Benefits August 24, 2004

Firms Keep Worker Data Close to the Vest

August 24, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The overwhelming majority (95%) of HR professionals keep employee personnel files under lock and key and restrict the number of people able to access them.
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That was one finding of a recent Web survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), an HR trade group, about what companies are doing to protect their workers against dangers such as identity theft.

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In addition to keeping HR data locked away, the poll also found that companies are limiting the use of social security numbers on time sheets, computer log-ins and forms. Other responses included:

  • 54% said their organization had a written privacy policy safeguarding employee data
  • 49% said they conduct background checks on employees who have access to employee files
  • 24% said they educate employees on fraud prevention
  • 21% said their organization has a company policy on what to do in the event employee information is compromised
  • 2% said their organization contracts with an outside firm that helps employees who are victims of identity theft.

The survey covered 419 HR professionals, according to a SHRM news release.

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