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Privacy and Confidentiality

At STEINHEM direct search, we place the highest importance on the confidentiality and protection of personal data entrusted to us by candidates, clients, and partners.
This charter explains clearly and transparently how we collect, use, protect, and share personal data in compliance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP, revised 2023) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).


1. Scope

This charter applies to:

  • Candidates who share their personal information with us or whom we contact as part of our search activities.
  • Clients and business contacts.
  • Visitors to our website.
  • Our service providers and business partners.

 

2. Data We Collect

We only collect data necessary for the execution of our executive search services:


a) Candidate data

  • Identity details: name, surname, contact details (email, phone, address).
  • Professional and academic background: CV, employment history, education, skills, certifications.
  • Information provided during interviews: career goals, availability, compensation expectations.
  • Professional references (only with your prior consent).


b) Client data

  • Professional contact information: name, role, telephone, email.
  • Information regarding recruitment needs and assignments.


c) Website visitors

  • Technical information: IP address, browser type, visited pages, cookies (strictly necessary for functionality).

 

3. Purpose of Processing

We process personal data exclusively for:

  • Identifying, approaching, and evaluating potential candidates.
  • Matching candidates’ profiles with clients’ requirements.
  • Presenting candidate profiles to clients (always with candidate consent).
  • Managing contractual and business relationships with clients.
  • Ensuring the proper functioning and security of our website.
  • Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

We do not use your personal data for unrelated marketing or commercial purposes.

 

4. Legal Basis

In accordance with the FADP and GDPR, data processing is based on:

  • Your consent (e.g., when you submit your CV).
  • Contractual necessity (e.g., managing client mandates).
  • Legitimate interest (e.g., sourcing and assessing executive profiles).
  • Legal obligations (e.g., compliance with Swiss regulations).

 

5. Data Sharing

Personal data may be shared only with:

  • Our clients, within the framework of a specific recruitment mandate, and only with the candidate’s prior agreement.
  • Our internal consultants and staff, all bound by strict confidentiality.
  • Trusted technical service providers (IT hosting, HR management software) who are contractually obliged to ensure data protection.

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal data to third parties.

 

6. Data Retention

  • Candidates: personal data is stored for a maximum of 2 years after the last interaction, unless you request its deletion earlier.
  • Clients: data is kept for the duration of the contractual relationship and in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Website visitors: technical data (cookies, logs) is retained for a maximum of 12 months.

 

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against:

  • Unauthorized access or disclosure.
  • Accidental loss, alteration, or destruction.
  • Misuse or unlawful processing.

Our systems and servers are secured and hosted in Switzerland or within the European Union.

 

8. Your Rights

Under the FADP and GDPR (where applicable), you have the following rights:

  • Access: to know what data we hold about you.
  • Rectification: to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Erasure: to request deletion of your personal data.
  • Objection: to object to certain types of processing.
  • Data portability (where applicable): to receive your data in a structured format.

To exercise your rights, please contact us (see Section 10).

 

9. Cookies

Our website uses only strictly necessary cookies to function properly.
If we introduce analytics or marketing cookies in the future, a cookie banner will appear to obtain your explicit consent.

 

10. Contact

For any questions regarding your personal data or to exercise your rights, please contact us:
[Name of the Firm]
[Full Address in Switzerland]
Email: [dedicated email address]
Phone: [contact number]

 

11. Updates to this Charter

We may update this charter periodically to reflect legal, regulatory, or operational changes. The revision date is always displayed at the top of the page.