• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, December 5, 2017

Employees better shape up and help their firms comply with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Failure could lead to loss of benefits and even their jobs, according to a study released today by Veritas Technologies LLC.  

It’s all part of a growing shift in corporate culture that makes staff members accountable for good data practices. And it’s none too soon, for 91% of the firms surveyed admit they do not have good corporate cultures when it comes to GDPR.

But they are trying. Of 900 decision makers surveyed, 88% say their firms plan to drive behavioral changes with training, rewards, penalties and contracts.

For example, 47% will add mandatory GDPR adherence into employment contracts. What’s more, 41% will implement disciplinary procedures for violations, and 25% will consider withholding bonuses and other benefits from non-compliant employees.

Yet 34% will offer rewards for helping with good data governance in line with GDPR.

Training will also play with a role, with 63% believing that all employees should receive mandatory instruction on GDPR. And there But there are varying degrees of urgency to this, with 86% believing that IT should take priority.

The same survey found that 85% believe that business direction and strategy employees should be followed by those involved in development/sales/channel (84%), legal (82%), and finance (82%).

Placing the burden on employees comes as firms scramble to comply with the regulation that takes effect next May. But suppliers are also taking the heat: GDPR requires that firms that have data on EU citizens, including U.S. companies, perform due diligence to ensure the vendors they use are in compliance. Violations can lead to harsh penalties.

Despite these pressures, many firms expect that GDPR will help them. Overall, 95% see benefits to compliance, while 92% cite improved data hygiene, 68% cite better customer insights and 59% see strong reputations.

In addition, 45% say improved data management will help them reduce costs, increase revenue or market share. And 22% believe they will end up with more disposable cash for use in R&D and other activities.

Finally, 25% say compliance will allow them to hire more staff and provide better customer service.

The takeaway? That good data practices begin with employees. "Data is one of the most critical assets within an organization, yet many businesses are struggling to implement good data hygiene practices — and that often starts with employees," states Mike Palmer, executive vice president and chief product officer, Veritas.

Veritas, the provider of a digital data platform, interviewed businesspeople in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Japan and the Republic of Korea.