Home » Data Privacy Framework

EU-US, Swiss-US, and UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

Human Synergistics, Inc.
Last reviewed August 2024

Human Synergistics, Inc. (“The Company”) has developed and provided high-quality assessments and simulations for individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations to actualize their potential since 1971. All of the survey instruments meet scientific standards for reliability and validity as defined by the American Psychological Association. The Company has always taken a number of steps to protect individuals’ privacy, including the safekeeping of individual survey responses.

Human Synergistics, Inc. complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (Swiss-U.S. DPF) as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Human Synergistics, Inc. has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework Principles (EU-U.S. DPF Principles) with regard to the processing of personal data received from the European Union in reliance on the EU-U.S. DPF and from the United Kingdom (and Gibraltar) in reliance on the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF. Human Synergistics, Inc. has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program Principles (Swiss-U.S. DPF Principles) with regard to the processing of personal data received from Switzerland in reliance on the Swiss-U.S. DPF.  If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the EU-U.S. DPF Principles and/or the Swiss-U.S. DPF Principles, the Principles shall govern.  To learn more about the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) program, and to view our certification, please visit https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/.

This statement applies to all personal information we handle (except as noted below), including on-line, off-line, and manually processed data. For purposes of this statement, “personal information” means information that:

  • is transferred from the EU and the United Kingdom or Switzerland to the United States;
  • is recorded in any form;
  • is about, or pertains to, a specific individual;
  • can be linked to that individual;

It does not include information that pertains to a specific individual, but from which that individual could not reasonably be identified.

Human Synergistics, Inc. is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the FTC

At Human Synergistics, Inc. survey and diagnostic inventory sites, a client provides information about themselves, another person they know well, or their group or organization. They may also provide background information, including demographics or information about their position in their organization. They will not be asked to provide information related to ordering additional products, expressing opinions or feedback on products, subscribing to other HSI services, or participating in online forums (except those, if any, directly relevant to the survey or exercise that they are currently completing).

The types of personally identifiable information that may be collected at this site include: name, organization, e-mail address, and demographic and positional information pertinent to the use of this survey and directly related HSI products and services.

We also may collect certain non-personally identifiable information when they visit our Web pages such as the type of browser and/or operating system they are using, the screen resolution of their monitor, the domain name of their Internet service provider, and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device they are using to access the site.

The data collected is used for individual, group, and/or organizational development. It also may be used for the on-going statistical norming and validation of the survey instrument scales. To that end, we may create data files consisting of the answers of specific groups of respondents to one or more of our surveys (based on team membership or on demographic or positional variables) from multiple organizations. These files would be used to support analyses to improve our surveys and develop and market new products that may be of interest to you, your firm, your industry, and the marketplace. We also use aggregated or archived data to carry out research on individuals, groups, and organizations and publish the results in journals, books, manuals, or other outlets.

Data Formats

Organizational-level data are occasionally shared with the client organization or consultant. Personally identifying data is removed to ensure confidentiality is protected.

Individual feedback reports are provided to the internal program coordinator and/or the participant’s assigned coach (internal or external). Group-level reports are provided to the internal program coordinator, the consultant (internal or external), and/or to the individual team members. Organizational-level reports are provided to the internal program coordinator and/or the consultant (internal or external). Depending on mode of administration, individuals may also receive a summary of their own responses directly.

Principles Protecting Individuals’ Privacy

Notice and Choice

To the extent permitted by the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (Swiss-U.S. DPF) Agreement, The Company reserves the right to process personal information in the course of providing professional services to our clients without the knowledge of individuals involved. Where we collect personal information directly from individuals in the EU and the United Kingdom and Switzerland, we inform them of the purposes for which we collect and use it.

The individual providing data will have the choice to opt out if The Company proposes (A) to disclose personal data to a 3rd party or (B) to allow the personal data to be used for a purpose that is materially different from the purpose for which the data were originally collected. The Company will advise you in advance by email of any such proposal and you can opt out by returning the email to info@humansynergistics.com with “Opt Out” added to the Subject Line or in the body of the message.

Accountability for Onward Transfer

The Company will not disclose an individual’s personal information to third parties, except when one or more of the following conditions is true:

  • We have the individual’s permission to make the disclosure;
  • The disclosure is required in response to a lawful request by public authorities, including to meet national security of law enforcement requirements;
  • The disclosure is reasonably related to the sale or disposition of all or part of our business;
  • The information in question is publicly available;
  • The disclosure is reasonably necessary for the establishment or defense of legal claims; or
  • The disclosure is to another affiliated entity or to persons or entities providing services on our or the individual’s behalf (each a “transferee”), consistent with the purpose for which the information was obtained, if the transferee, with respect to the information in question:
    • is subject to law providing an adequate level of privacy protection;
    • has agreed in writing to provide an adequate level of privacy protection; or
    • subscribes to the Principles.

Permitted transfers of information, either to third parties or within our organization, include the transfer of data from one jurisdiction to another, including transfers to and from the United States of America. Because privacy laws vary from one jurisdiction to another, personal information may be transferred to a jurisdiction where the laws provide less or different protection than the jurisdiction in which the information originated. Human Synergistics, Inc. may be liable for certain onward transfers to third parties.

Data Security

The Company takes reasonable steps to protect your information. To prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, The Company has put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we process. However, we cannot guarantee the security of information on or transmitted via the Internet.

Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation

The Company processes personal information only in ways compatible with the purpose for which it was collected or subsequently authorized by the individual. To the extent necessary for such purposes, we take reasonable steps to make sure that personal information is accurate, complete, current, and otherwise reliable with regard to its intended use.

Access

If an individual becomes aware that information we maintain about that individual is inaccurate, or if an individual would like to update or review his or her information, or individual would like to limit or restrict their data completely, the individual may contact us using the contact information below. We will take reasonable steps to permit individuals to correct, amend, or delete information that is demonstrated to be inaccurate. The individual will need to provide sufficient identifying information, such as name, email address, company name, or other information that we may request as a security precaution. No individual will be allowed to review or modify another individual’s information. In addition, we may limit or deny access to personal information where providing such access would be unreasonably burdensome or expensive in the circumstances, or as otherwise permitted by the Data Privacy Framework program. In some circumstances, we may charge a reasonable fee, where warranted, for access to personal information. Human Synergistics, Inc. recognizes the right of EU and British and Swiss individuals to access their personal data.

Human Synergistics, Inc. reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions relating to unit, demographic or positional variables that would otherwise affect the feasibility or accuracy of any feedback reports.

Recourse, Enforcement and Liability

The Company utilizes the self-assessment approach to assure its compliance with our privacy statement. We periodically verify that the policy is accurate, comprehensive for the information intended to be covered, prominently displayed, completely implemented, and in conformity with the Principles. We encourage interested persons to raise any concerns with us using the contact information below. We will investigate and attempt to resolve complaints and disputes regarding use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the principles contained in this policy. 

Privacy Statement Changes

This privacy statement may be changed from time to time, consistent with the requirements of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (Swiss-U.S. DPF). We will post any revised policy on this Web site, or a similar Web site that replaces this Web site.

Information Subject to Other Policies

We are committed to following the Principles for all personal information within the scope of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program (Swiss-U.S. DPF).

Information relating to present or former personnel of our organization is subject to our policies concerning personnel data privacy, which are available to present personnel and former personnel of The Company upon request.

Information obtained from or relating to clients or former clients is further subject to the terms of any privacy notice to the client, any engagement letter or letters with the client, and applicable laws.

How to Contact Us

In compliance with the EU-US Data Privacy Framework Principles, Human Synergistics, Inc. commits to resolve complaints about your privacy and our collection or use of your personal information transferred to the United States pursuant to the DPF Principles.  European Union, Swiss and United Kingdom individuals with DPF inquiries or complaints should first contact:

Human Synergistics, Inc.
39819 Plymouth Rd.
Plymouth, MI  48170
Phone: 847.590.0995
Fax: 847.590.0997
Email: odile.ambrus@humansynergistics.com

Human Synergistics, Inc. has further committed to refer unresolved privacy complaints under the DPF Principles to an independent dispute resolution mechanism, Data Privacy Framework Services, operated by BBB National Programs. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, please visit https://bbbprograms.org/programs/all-programs/dpf-consumers/ProcessForConsumers  for more information and to file a complaint. This service is provided free of charge to you.

If your  DPF complaint cannot be resolved through the above channels, under certain conditions, you may invoke binding arbitration for some residual claims not resolved by other redress mechanisms.  See https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov/s/article/G-Arbitration-Procedures-dpf?tabset-35584=2

ABOUT US