Research, clinical data, development strategies and internal analyses often qualify as trade secrets under the law.
There is no doubt that our members are aware of this. Even so, the legal department occasionally have cases where procedures have been skipped during a busy workday, or where innocent actions are misunderstood and leads to serious consequences.
That is why we take a closer look at the mistakes and misunderstandings that are easiest to avoid.
What is at stake?
The Danish Act on Trade Secrets protects information that has commercial value and that a company takes reasonable steps to keep confidential.
This applies for a lot of data types in Life Science – including research results, trial data, product pipelines, collaboration agreements and technological methods.
If this information is compromised – deliberately or unintentionally – the consequences can be far-reaching:
loss of competitive advantage
delays in product development
weakened investor confidence
significant legal disputes
It is therefore a core part of your role as an employee to understand that you are handling something that is not only important to the company – but also protected by law.
How to avoid appearing suspicious – even when you do everything right
In an industry with high security standards and enormous data value, unusual behavior can quickly attract attention.
This does not necessarily mean that something is wrong, but that the objective risk is high. That is why it is important to be aware of actions that, even when entirely innocent, can send the wrong signals.
Here are some examples and recommendations:
1. IT policies are not formalities
If your company restricts file transfers, external services or the use of specific platforms, it is not simply to make daily work more difficult.
It is part of your employer’s right to protect its assets. Circumventing these rules, knowingly or not, can create suspicion and may ultimately have employment law consequences.
2. Avoid personal USB devices and external storage media
Using private USB drives is a classic red flag in any high-security environment. Not because employees usually have bad intentions, but because such devices pose a high risk for knowledge-intensive companies. Only use approved devices and never private ones.
Even a “I just needed to move a document quickly” can be problematic.
3. Your work computer is a work tool
Your work computer is the company’s tool and often provides access to confidential systems. Even if your workplace allows you to store personal files on your work computer, it is wise to avoid doing so.
If your employment ends, for example in connection with garden leave, which is common in Life Science, you are not entitled to full access to the computer.
Having personal photos, documents or even weekend concert tickets stored there can therefore put you in a difficult position.
The Danish trust-based model requires responsible behavior
In Denmark, leadership and work culture are largely built on trust. We are not screened, monitored or controlled to the same extent as employees in many other countries – and that is a major strength.
The high degree of autonomy and the low level of surveillance foster well-being, efficiency and a working environment where professional expertise can thrive.
Because trust is the foundation, individual behavior becomes crucial.
When a culture is based on trust rather than control, it requires companies and employees to act accordingly and avoid misunderstandings.
In an environment where trade secrets carry high value, even small deviations from procedures can create unnecessary conflicts, even when intentions are entirely innocent