) or damages (monetary compensation for loss due to their breach). The court will decide which remedy is suitable for the circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your staff member leaks confidential information, this is serious regarding their employment with you and the effects on your business. Therefore, you will need to take action when discovering a breach of confidentiality. You should carry out a full investigation to allow you to establish what has happened. Your investigation will help determine future action, such as commencing formal disciplinary action. A breach of confidential information could ultimately result in your termination of the employment of a member of staff or even legal action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need help understanding what actions to take when an employee breaches confidentiality, our experienced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment-lawyers-lp\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">employment lawyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents for a low monthly fee. Call us today on <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"AVANSERnumber dynamic-number\">0808 196 8584<\/a> or visit our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/membership\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">membership page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1675130907715\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is a breach of confidential information?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A breach of confidential information is where a member of staff shares confidential information without the permission of the person who owns it.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1675130914807\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Should I take formal disciplinary action when a staff member breaches confidentiality?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">When your staff member leaks confidential information, you will likely need to take formal disciplinary action. However, this will depend predominantly on whether the breach was intentional, and you will need to investigate to establish this. It is best practice to conduct informal procedures first, such as speaking to the employee in question.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<div class=\"not-prose m-feedback-prompt\">\n    <!-- Thumbs up\/down bar -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__main\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__title\">Was this article helpful?<\/div>\n        <div>\n            <!--span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button--text\">Thanks!<\/span-->\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--yes\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\" aria-label=\"Agree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-up fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--no\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\" aria-label=\"Disagree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-down fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Feedback form -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--thanks \">\n            <div>Thanks!<\/div>\n            <p>\n                We appreciate your feedback \u2013 your submission has been successfully received.            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--form\" action=\"\" method=\"post\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"11ba8863dd\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179391\" \/>            <input value=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/employee-leaks-confidential-information\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\"\n                   id=\"currenturl\">\n            <input value=\"Actions to Take if an Employee Leaks Confidential Information in the UK\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\"\n                   id=\"currenttitle\">\n            <label>\n                <!-- display on thumbs-up -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--yes\">\n                    Can you tell us <span class=\"font-semibold\">why<\/span> you found it helpful?\n                <\/span>\n\n                <!-- display on thumbs-down -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--no text-lg\">\n                    How can we better improve this article?\n                <\/span>\n                <textarea name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\" required><\/textarea>\n            <\/label>\n\n            <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--error\" id=\"form-submit-error\"><\/div>\n            <button id=\"submit-contact-form-button\" type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--submit\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n                Submit            <\/button>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most businesses in the UK will handle confidential information. As an employer, this means that both you and your staff may have access to sensitive information, and you will expect your employees to treat the confidential information with care and not breach or misuse it. However, you may face a situation involving confidentiality breaches by<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/employee-leaks-confidential-information\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Actions to Take if an Employee Leaks Confidential Information in the UK&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13326,"featured_media":3246,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1912,2015,1758,177242,4186,176736","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[20,21,277,445,446,680],"class_list":["post-179391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employment","tag-small-business","tag-medium-business","tag-confidential-information","tag-workplace-confidentiality","tag-confidentiality-clause","tag-breach-of-contract"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Employee Leaks Confidential Information | LegalVision UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When your staff member leaks confidential information, you will likely need to take formal disciplinary action. 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Prior to her freelance writing work, Clare worked for UK central government in policy and communication roles. She has also run her own businesses where she founded a magazine and was editor-in-chief. She is currently studying part-time towards a PhD predominantly in international public law. Qualifications: PhD, Human Rights Law (underway), University of Bedfordshire, Post graduate diploma, Law, Middlesex University.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ms-clare-susannah-f-4a243545\/"],"url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/author\/clarefarmer\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/employee-leaks-confidential-information\/#faq-question-1675130907715","name":"What is a breach of confidential information?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A breach of confidential information is where a member of staff shares confidential information without the permission of the person who owns it.","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/employee-leaks-confidential-information\/#faq-question-1675130914807","name":"Should I take formal disciplinary action when a staff member breaches confidentiality?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"When your staff member leaks confidential information, you will likely need to take formal disciplinary action. However, this will depend predominantly on whether the breach was intentional, and you will need to investigate to establish this. It is best practice to conduct informal procedures first, such as speaking to the employee in question.","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/13326"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179391"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":192835,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179391\/revisions\/192835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}