ICO publishes guidance on information sharing in mental health emergencies at work

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance to give employers greater certainty about sharing their workers’ personal information in the event of a mental health emergency. The guidance provides advice on when and how it is appropriate to share workers’ personal information when the employer believes that someone is at risk of causing serious harm to themselves or others because of their mental health. The guidance covers:

• what a mental health emergency is
• whether you can share workers’ information in a mental health emergency
• planning for information sharing in a mental health emergency
• the lawful bases and special category conditions that are most likely to apply.