Confidentiality

Even if there is no express obligation of confidentiality, the implied duties of confidentiality and good faith prevent employees from disclosing information, such as client lists, that could damage your business.

In certain circumstances, however, your employee may be protected, where they disclose confidential information, under the provisions of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, on the basis that it relates to alleged wrongdoing by you as an employer. This is a complex area and you should ask advice before should this situation arise.

Finally, there will not be a breach of the duty of confidentiality, if the information disclosed is already in the public domain, such as that already in the trade presses for example.