Candidate Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Candidate Privacy Policy applies to individuals who apply for positions at DistressNow or submit their personal information to DistressNow for employment, contractor, or partnership opportunities. This policy supplements our main Privacy Policy and provides specific information about how we handle candidate data.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Application Information

When you apply for a position at DistressNow, we collect:

• Full name and contact information
• Email address and phone number
• Resume/CV and cover letter
• Educational and professional background
• Employment history and work experience
• References and recommendation letters
• Portfolio or work samples (if applicable)
• LinkedIn profile or other professional profiles

2.2 Interview Information

During the interview process, we may collect:

• Interview recordings or notes (with consent)
• Assessment results and test scores
• Behavioral feedback from interviewers
• Communication records via email or messaging

2.3 Verification Information

For selected candidates, we may collect:

• Background check information (criminal history, references)
• Identity and document verification
• Employment eligibility verification
• Tax and employment registration information

3. How We Use Candidate Information

We use candidate information for the following purposes:

• Evaluate qualifications and fit for the position
• Facilitate the recruitment and interview process
• Conduct background and reference checks
• Verify employment eligibility and legal authorization
• Communicate about the application status
• Maintain records for legal and compliance purposes
• Improve recruitment processes and candidate experience
• Contact candidates about future opportunities (if applicable)

4. Retention of Candidate Data

4.1 Retention Period

Unsuccessful Candidates: Application materials are retained for 12 months. After this period, we may delete your information, though some data may be retained for legal compliance.

Hired Candidates: Data is transferred to employee files and retained according to employment record retention requirements.

4.2 Voluntary Candidate Pool

If you allow us to keep your information in our candidate pool for future opportunities, we may retain your data for up to 2 years unless you request deletion.

5. Information Sharing

5.1 Internal Sharing

Candidate information is shared internally with:

• HR and recruitment team members
• Hiring managers for relevant positions
• Interview panel members
• Background check and verification providers

5.2 External Sharing

We may share candidate information with:

• Background check and verification service providers
• References you provide
• Government agencies (for employment verification)
• Legal representatives (if required)

6. Legal Basis for Processing

We process candidate information based on:

• Contractual Necessity: Information required for the employment application process
• Legal Obligation: Background checks and verification required by law
• Legitimate Interest: Evaluating candidates and improving recruitment processes
• Consent: Voluntary candidate pool and future opportunity communications

7. Candidate Rights

7.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. Contact us to exercise this right.

7.2 Right to Correction

If your information is inaccurate, you may request correction. Notify us immediately of any errors.

7.3 Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your candidate information, subject to legal retention requirements. We will honor such requests unless we have a legal obligation to retain the data.

7.4 Right to Withdraw Consent

If you provided consent for specific processing (such as keeping your information in our candidate pool), you may withdraw consent at any time.

7.5 Right to Object

You may object to processing of your information for future recruitment communications. We will honor such objections.

8. Data Security

DistressNow implements industry-standard security measures to protect candidate data, including:

• Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
• Secure access controls and authentication
• Regular security audits
• Confidentiality agreements with staff and vendors
• Secure document destruction upon retention period expiration

9. International Transfers

If you apply for a position involving international operations, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside Nigeria. Such transfers are subject to applicable data protection laws and appropriate safeguards.

10. Changes to This Policy

DistressNow may update this Candidate Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes via email. Your continued application or submission indicates acceptance of updated terms.

11. Contact & Questions

If you have questions about this Candidate Privacy Policy or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact: