Confidentiality. If you abuse it, are you willing to pay the price?
This is an important topic for me, as in my business, it means everything. We transcribe what we hear, and generate a fine report for our clients, but if we were to take that information and announce it to the world, what would be the sense in bothering with returning to and billing the client at all
Our client’s work would be a waste of time.
Some think the word and the meaning behind it is a legal play to cover-up whatever they are not entitled to know. Some hear the word confidential and think it makes what they know worth more to others and are willing to sell it for a price. Others hear the word and find ways to turn information into rumors, using it to personally sway the thoughts of others to one side or another, not allowing a fair opinion be developed on the issues. And then, well, some just don’t think at all.
If taking a position where confidentiality is expected, even without a document stating so, use common sense that the information is confidential due to the consequences of incomplete, inaccurate information being leaked, or the leakage of confidential material being the destruction of someone else’s work – just to get started.
Just because you know something, doesn’t mean it is your responsibility to share this information with others.
So, before you share, care. Think about what the outcome will be when speaking on an item that belongs – yes belongs – to someone else.
It is not secret. It is not a cover-up. It is a matter of business. It is a matter of responsibility. It is a matter of morality. It’s a matter of professionalism.
Confidential information is confidential for a reason. Spilling the beans could and most often does, have some sort of monetary recourse for everyone involved. Are you willing to pay the fee?
At CLK Transcription, we offer every client, from the student to the journalist to the corporations, a confidentiality agreement. We also deal with clients who understand the importance of confidentiality and respect the meaning themselves.
We believe that if you don’t respect your own work, how will anyone ever respect yours.
www.clktranscription.com