Question

Inherent in the role of HR are confidentiality and privacy. While confidentiality is an ethical duty, privacy is:

A. A guarantee that employers must make to employees B. A right rooted in common law
C. Never an issue in American workplaces
D. A professional obligation of all certified professionals

Answer 1

Privacy is a right rooted in common law, involving the ability to control personal information and decisions. It is protected by various legal standards and is essential for maintaining individual autonomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

While confidentiality is an ethical duty, privacy is a right rooted in common law. Privacy is the ability to think, speak, and behave without being monitored or surveilled, as referenced by various legal standards, such as the UK Human Rights Act of 1998 which articulates the right to respect for private and family life, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which protects patient information in the United States. Thus, the answer to the student's question is 'B. A right rooted in common law.'

The right to privacy is a fundamental aspect of civil liberty, which includes the right to make personal decisions and maintain autonomy over personal matters. It is a space separate from public life that allows individual personal autonomy. This right has been a subject of contentious debate in various contexts, including medical confidentiality, business operations, and personal freedoms.