In some instances, “confidentiality” refers to not discussing internal goings-on with co-workers. In other instances, it refers to not sharing trade secrets and other company information with competitors, the press or anyone outside of your company. In every instance, a respect for confidentiality is essential to the success of your business. Below is an instance of a lack of confidentiality:

Alice is not well, and she has not yet told anyone about her condition. She comes to the notary to get a Will and a Power of Attorney signed. It so happens that she and the notary knew each other in high school years ago and they had a nice chat. Alice tells the notary about her illness.

That evening, the notary met another old friend (Jane) for dinner. While they were going down in the elevator, the notary told Jane about their mutual friend, Alice, and her illness. What the notary did not know is that Jane’s mother and Alice’s mother are still very close friends and see each other often. Jane tells her mother about poor Alice and her mother calls her friend to express how sorry she is about Alice.

In case you think this is unusual, it is not. These things happen on a regular basis.

I make it a practice not to bring what I have heard in the office out of the office, especially in an elevator or in a restaurant. I might recount a story, but I do not mention a name.

Documents are very important to the people who are signing them. They come to a commissioned officer to get a notary done and we need to make sure that the trust they place in us is not abused in any way.