General Education Development (GED) Practice Exam

What confidentiality issues might arise from giving employees unlimited access to personal data?

1. None, the value of improved communication outweighs concerns

2. Many employees may object to their social security numbers being shared; publish birthdays only

3. Many employees may object to sharing their social security numbers; withhold both

4. Releasing any of this information violates employees' privacy

The correct answer is: Many employees may object to sharing their social security numbers; withhold both

The chosen answer highlights a significant privacy concern regarding the protection of sensitive information like social security numbers. Employees often expect that certain personal data, especially identifiers like social security numbers, should remain confidential due to the risk of identity theft and other malicious uses. This answer emphasizes the importance of safeguarding such information, making it clear that sharing it can lead to discomfort among employees and violate their expectations of privacy. In this context, many employees may reasonably object to their personal data being widely shared, particularly sensitive information that could expose them to financial risk if it falls into the wrong hands. The option suggests that withholding both social security numbers and other sensitive information is a prudent approach to maintaining employee trust and protecting privacy. Additionally, releasing any sensitive personal information without consent could infringe on privacy rights and lead to legal ramifications for the organization. Therefore, taking a cautious approach by restricting access to these types of data aligns with best practices in handling employee information, which helps prevent potential issues related to breaches of confidentiality and employee relations.