Partner Article
Shredding Business Documents
In this article, you will learn the importance of shredding paper and the best ways to do so.
Importance of Shredding Paper
Let it be known from the outset that shredding important documents is necessary for all businesses, regardless of their size. This is simply because all businesses do have papers that contain discreet financial information.
Even small businesses will have to conduct the process. To begin with, you are obligated to protect the private information of any person whom you employ and pay national insurance employment tax. Otherwise you become accountable.
Laws pertaining to the privacy of the citizen stipulate that identity information at your end should be kept safe. This also includes papers that are disposed. Another act related to this topic was implemented in 2003 known as FACTA, or Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
Under this act, chances of identity theft are reduced whereas accurate consumer credit reporting is ensured. Medical data of employees is protected under the 2002 amendment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
This act is basically related to the medical field but it covers the protection of employee’s medical information. Both of the above mentioned acts have rigid specifications for the disposal of data both on paper and computer hard drives.
Hence, any business that fails to take care of financial and identity information in the organization can face legal action. This also holds true if the organization itself misuses the personal data. It would have to pay damages and fines.
Moreover, the laws are so stringent that even if a business disposes their documents and someone extracts them from rubbish and puts them to illegal use, the company would still be held liable. That is why it is wise for any business to shred its documents instead of throwing them in rubbish.
Most importantly, shredding is not an expensive process. In addition, it is environmentally friendly as well, which means you are protecting the identity of your customers and employs along with playing your part to serve nature.
Professional Shredding Services
Since we have established the importance of paper shredding for all businesses, we now have to look at the most effective way of completing this process. Basically, there are two ways in which you can shred documents. You can either ask your employees to do it within the organization or you can outsource the whole ordeal to a professional shredding firm.
Within the Organization
When you plan on destroying your documents on your own, it is obvious you will have to use extra money, time and space. You will have to invest in paper shredding machines. Plus, not everyone is apt in operating a paper shredder and learning will take time.
If the volume of documents is large, you will need adequate space to conduct the whole process. But more importantly, your employees will spend a lot of time shredding papers, time that can be used in other productive activities that will ultimately benefit your business.
Professional Shredding Services
For the reasons outlined in the previous section, hiring professional services is the most effective option for your business. A good shredding company will use the latest machines operated by qualified experts which ensures that your documents are safely destroyed in the shortest time.
Finally, outsourcing document shredding to a reliable firm keeps your company in the good books of the authorities. When you shred documents in a timely manner, you will receive certificates that will prove that your business conforms to the privacy laws of the country.
Author’s Bio
Jack William provides professional shredding services to small businesses. He also researches and writes on cost cutting methods that small firms can use to improve profitability.
This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by saptarshi masid .
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