Non-disclosure Policy Example

A Non-Disclosure Policy is a legal agreement that prohibits employees from disclosing confidential or proprietary information of the company to unauthorized individuals or entities. This policy helps to protect the company's trade secrets, intellectual property, and other confidential information from being disclosed or used for any unauthorized purpose. Here is an example of a Non-Disclosure Policy:

Definition of Confidential Information
Confidential information refers to any information, whether written or oral, that is not generally known to the public and that is of value to the company. This includes, but is not limited to, trade secrets, financial information, customer lists, marketing plans, and proprietary technology.

Prohibited Disclosures
Employees are prohibited from disclosing confidential information to any unauthorized individual or entity, including competitors, customers, suppliers, or any other third party. Employees must also take reasonable steps to protect confidential information from unauthorized disclosure, such as keeping it secure and limiting access to those who need to know.

Permitted Disclosures
Employees may disclose confidential information only with the prior written consent of the company or as required by law. In such cases, employees must notify the company of the request for disclosure and must cooperate fully with any efforts by the company to protect the confidentiality of the information.

Non-Compete Agreement
Employees may be required to sign a non-compete agreement as a condition of employment, which prohibits them from working for a competitor for a specified period of time after leaving the company. The non-compete agreement may also contain provisions related to the disclosure of confidential information.

Return of Confidential Information
Upon termination of employment or at the request of the company, employees must return all confidential information in their possession, including any copies or reproductions, to the company or certify in writing that such information has been destroyed.

Enforcement
Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. The company may also seek injunctive relief and damages for any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

The Non-Disclosure Policy should be communicated to all employees and made available to new employees upon hire. Employees should also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement acknowledging their understanding and agreement to comply with the policy. The policy should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.