Appendix A

Confidentiality

Members of staff are specifically required to fulfil a duty of fidelity to the University as their employer, including a duty of confidentiality. During the course of employment members of staff must not disclose to third parties the University's confidential information and trade secrets obtained during the course of, and as a result of, the employment; or use the University's confidential information for their own purposes. Confidential information includes information which a member of staff is told is confidential or which, from its character, is obviously confidential.

This includes - but is not restricted to - the situation where a member of staff in an academic department is in a personal relationship with a member of staff in another department, including one in a professional/support directorate.

The Seven Principles of Public Life

Selflessness: Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

Integrity: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life