Confidentiality clauses are provisions within an Employment Contract/Agreement that should not be taken lightly. When carefully drafted, they can and have been known to be strictly enforced by the Courts and can be cause for some serious implications. With that being said, employers and employees should consult with an employment law expert to get advice on how to best protect their interests. Employees should read and understand their Confidentiality clause to ensure that their rights are protected under the law.

In Patrick Snay v. Miami’s Gulliver Preparatory School, the Courts enforced the Confidentiality provision, even after reaching a resolution. Mr. Snay was ordered by the Court to repay the entire settlement for breach of the Confidentiality clause. While the case of Jan Wong, a former Globe and Mail columnist who published a book about his employment settlement, was ordered by the Court to repay the entire settlement and cover the Globe’s legal fees. This demonstrates the gravity of a well written Confidentiality clause and the effective use of the legal language.