...called non-disclosure agreements: what you need to know as a worker, to help employees understand what confidentiality agreements are (more popularly known as NDAs) and information they need to know when faced with non-disclosure agreements.
The guidance although significantly brief in comparison to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) warning notice on the use of NDAs, summarises what confidentiality agreements cannot lawfully restrict an employee from doing, requiring employees to seek independent legal advice before signing NDAs, and informing employees to ensure any restrictions to be imposed through NDAs benefits them too.
The Law Society has stated that this guidance is part of their recently launched public legal education initiative, which is to "provide people with awareness, knowledge and understanding of rights and legal issues, together with the confidence and skills they need to deal with disputes and gain access to justice."
The Law Society have also stated this guidance will form part of a new set of guidance that will be made available directly to the public and disseminated through partner organisations and law firms.
Employers are again reminded to review and update (if appropriate) confidentiality clauses in their employment contracts and wording used in NDAs.