Trade unions are among those organisations that wish to regularise policies regarding the protection of data before the General Protection of Data Regulation (GPDR) comes into effect around the European Union on the 25 May 2018. 

Policies regarding data protection should ensure that all information is provided in a way that is easy to use and access. 

The GDPR of the European Union will replace all laws regarding data protection across EU member states. The regulation, which is significant and wide in scope, will modernise the way we look at safeguarding data. The GDPR will be expanding individuals’ rights to control how their personal information is gathered and processed. The regulation places a number of obligations on organisations, among them trade unions, which ensure that they are responsible for data protection. 

Conforming with the regulation requires adhering to principles of data protection. This means that one must be aware of the risks associated with data protection and one must put in place adequate policies and procedures to ensure that the principles of transparency and accountability are safeguarded as are the rights of persons and that a culture that safeguards the right to privacy and data security at the place of work is created. 

With a suitable framework in place that conforms with the above an organisation will not only avoid huge fines and a bad reputation but  

will also be in a position to prove to its clients how responsible and trustworthy it is while being able to gain value from the data it holds.