Privacy Statement

Purpose of Data Collection

StepStone aims to assist you with your life long career development. StepStone offers you an excellent career development service, wherever you are in your career, whatever your next step will be. We are committed to establishing a long term relationship, delivering a range of services available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that will help you take control of your career, your life and your future.

StepStone wishes to make your job search as easy as possible. You can apply for job vacancies or use the My StepStone services. Our CV database and our Job Agent both aim at informing you about job offers or at establishing the contact between you and the potential employer.

One of the fundamentals of the relationship with StepStone – in fact of any relationship – is trust. With StepStone, you can trust that we are 100% committed to protecting your privacy.  Our goal is to offer you, the user, a secure and risk free service. We will use our best efforts to ensure that the information you submit to us remains confidential, and is used only for the purposes described on our site.

If you feel however that we are not abiding by the terms of this statement or data protection regulations, please contact our customer services department:

StepStone NV/SA

Avenue des Arts 3-4-5,

1210 Brussels

Tel: 02 209 98 00
and by email to info@stepstone.be

We will contact you as soon as possible.

What information do we collect?

1a) My StepStone

If you register for the My StepStone service we will store your e-mail address so that we can send you the StepStone Services (Job Agent, Newsletter, Career Information and requests for your CV). If you do not wish to receive e-mails from StepStone on your own e-mail address you can receive e-mails in your personal My StepStone Mailbox and view them online at any time. This Mailbox is exclusively designed for corresponding with the StepStone Services and cannot be used for private e-mail correspondence. If you wish to use the My StepStone Mailbox you will have to enter your e-mail address so that we can send you your login details in case you have forgotten them.

If you register for My StepStone and also wish to enter your CV, we will ask you for person related data. Stored together with your CV, these personal data contain, amongst other things, your user data (name, address, e-mail, telephone number, date of birth) and your sex. The personal user data are treated in strict confidence and are not forwarded to employers unless you have given your explicit consent. We need your personal user data in order to send you offers from potential employers, if necessary in a non-electronic way. Furthermore, you have the possibility of forwarding these data to a potential employer - provided that you have explicitly authorised this. Due to technical reasons we have to request your personal data when you register for My StepStone. However, you do not have to fill in any personal data as long as you do not wish to enter a CV. Only then, will these boxes be obligatory. Before, all you need to enter is an active e-mail address and a security question.

In order to ensure authentification, that means in order to avoid unauthorized registrations on behalf of third parties we will send you a confirmation email after your registration where we ask you to re-confirm your registration.

Please note that by giving us your electronic contact details these may be used for sending you commercial communications by email regarding our products and services. If you do not want to receive such emails, please contact us by email on info@stepstone.be.

1b) Job Agent

If you register for the Job Agent, you will receive regular information on listings which match a profile that has been defined by you in advance.

2. CVs

StepStone is a Career Website and we give you the possibility of placing your CV in our database. If you wish to create a CV - i.e. a summary of your education, your professional experience and skills - with the StepStone CV Center you must provide us with your personal user data. Most details you can leave open. There are, however, some mandatory details such as address, region, nationality or date of birth which are marked with an asterisk which have to be given. You cannot leave these boxes empty.

This information is only ever made available to recruiters through your active choice. When you register your CV you can tick "yes" or "no", depending on whether you want your CV to be visible to and searchable by employers. If you tick “yes” your CV will be visible and searchable by all employers using the CV database. Your CV will be viewed with all details you have filled in. However, you can exclude specific employers from viewing your CV, but only if they were already registered with Stepstone at the time you express your wish to exclude them. You cannot exclude employers with future effect. If you tick "no", only you may use and see  your CV within My StepStone or when applying for a job on the StepStone web site.

As a job seeker you have two ways of using StepStone's CV database:

2.1 Inactive CV

You can make your CV inactive by ticking “no” when asked if your CV should be visible. This means that your CV will be stored in our CV database, but will not be searchable by potential employers.  However you can use your CV stored in our CV database yourself to attach to applications if you apply online to one of the job offers on the StepStone sites. You can attach active as well as currently inactive CVs. Inactive CVs are not disclosed and are not searchable. They are just a form of electronically stored support of your application. The data contained therein will not be disclosed, in any form, to any third parties. Please note that a CV attached to an application will be sent to a potential employer as a link NOT as a snapshot. Therefore, any changes you later make to your CV will also change the version that has been forwarded to a potential employer. Of course, we cannot exclude the possibility that the employer enters and stores your CV as a snapshot in his databases.

You can activate your CV at any time to make it visible and searchable in the CV Database by clicking on the activate icon in My StepStone.

2.2 Active CV

You can make your CV searchable by ticking “yes”  when asked if your CV should be visible. This means that you allow your CV to be searchable. Once you tick "yes", you give a potential employer permission to receive your full CV and he will also have access to your personal user data entered inside the boxes (“Personal User Data”). All employers and recruiters who have access to our searchable CV database will have access to your CV, including your Personal User Data. However, you can exclude certain employers from viewing your CV, but only if these employers are already registered with StepStone at the time you express your wish to exclude them. You cannot exclude employers who may register with StepStone at some point in the future.

We cannot influence and cannot be held responsible for retention, use or privacy of your CV whilst in the possession of such an employer or recruiter. Please bear this in mind if you enter details about former or current employers or if you use the free text boxes.

Important Notice: Only the StepStone Group has access to your Personal User Data and will under no circumstances forward these to employers. However if you have a CV in the CV database and you have permitted this CV to be searchable, any employer whose search results include your CV will see your Personal User Data and can contact you via StepStone or via the contact details you have given in your CV.

This site cannot be used if you do not accept cookies. Cookies are tiny files that your web browser puts on your hard disk to facilitate surfing the web. Cookies are used to recognise visitors, the web server can then, for example check when the visitor last visited the server and what pages they accessed. One of the benefits of cookies for the site user is that you don’t need to type in your user name and password twice within one and the same session.

StepStone uses session and permanent cookies, to make access to our web site easier. Session cookies are deleted as soon as you log out. Permanent cookies, activated by pressing the button "vote" in our survey windows, are an exception to this rule.

4. Log Files and Statistics
In our Logfiles, we collect and store Internet Protocol addresses (IP addresses) for a limited period, as far as is necessary for data safety reasons. We also use Internet Protocol addresses to create anonymous statistics, in order to measure the number of visitors to our web site (traffic) and we use it for accounting purposes to calculate the number of clicks received via web sites of our business partners, but we do not draw up user profiles or link these to personally identifiable information.

5. Preview

As well as publishing their job advertisement listings on our site, some of our customers also use our pre-assessment and application management services, StepStone Preview. Applicants to these vacancies are generally invited to send their applications direct to recruiters online.

If you apply for a vacancy that is using the Preview application system, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire containing several job-related questions. You may also be asked to attach your CV or other evidence to support your application. Your answers will be saved on our server and the recruiter advertising the vacancy has unlimited access to them. However you can ask StepStone to delete these details at any time.

We are not liable for breaches of applicable law or data protection rules committed by the potential employer. The address of your potential employer could be in another or a non-EU country which could involve a transfer of data to this country. Accordingly you give your unambiguous consent to such a transfer of your personal data to non-EU countries.

The technical side of the Preview process is made possible by a co-operation between StepStone and Psychometric Services Ltd. Psychometric Services Ltd., Letchford House, Headstone Lane, Harrow HA3 6PE, UK, is responsible for the specific ASP performance (Application Service Providing). Psychometric Services Ltd is registered with the British Data Protection Authorities.

6. Job Offers with Box Numbers

If you reply to a job with a box number you therewith give us your consent to forward your covering letter and all data included therein to the customer of that box number. We are entitled but not obliged to forward your cover letter. We do not check the content of your message on a regular basis. However, we are entitled to do so. We will not forward your covering letter if we discover that it contains illegal content as defined below. Furthermore we will accept any lock flags for particular companies, if you have given us the detailed and correct name (name and legal form of the company) and address. Due to the time consuming research involved we cannot accept lock flags for a whole group or organisation.  As an exception we will, however, accept such lock flags that define every single company of such group or organisation giving the detailed name, address and legal form.

We do not forward any additional data apart from your covering letter (e.g. data from your CV), there is no matching with the personal data you have entered into our system.

Illegal Content

Please note that you are solely responsible for all texts entered into our system or sent to us (e.g. for forwarding to box number advertisements). Please ensure that you do not send us any attachments that contain viruses or worms. Personal details provided to StepStone should not contain: information on illnesses, information about pregnancy, any information about ethnic origin, political opinion, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, health and sexual orientation; defamatory or slanderous information; information having no reasonable relation to the job profile. The information you send us must be accurate and must not  breach copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights, contravene law, competition law or other applicable provisions, official regulations, the rights of third parties in general or public policy ("Illegal Content"). Please note that you  undertake to indemnify us against all claims made against us as a consequence of your failure to prevent Illegal Content appearing in any information you provide.

Who is processing your data?

Our Website is hosted by StepStone NV/SA, Kunstlaan/Avenue des Arts, 3-4-5, 1210 Brussels, Belgium, who is also the controller of the processing. The servers are maintained by Scarlet, Medialaan 50, 1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium, on their premises. These companies are responsible for the processing of your data. As far as StepStone works together with business partners to deliver its services StepStone may forward your data to these partners if and insofar as this is necessary for technical administration and maintenance of the StepStone products. StepStone will provide information about this in its currently valid Privacy Statement.

With whom do we share your personal data?

The active CV can be accessed by StepStone's customers (normally employers or recruiters) within the StepStone CV Center. They can also be forwarded by email or print to interested customers in order to increase the reach and response rates. The StepStone CV Center can be reached direct via the StepStone Web Sites or via simple or qualified links with StepStone's co-operation partners on the Internet. The StepStone customer could be located outside Belgium or even outside the European Union, which could involve a transfer of data to such a country.  You give your unambiguous consent to such transfer to non-EU countries. We will only disclose your personal data  if you have activated these, i.e. disclosed. We will not disclose any data if you have entered an inactive CV. In such case you decide in each individual case and after you have been informed about the recipient whether you would like your Personal User Data to be disclosed. However, StepStone can not avoid that individuals other than employers, recruiters or HR consultants use the CV database. If you have entered an active CV it is possible that you are contacted by email for other purposes or by other companies. If you have decided to disclose your personal data we cannot prevent such misuse of your disclosed data.

In order to establish an international element to our data base, we are planning to implement the StepStone CV Center in other countries of the StepStone Group enabling these to access the data. Further information about these companies is available at www.stepstone.com or at the end of this Privacy Statement.

Right of access to, editing and deletion of your CV data:

You have a right of access, information and rectification of your data.  You have the right to object, free of charge to the processing of your personal data for purposes of direct marketing.

If you wish to edit or delete your data or your CV in the database, simply log in at My StepStone and use the corresponding functions. You can delete one or more stored CVs in the menu "CV"; all data stored for the registration with "My StepStone" can be deleted completely in the menu "User Data". If you want us to delete your personal data or CV we will be happy to do so on your behalf. Also, we will inform you immediately about your personal password in case you have forgotten it. In order to increase the protection of your personal data we will ask you a secret question to which only you know the correct answer before you can log in to My StepStone. Your answer makes your identification easier if you have forgotten your personal password. StepStone is entitled to withdraw its services at any time, or to delete your data in whole or in part without giving further notice. You have no right to claim publication of your data.

Important Notice: We will delete your data at no cost to you if they have not been updated for 5 years, or if you should request stepstone to delete your data at any time. The reason for this is that StepStone intends to process your data in a talent pool to assist you during your life long career rather than just help you find a one off job like a standard job board.

Direct Marketing

Your electronic contact details may be used for sending you commercial communications by email regarding StepStone products and services. If you do not want to receive such emails, please contact info@stepstone.be.

Data Security

We use a variety of methods, such as encryption (SSL), firewalls, intrusion detection software and manual security procedures, to help protect the accuracy and security of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access or improper use by third parties. The SSL encryption is activated if the key symbol is displayed at the bottom of your browser and if the address starts with "httpS://...". This means the data transfer is protected by SSL (Secure Locket Layer) with a 128 bit encryption, preventing third parties from illegally accessing your data. If the encryption is not activated you should consider whether you should send confidential information via the internet. Emails are only encrypted if, in addition to the above, you use the StepStone Mailbox, not if you use your own email address. Please note that this also applies to the personal password required for certain functions on the StepStone pages and the email confirmation you receive after your first registration if you receive these via your own email address.

Please note we do not use encryption in our emails. We recommend that users change the password sent to them with a new personal password. You can also change your password at any time at "My StepStone - User Data".

We only store personal data that you have entered into My StepStone. No other person related data will be stored.

Please note that some employment contracts may not permit private use of the Internet during working hours or from your work place. Some employers systematically monitor unauthorised Internet activities on your work place. Although you are connected via a multiple network environment, you should be aware that there is a risk of unwanted access.

Please note that JavaScript™ technology is used on our web sites.

Interruption of services, withdrawal or changes of services, deletion of data

StepStone does not guarantee or warrant that the services are available at certain times. Disturbances, interruptions or a possible breakdown of the online service cannot be excluded by StepStone. Systematic backups of the servers are carried out regularly. In so far as data have been transferred to StepStone - regardless their form - we recommend that you create your own backup copies. StepStone reserves the right to delete a publication, without reason at any time without notice. The user has no right to claim publication. StepStone reserves the right to change, extend, limit or withdraw its services at any time. Therefore, StepStone shall not be liable for any deleted data or loss of data.

Links

Our web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. We encourage our visitors to be aware of this when they leave the StepStone web site, and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This Privacy Statement applies only to information collected on our web site.

Privacy Statement changes

Any changes to our privacy commitment will always be available here on our homepage so that our visitors are always aware of what information we gather, how we might use that information, and whether we will disclose it to third parties. At the bottom of this page you will find links to former versions of our Privacy Statement.

If you want to store this Privacy Statement, please press ctrl–s, to print press ctrl-p

Miscellaneous

Postal address:
StepStone NV/SA

Kunstlaan/Avenue des Arts 3-4-5,

1210 Brussels

Belgium

or contact our customer services team:

StepStone NV/SA
Kunstlaan/Avenue des Arts 3-4-5,
1210 Brussels

Tel: 02 209 98 00

and by email:

info@stepstone.be

Brussels, 14th of June 2006

Other StepStone Companies in Europe:

StepStone A/B, Sweden
Box 283,
20122 Malmo