The Consequences of Ignoring Confidentiality Provisions
A story has been in the news the past few weeks about a teenager who cost her family $80,000 because of a Facebook post. But this isn’t just a cautionary tale about inappropriate social media use. It’s a lesson on the consequences of ignoring confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements.
The girl’s father had filed an age discrimination complaint against his former employer – a preparatory school – when his contract wasn’t renewed. He and the school eventually reached a settlement worth over $80,000. Like many settlements, the final agreement contained a confidentiality provision.
Then came the post from the daughter boasting that they had won the case and that the school was now paying for their vacation to Europe. Once word spread, attorneys for the school informed the father he had violated the confidentiality provision and he would no longer being receiving the settlement. The Appeals court agreed.
This case is the perfect example of what can happen after a settlement has been reached. Parties often sign agreements, and before they even make it home are on their cell phones filling in friends and family on the details.
Many of these conversations will never get back to the employer. But they can. And the consequences can be drastic. At LeBlanc Law & Mediation, we advise our clients on their rights under the agreement and how to avoid breaching the contract when third parties ask about the outcome of the case.
If you have questions about an agreement you have signed or have been asked to sign, contact a Minneapolis employment law attorney with LeBlanc Law & Mediation at 612-337-9530.
