Settled case summary #4 — A federally regulated transportation company

Several employees of a federally regulated transportation company complained that a list of employees receiving severance packages, including names, identification and seniority numbers, and Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), was disclosed to their union without their knowledge or consent. The company admitted that the SINs were included on an electronic spreadsheet provided to the union, though in a hidden column. The employer did not obtain employee consent for this disclosure. During the investigation, the company changed its severance application process to no longer require SINs. The company also agreed to amend its application form to include a consent statement for the release of personal information to the union. The complaint was settled during the investigation.