When to ask for copy of proprietary information agreement?

Before the employee separates, make sure you have a signed copy of the company’s proprietary information agreement. When an employer suspects that its confidential information has been retained or, worse, is being used, the first thing external counsel will ask for is to see a copy of the employee’s signed agreement.

What happens when an employee takes proprietary materials?

The risk that a current or departing employee will misappropriate proprietary company information is ever-present for government contractors. A government contractor employee might take company documents or data for any number of reasons.

Do you have to disclose information about former employees?

Large companies typically have policies regarding the disclosure of former employee information, but may not. Many smaller employers don’t have a policy at all or aren’t aware of or concerned about legal liability issues.

Are there limits to what an employer can say about former employees?

Are there limits to what an employer can say about you? There are no federal laws restricting what information an employer can – or cannot – disclose about former employees.

Who is entitled to access to proprietary information?

Employees are not the only ones with access to proprietary information. Third parties, such as vendors and consultants, frequently need access to this information. All these third parties should also sign nondisclosure agreements. 5. Comingling proprietary and routine information. Your company’s proprietary information is special.

When to make an exception for proprietary information?

If you require all employees to sign nondisclosure or noncompete agreements, don’t make an exception for someone you consider a friend or who you could ever see using proprietary information against you. This may sound cynical, but I’ve seen many companies burned by key employees who management never imagined would harm the company.