You've Got to Be Kidding!: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Integrity

Nan DeMars’s Up Close and Personal Confidentiality Audit with Your Manager

The following are some examples of questions to ask in this one-on-one conversation. Persist and insist that your manager make his or her answers as specific and explicit as possible. You need to feel confident as your manager’s information gatekeeper.

• What exactly does your “open door” policy mean?
• Who has access to your office when you are not here?
• What materials/files/records do you value most?
• What employee/company/customer information do you always wish to know?
• If I hear gossip, what do you want me to do? (This information is difficult to predict, but the question launches the conversation).
• What documents are strictly confidential—for your and my eyes only?
• Are any items off limits to me?
• Do I have the authority to open any type of package or mail?
• Besides the two of us, who else has access to ______ information?
• What information can I share relating to current projects, and with whom?
• Do you prefer to personally approve all requests for access to restricted materials? When can I use my own judgment?
• Is anyone else allowed to use your computer? Under what circumstance, if any, would this be allowed?
• How should I handle requests from others for information, documents, computer files, and so on when you are unavailable? And, finally . . .
• Do you have any particular pet peeves regarding confidentiality?