Confidentiality Policy
Confidentiality Policy
Employees and personnel of Larsen & Toubro Limited and its subsidiary and
associate companies (“L&T Group”) have a duty of maintaining the
confidentiality of information received by them in the course of their
employment or engagement. This Confidentiality Policy documents the
confidentiality and non-disclosure duties and obligations of the employees and
personnel of L&T Group.
The employees and personnel of L&T Group will, in the course of their
employment and engagement, become aware of and possess information of
the L&T Group or of third parties disclosed to the L&T Group that is not
generally known. This may include information which if disclosed could
jeopardise the interests of the L&T Group. It may also include commercial
trade secrets disclosure of which could harm the interests of the L&T Group.
All employees and personnel of the L&T Group have a duty to keep such
information strictly confidential and to use it only for the proper purposes in
accordance with the law.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Confidentiality Policy is to lay down the principles that
must be observed by all who work with the L&T Group and have access to
confidential information.
3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Examples of confidential information include but are not limited to: any
document, discovery, invention, improvement, patent specification,
formulations, plans, ideas, books, accounts, data, reports, drafts of
documents of all kinds, correspondence, client information, lists and files,
decisions, information about employees, strategies, drawings,
recommendations, designs, office precedents, policies and procedures,
budget and financial information in any form, i.e. physical, electronic, electro-
magnetic or otherwise.
Confidential information to do with unpublished inventions can be particularly
sensitive. Disclosure of an invention before a patent application is filed will
cause irreversible loss of intellectual property rights to the owner of the
invention. Even after a patent application is filed, care must be taken not to
disclose improvements to the invention. Trade secret protection will also be
lost through open disclosure of the secret.
4. PRINCIPLES
L&T Group expects all of its employees and personnel to handle all
confidential information in a sensitive and professional manner. L&T Group
employees and personnel are under an obligation not to gain access or
attempt to gain access to information which they are not authorised to have.
The L&T Group, however, recognises the importance of an open culture with
clear communication and accountability. The L&T Group wishes to maintain
personal and organisational safety and expects all employees and personnel
to handle confidential information in a way which protects organisational
security.
At the end of the period of employment, L&T Group employees and personnel
must return to the L&T Group:
• all confidential information in material form;
This policy will operate in conjunction with the contract of employment or letter
of appointment for L&T Group employees and personnel.
6. NEED TO KNOW
• With the written consent of his/her reporting superior of not lower than
Tier 4 and for a particular purpose.
• If the information is required by or under a Court order or of a statutory
authority, the employee or person will promptly notify the Company of
any such requirement to enable the Company to take necessary action
as deemed fit by the Company in the circumstances.
• Where disclosure can be justified for any other purpose. This is usually
for the protection of the public and is likely to be in relation to the
prevention and detection of serious crime. A request for information by
the police must be carefully considered.
The L&T Group employee must be able to justify any decision when
information has been disclosed.
8. STORAGE OF DATA
No written document containing confidential information must be left
visible where it can be read by anyone. This includes telephone
messages, computer prints, letters and other documents. All hardware
containing confidential information must be housed in a secure
environment. Security precautions must be taken in accordance with
the L&T Group Policy and Procedures.
9. THE MEDIA