At Grover Business Consultants, we prioritize maintaining the confidentiality of client information. The following key features of our Confidentiality Agreement are applicable to all our clients:
1. We do not disclose any information pertaining to our clients to any third parties.
2. We do not use our clients' identities or brands for our marketing purposes without their written consent.
3. We never provide our clients' names or information to other prospective clients for marketing purposes.
4. We do not sell or disclose our client list or client information to third parties.
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
It is understood and agreed that a Grover Business Consultants client may provide certain information that must be kept confidential. To ensure the protection of such information and to preserve any confidentiality necessary under patent and/or trade secret laws, it is agreed that:
1. Definition of Confidential Information:
Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, invention descriptions, technical and business information relating to proprietary ideas and inventions, patentable ideas, trade secrets, patent searches, existing and/or contemplated products and services, research and development, production, costs, profit and margin information, finances and financial projections, customers, clients, marketing, and current or future business plans and models. This applies regardless of whether such information is designated as “Confidential Information” at the time of its disclosure.
2. Disclosure Within Organization:
Grover Business Consultants shall limit the disclosure of confidential information within its organization to its directors, officers, partners, members, employees, and/or independent contractors (collectively referred to as “affiliates”) who need to know such information. Grover Business Consultants will not disclose confidential information obtained from the client unless required to do so by law.
3. Exclusions from Confidentiality:
This agreement imposes no obligation upon Grover Business Consultants with respect to any confidential information that:
a) Was in Grover Business Consultant's possession before receipt from the client.
b) Becomes a matter of public knowledge through no fault of Grover Business Consultants.
c) Is rightfully received by Grover Business Consultants from a third party not owing a duty of confidentiality to the client.
d) Is disclosed without a duty of confidentiality to a third party by, or with the authorization of, Grover Business Consultants.
e) Is public knowledge or available in the public domain.
f) Is independently derived by Grover Business Consultants.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Grover Business Consultants and its client concerning the disclosure of confidential information. Any addition or modification to this agreement must be made in writing and signed by both parties.
5. Severability:
If any provision of this agreement is found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall be enforced as fully as possible, and the unenforceable provisions shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit enforcement of the agreement as a whole.
6. Client Responsibility:
Clients are solely responsible for any consequences, losses, or damages that Grover Business Consultants may directly or indirectly incur or suffer due to any unauthorized activities conducted by the client. This may incur criminal or civil liability.
POLICY GUIDELINES FOR CONFIDENTIALITY
Grover Business Consultants adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines that align with professional standards and ethical requirements. These guidelines are as follows:
1. Confidentiality Principle:
Grover Business Consultants respects the confidentiality of information acquired through professional and employment relationships. This includes maintaining the confidentiality of information within the company and not disclosing confidential information acquired from prospective clients.
2. Inadvertent Disclosure:
Employees must be alert to the possibility of inadvertent disclosure, including in social environments, particularly to close business associates or immediate family members.
3. No Unauthorized Disclosure:
Confidential information acquired through professional and employment relationships shall not be disclosed outside the firm without proper and specific authority unless there is a legal or professional duty or right to disclose.
4. Use of Confidential Information:
Confidential information shall not be used for personal advantage or the advantage of a third party. Employees must not use or disclose any confidential information after the professional or employment relationship has ended.
5. Ensuring Confidentiality:
Reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that personnel under the company's control, and individuals from whom advice and assistance are obtained, respect the duty of confidentiality.
6. Circumstances for Disclosure:
Confidential information may only be disclosed under specific circumstances, including:
a) When required by law, such as during legal proceedings or to appropriate public authorities.
b) When permitted by law and authorized by the client.
c) When there is a professional duty or right to disclose, such as complying with peer review requirements or responding to inquiries by professional bodies.
7. Considerations for Disclosure:
When deciding whether to disclose confidential information, Grover Business Consultants considers:
a) The potential harm to any party if the client consents to disclosure.
b) Whether all relevant information is known and substantiated.
c) The type of communication and the intended recipients.
d) Whether the recipients are appropriate.
8. Ongoing Confidentiality:
The company continues to comply with confidentiality principles even after the end of the relationship with the client. When changing employment or acquiring a new client, prior experience may be used, but confidential information from previous relationships shall not be disclosed.
These guidelines ensure that confidentiality is maintained, serving the public interest by facilitating the free flow of information while protecting the interests of all parties involved.