The Records Management and Privacy Office has created three new online courses for Queen’s employees to boost their knowledge and understanding regarding the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FIPPA) and responsibilities for personal information.

The first course – Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy: An Overview – is now available and takes approximately one hour to complete. This course is a primer for all employees on the university's legislated responsibilities for access to information and protection of privacy.

“This is foundational training for all employees – faculty, staff, TAs, executives – everyone employed by the university,” says Carolyn Heald, Director, University Records Management and Chief Privacy Officer. “We all need to understand our responsibilities under FIPPA for protecting the privacy of personal information of those who study, work or otherwise interact with Queen’s. The university has a responsibility to be transparent about its operations, so we need to know that records we create and keep may be requested under an access to information request. This course is very much focused on providing practical guidance to assist employees meet our legislated responsibilities under FIPPA.”

The second course – Access and Privacy at Queen's University: An In-depth Look – will offer an advanced understanding of access and privacy in the workplace. The course covers what employees can expect during an access to information request, and provides helpful guidance in protecting privacy of personal information.

The third course – Records Management Basics – covers all aspects of the records lifecycle from creation to disposal. The aim of the course is to provide employees with information on handling both paper and electronic records in order to assist them in their day-to-day work.

The Access and Privacy, and Records Management courses are scheduled to be available in September.

All three courses are accessed in the Training section of the Records Management and Privacy Office website.