The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has issued aCode of Practice on Human Resource Management ("the Code") which will come into effect on 1 April 2001.

The Code provides practical guidance on the general requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) that pertain to employment-related data. It deals with, in particular, the handling of personal data in the different phases of the employment process including recruitment, current employment and former employees' matters.

The key features of the Code in respect of these phases is in the Annex hereto.

Estate agencies and their management are advised to refer to and comply with the Code. The full text of the Code is available at various District Offices.