Privacy Policy
In provision of my services I may collect, use and disclose personal information concerning current, past or potential clients, employees, donors and volunteers. At Eric's Studio, respecting and protecting this personal information is a priority. For this reason, steps have been taken to ensure that personal information collected by the organization is handled with care and integrity in order to protect the privacy interests of all concerned.
What is personal information? Personal information is any information that can be linked to a specific individual. Some examples include: income source, race, age, marital status, religion, employment history, credit history, email address and assets. Eric's Studio may collect personal information to establish eligibility for service, and to create and maintain personnel files for staff.
What is NOT considered personal information? Personal information does not include the name, title, address and telephone number of an individual. (Anything considered as “Phone Book Information”) Eric's Studio collects, uses and discloses personal information from clients to the extent required to serve the client fully and professionally. Eric's Studio is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information and protecting all personal information in its possession or control. This policy sets out the principles and procedures that are followed in meeting this commitment.
Principle # 1: Eric's Studio is accountable for the personal information in its possession. People who work for me sign and agree to honour confidentiality agreements.
Principle # 2: Eric's Studio identifies the purposes for which it collects personal information from clients. Information is collected only to provide the services that the client has requested.
Principle # 3: The client’s consent is obtained before collecting personal information from that client. Such information could include: financial information (e.g. credit ratings, etc.).
Principle # 4: Eric's Studio collects only the information required to fully and properly provide the service that is requested by the client.
Principle # 5: Eric's Studio uses or discloses personal information only for the purposes for which it has consent. The information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill those purposes.
Principle # 6: Eric's Studio endeavors to keep accurate, complete and up-to-date information and encourages clients to update their personal information as required.
Principle # 7: Eric's Studio protects the privacy of personal information in its possession by using appropriate safeguards. Physical security (e.g. restricted access, locked filing cabinets) is maintained over personal information stored in hard copy form. Authentication is used to prevent unauthorized access to personal information stored electronically. Each position (staff and volunteer) has access only to the personal information necessary to carry out the responsibilities for that position.
Principle # 8: Eric's Studio is open about the procedures it uses to manage personal information and it responds in a timely fashion to requests from clients about their personal information. To inquire about personal information clients are asked to provide an email message or letter addressed to me at: eric@ericsstudio.com
Principle # 9: Clients may challenge Eric's Studio’s compliance with its Privacy Policy. The organization has policies and procedures to receive, investigate and respond to client complaints and questions relating to privacy. To challenge compliance, clients are asked to provide an email message or letter addressed to the Privacy Officer. The Privacy Officer will ensure that a complete investigation of any concern is undertaken and will report the results of the investigation to the client, usually within 30 days.