Confidentiality of Business Information

Summary of Policy

This policy describes the expectations for employee management of business information and documents.

Affected Parties

All Groups

Policy Statement

Applies to: All employees 

Dartmouth employees, during the course of their employment, may have access to documents, data, or other information that is confidential and/or privileged from disclosure whether or not it is labeled or identified as "confidential" or "privileged." Examples include, but are not limited to, Dartmouth's financial information; research results; medical information regarding students, employees, or research subjects; and student educational records. Unless they have their department head's prior approval, employees may never, either during their Dartmouth employment or thereafter, disclose such information to persons outside Dartmouth or to persons inside Dartmouth who do not have a business need for such information. This does not include disclosures made in confidence to federal, state, or local government officials or Dartmouth officials for the sole purpose of reporting a suspected violation of law or as otherwise required by law. Employees are also expected to protect the integrity of business information as it might be transmitted verbally, through written or electronic means, both inside and outside the office. 

All documents produced or received by Dartmouth employees for business use shall remain the property of Dartmouth. Employees must return such documents to Dartmouth upon their separation from employment. 

Policy ID

032-0008

Effective Date

December 1, 2016

Last Revised Date

July 12, 2024

Division

Office of the President

Office of Primary Responsibility

Office of Human Resources (HR)

Last Reviewed Date

April 4, 2024

Next Review Date

2029