How Hayes Connor helps our clients after a recruitment data breach
At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we help our clients get the compensation they deserve. We do this following data protection breaches, cybercrime, and other online offences. One type of claim we see a lot of is recruitment data breaches.
Here is just one example of a recruitment data breath cases we helped our client with recently.
Sensitive information supplied as part of a job application was processed incorrectly
In this recruitment data breach, the individual managing the recruitment process wrongly addressed sensitive applicant information and failed to send it by recorded delivery or hand delivery. Despite this being the company's standard purported practice.
The documentation included the following material:
- A copy of the applicant's passport
- A copy of her driving licence
- Two letters to prove her address/identity
- A copy of her birth certificate
- Copies of her NVQ certificates.
The information has still not been recovered and therefore remains a potential threat to our client.
As a direct result of this data breach, our client has suffered severe psychological effects, including stress, anxiety and trauma. So much so that her GP has prescribed medication.
Council employee carries out personal data protection breach to help his partner get a job
In another high-profile recruitment data breach, a former senior local government officer was fined by the ICO. This came after he shared the personal information of rival job applicants with his partner. The man's partner had applied for a job at the council where he worked. As this could have meant other applicants lost out on the job unfairly, this was a severe personal data protection breach.
The data breached included the names, addresses, telephone numbers and CVs of each candidate. The breach also included the personal contact details for each of their two referees. This is a shocking violation of data protection laws.
Commenting on this case, Steve Eckersley, Director of Investigations at the ICO, said:
"People who supply their personal information to an organisation in good faith, such as when applying for a job, have a legal right to expect it will be treated lawfully and ethically.
Help is needed after a recruitment data breach
In many cases, data breaches such as this can be avoided by employees abiding by the data protection principles of their organisations. But it is up to these organisations to make sure that all staff receive regular data protection training. This is necessary to make sure they understand the potential consequences of breaching data protection laws. But all too often this isn't happening.
As you can see, the result of not looking after personal information properly could put people's mental health, and potentially even their lives at risk.
At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we are 100% committed to seeking the compensation necessary to help people get their lives back on track following a data breach. But we don't believe that our obligation to our clients stops there. We also provide a wide range of information to help our clients protect themselves once a breach has occurred.
Making a recruitment data breach claim
We help our clients to make compensation claims after their data was put at risk by the organisations they trusted to look after it.
Our professional, friendly team will advise you on whether you have a valid claim against a recruiter or employing organisation.
If we believe you have a substantial, complex case, we may be able to act for you on a NO WIN, NO FEE basis. Our process is fully compliant with ICO guidance, and we never put your details at risk. We will NEVER pass your details onto anyone without your permission.
Contact us today for a free initial assessment.
Data protection solicitors
At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we are committed to upholding the data protection rights of our clients. For more advice on your rights, and how to keep your data safe, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Alternatively, if you have been the victim of a data breach or cyber fraud, contact us to find out how we can help you to recover any losses.