Welcome to Human Synergistics’ Privacy Policy for Survey Respondents and Simulation Participants
Thank you for visiting this Human Synergistics International (HSI) Web site. HSI creates and offers, via the Internet, systems, surveys, and exercises for individual, group, and organizational development.
You have been invited to participate in one or more of our surveys and exercises online; in doing so, you may provide information that is of a private and confidential nature. We therefore encourage you to review the following questions and answers about our practices regarding online information, privacy, and related issues.
Privacy Policy
Why are we collecting your data?
We are collecting information to provide feedback to you, your colleague, your team, or your organisation to support change and development initiatives. This information and feedback will focus on such topics as the culture and climate of your organisation; the styles and effectiveness of your group; your personal styles, skills, and performance; and/or the behaviours, impact, and effectiveness of a colleague. Please see the “How will we use your data?” section below, which provides more information about the specific survey you are completing or exercise in which you will be participating.
What data are we collecting and storing?
Human Synergistics survey, diagnostic inventory, and experiential exercise websites ask you to provide information about yourself, another person you know well, or your group or organisation.
The types of personal information that may be collected at our sites or provided by your organisation include: name, organisation, e-mail address, and demographic and positional information pertinent to the use of the survey or exercise you are completing and directly related Human Synergistics products and services.
We may collect certain technology-related information when you visit our Web pages such as the type of browser and/or operating system you are using, the screen resolution of your monitor, the domain name of your Internet service provider, and the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the device you are using to access the site.
Human Synergistics is a Data Controller (as defined by the European Commission) with respect to all of the information collected.
Human Synergistics retains personal data, as necessary, for the duration of the relevant business relationship. We may also retain personal data for longer than the duration of a project or the initial business relationship should we need to retain it to respond to follow-up questions from clients, provide clients with analyses on changes between the initial data and subsequent retest data, protect ourselves against legal claims, use it for analysis or historical record-keeping, or comply with our information management policies and schedules. If you request that we delete your personal data, Human Synergistics will make reasonable attempts to delete all instances of the information in their entirety.
Will we use your data for research?
Human Synergistics, as a Data Controller, reserves the right to use the collected data for the on-going statistical norming and validation of its surveys, measurement scales, and simulations. To that end, we may create anonymised data files consisting of the answers of specific groups of respondents (based on demographic or positional variables) from multiple organisations. Similarly, we may develop anonymised files consisting of the solutions proposed by individuals and teams to problems posed by our survival simulations and business exercises. These files would be used to support analyses to improve our surveys and exercises as well as to develop and market new products that may be of interest to you, your organisation, your industry, and the marketplace in general. We also use aggregated or archived data to carry out research on individuals, groups, and organisations and publish the results in journals, books, manuals, or other outlets. Such research by Human Synergistics staff and co-authors is guided by the code of ethics of the American Psychological Association. The confidentiality of individual respondents and their organisations is maintained in the use of these aggregated data sets.
Will we use or share your data for other purposes (e.g., Marketing, Technology Development)?
You will not be asked to: provide information related to ordering additional products; express opinions or feedback on products (except prototypes); subscribe to other HSI services; or participate in online forums (except those, if any, directly relevant to the survey or exercise that you are currently completing). We will not use your information for marketing purposes.
We may sometimes use the non-personal information that we collect to improve the design and content of our site and to enable us to personalise your Internet experience. We also may use this information in the aggregate to analyse and facilitate site usage.We may disclose personal information in response to a legal process, for example, a court order or a subpoena. We also may disclose such information in response to a law enforcement agency’s request though, to date, Human Synergistics has not been required to provide information in response to such requests.Agents and contractors of Human Synergistics who have access to personal information are required to protect this information in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Statement by, for example, not using the information for purposes other than carrying out the services they are performing for Human Synergistics. Other than with these agents and contractors, we will not share information with third parties (e.g. marketers, magazine publishers, retailers, participatory databases, and non-profit organisations) that might want to market products or services to you.Finally, Human Synergistics will not use or transfer personal information in ways unrelated to those described above without providing you with an opportunity to opt out of any such unrelated use.
How do we protect your personal information?
We have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and help prevent unauthorised access, maintain data security and prevent its loss, and correctly use the information we collect online. We store your survey or exercise data on a server hosted by Rackspace. Visit their website to learn more: https://www.rackspace.com/en-us/about/datacenters
Do we transfer data between countries?
Yes, survey and/or exercise responses and personal data collected in South Korea, Europe and elsewhere throughout the world are transferred to servers in Australia for storage and scoring. Your responses and personal data will be accessed, managed, and processed by Human Synergistics Sydney office in Australia. We rely on arrangements between our South Korean and Australian offices that are consistent with the European Commission’s standard contractual clauses for the transfer of data originating in the European Economic Area to Australia. Data may also be transferred to Human Synergistics InterConnext GmbH in Germany for additional processing and storage.
How can you contact us?
For information about our products and services, please email info@human-synergistics.com.au call us at +6192715900 visit our Website at www.human-synergistics.com.au
For support using our survey or exercise website, please email us at info@human-synergistics.com.au
How will we use your data?
Customer ServiceStyles™ Survey (CSSS)
Responses to Customer ServiceStyles™ will be scored and analysed to provide feedback to an organisation, division, or subunit on its customer service styles. Your data will be combined with that provided by others to generate composite results and organisational or unit-level feedback reports. In developing these reports, the survey responses of individuals are aggregated in ways that protect their confidentiality.
Results will be generated and reported only when data have been provided by [N-Size] or more respondents (unless members of smaller groups of customers or clients consent to the preparation and delivery of such reports). The same guidelines pertain to the reporting of results for groups identified on the basis of demographic or positional strata—such as organisational level, tenure, job category, age, gender or other such factors.
The feedback will focus on the organisation’s or department’s customer service styles. The survey results are intended to provide insights into the quality of service provided to internal or external customers/clients and will be used to improve the ways in which service providers approach their work and interact with customers. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions relating to unit, demographic or positional variables that would otherwise affect the feasibility or accuracy of the feedback reported on groups and/or units within the organisation.
Management/Impact® (M/I)
The responses you provide to the Management/Impact® (M/I) survey items will be scored and analysed to generate feedback that will be used for management development.
The feedback reports developed on the basis of M/I data describe the impact that managers have on the behaviour and performance of others, the management approaches that account for this impact, and their personal and organisational effectiveness. These reports include text, tables and figures that summarise the survey responses by the manager profiled against descriptions provided by others such as their peers, direct reports, or superiors. Responses by individual others are combined with those by at least two additional people except in the case of superiors who consent to have their responses reported separately.
The feedback reports are provided to recipients in either electronic or hard-copy format through the consultant, trainer, or coach administering the development program. Note that in most cases, HSI delivers feedback reports indirectly via program administrators rather than directly to the individuals being described. If you do not know who is administering the program in which em>Management/Impact is being used, you can contact your supervisor or human resources department to discuss how and by whom the report will be delivered.
The survey results are intended to support personal and professional development initiatives and will be used by the focal individuals to establish action plans. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions that would otherwise affect the accuracy or completeness of the feedback provided to the managers participating in the development program.
Data summarised in individual feedback reports within organisations, departments, courses or training sessions might be combined with data in similar reports to generate composite results and group-level reports. In developing these reports, personally identifiable data are aggregated in ways that maintain individuals’ confidentiality.
Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI)
The responses you provide to the Life Styles InventoryTM (LSI) will be scored and analysed to generate feedback that will be used for leadership, management, and/or individual development.
The feedback reports developed on the basis of LSI data describe individuals’ thinking and behavioural styles, the functional and dysfunctional aspects of these styles and, in some cases, personal effectiveness and satisfaction. These reports include tables and figures that summarise the survey responses by the focal individual (e.g., the leader or member participating in the development program) profiled against descriptions provided by others such as peers, direct reports, or superiors. Responses by individual others are combined with those by at least two additional people, except in certain cases in which superiors have consented to have their responses reported separately.
The feedback reports are provided to recipients in either electronic or hard-copy format through the consultant, trainer, or coach administering the development program. Note that in most programs, HSI delivers feedback reports indirectly via program administrators rather than directly to the individuals being described. If you do not know who is administering the program in which the LSI is being used, you can contact your supervisor or human resources department to discuss how and by whom the report will be delivered.
The survey results are intended to support personal and professional development initiatives and will be used by the focal individuals to establish action plans. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions that would otherwise affect the accuracy or completeness of the feedback provided to the individuals participating in the development program.
Data summarised in individual feedback reports within organisations, departments, courses, or training sessions might be combined with data in similar reports to generate composite results and group-level reports. In developing these reports, personally identifiable data are aggregated in ways that maintain individuals’ confidentiality.
Leadership/Impact® (L/I)
The responses you provide to the Leadership/Impact® (L/I) survey items will be scored and analysed to generate feedback that will be used for leadership development.
The feedback reports developed on the basis of L/I data describe the impact that leaders have on the behaviour and performance of others, the leadership strategies that account for this impact, and their personal and organisational effectiveness. These reports include text, tables and figures that summarise the survey responses by the leader profiled against descriptions provided by others such as their peers, direct reports, or superiors. Responses by individual others are combined with those by at least two additional people except in the case of superiors who consent to have their responses reported separately.
The feedback reports are provided to recipients in either electronic or hard-copy format through the consultant, trainer, or coach administering the development program. Note that in most cases, HSI delivers feedback reports indirectly via program administrators rather than directly to individuals being described. If you do not know who is administering the program in which Leadership/Impact is being used, you can contact your supervisor or human resources department to discuss how and by whom the report will be delivered.
The survey results are intended to support personal and professional development initiatives and will be used by the focal individuals to establish action plans. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions that would otherwise affect the accuracy or completeness of the feedback provided to the leaders participating in the development program.
Data summarised in individual feedback reports within organisations, departments, courses or training sessions might be combined with data in similar reports to generate composite results and group-level reports. In developing these reports, personally identifiable data are aggregated in ways that maintain individuals’ confidentiality.
Management Effectiveness Profile System™ (MEPS)
Responses to the Management Effectiveness Profile SystemTM (MEPS) will be scored and analysed to generate feedback that will be used for leadership, management, and/or individual development.
The feedback reports developed on the basis of MEPS data describe the focal manager’s proficiency with respect to 14 specific management skills organised into 3 areas: Task, Personal, and Interpersonal. These reports include text and tables that summarise the survey responses by the manager profiled against descriptions provided by others such as his/her peers, direct reports, or higher-level managers. Responses by individual others are combined with those by at least two additional people except in the case of higher-level managers who consent to have their responses reported separately.
The feedback reports are provided to recipients in either electronic or hard-copy format through the consultant, trainer, or coach administering the development program. Note that in most cases, HSI delivers feedback reports indirectly via program administrators rather than directly to the individuals being described. If you do not know who is administering the program in which MEPS is being used, you can contact your supervisor or human resources department to discuss how and by whom the report will be delivered.
The survey results are intended to support personal and professional development initiatives and will be used by the focal individuals to establish action plans. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions that would otherwise affect the accuracy or completeness of the feedback provided to the managers participating in the development program.
Data summarised in individual feedback reports within organisations, departments, courses or training sessions might be combined with data in similar reports to generate composite results and group-level reports. In developing these reports, personally identifiable data are aggregated in ways that maintain individuals’ confidentiality.
Organisational Culture Inventory® (OCI® and OCI® Ideal)
Responses to the Organisational Culture Inventory® (OCI) will be scored and analysed to provide feedback to your organisation, division, or subunit on its culture. Your data will be combined with that provided by others within your organisation, subunit, team, and/or demographic group to generate composite results and unit-level feedback reports. In developing these reports, the survey responses of individuals are aggregated in ways that protect their confidentiality.
Results will be generated and reported only for units and teams with N=5 or more respondents (unless members of smaller teams consent to the preparation and delivery of such reports). The same guidelines pertain to the reporting of results for groups identified on the basis of demographic or positional strata—organisational level, tenure, job category, age, gender or other such factors.
The feedback will focus on the organisation’s current culture, measured in terms of “what’s expected” of members, and/or its ideal or preferred culture, reflecting what members believe should be expected to maximize their satisfaction and performance. Additional feedback will center on other factors measured by the OCI (and that are related to culture) such as members’ motivation and satisfaction, the quality of the organisation’s products or services, and its capacity to change and improve. The survey results are intended to support organisational development initiatives, quality improvement programs, mergers and acquisitions, and other efforts to improve organisations and their impact on employees, clients, or other stakeholders. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions relating to unit, demographic or positional variables that would otherwise affect the feasibility or accuracy of the feedback reported on groups and/or units within the organisation.
Organisational Effectiveness Inventory™ (OEI)
Responses to the Organisational Effectiveness Inventory® (OEI) will be scored and analysed to provide feedback to your organisation on outcomes (i.e., effectiveness at the individual, group, and organisational levels) and on levers for improving its culture and performance. Your data will be combined with that provided by others within your organisation, subunit, team, and/or demographic group to generate composite results and unit-level feedback reports. In developing these reports, the survey responses of individuals are aggregated in ways that protect their confidentiality.
Results will be generated and reported only for units and teams with N=5 or more respondents (unless members of smaller teams consent to the preparation and delivery of such reports). The same guidelines pertain to the reporting of results for groups identified on the basis of demographic or positional strata—organisational level, tenure, job category, age, gender or other such factors.
The feedback will focus on factors causally related to the organisation’s culture and effectiveness with respect to structures, systems, job design, and the skills and qualities of members. It will also focus on outcomes such as the satisfaction of members, cooperation within teams, and organisational adaptability and quality of service. The survey results may be used to identify possible targets for change as well as strategies for enhancing organisational adaptability and the quality of customer service. Therefore, HSI reserves the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions relating to unit, demographic or positional variables that would otherwise affect the feasibility or accuracy of the feedback reported on groups and/or units within the organisation.
Simulations
Your individual rankings of the items in the Survival Situation™ will be scored and analysed to provide feedback to you on the quality of your solution. Your “individual score” will be calculated by comparing your rankings to those of experts and then combined with those of others within your team to generate an “average individual score.” In developing this average, the scores attained by individuals are aggregated in ways that protect their confidentiality. Note, however, that your consultant, facilitator, or trainer may share (or ask you to share) your individual score for discussion and team-building purposes.
The team-level feedback will focus on the quality of the solution developed by your team, the team’s gain (or loss) in quality relative to the average individual score, and whether the team outperformed the best individual member(s). The rankings and scores may also be used to develop feedback on the extent to which members influenced and accepted (individually and collectively) the team’s solution.
This experiential exercise and the scores may be used to identify the need for team development, possible targets for change, and team-building strategies. Therefore, HSI and your facilitator reserve the right to correct any data collection errors or omissions relating to the group or team to which respondents belong (or their rankings or other responses) that would otherwise affect the feasibility or accuracy of the feedback reported to teams and their members.
Data on your team’s performance might be combined with data on other teams to generate composite results. In developing this feedback, the scores of individual team members are aggregated in ways that maintain their confidentiality. However, note again that your consultant, facilitator, or trainer may share (or ask you to share) your individual score for discussion and team-building purposes.
Our Commitment to Quality
Human Synergistics surveys and experiential exercises for individual, group, and organisational development were developed by Robert A. Cooke, Ph.D., CEO of HSI, J. Clayton Lafferty, Ph.D., founder of HSI, and their colleagues. The survey and exercise sites are designed and developed by Human Synergistics’ Internet Data Assessment Team, with members affiliated with our offices in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Human Synergistics develops and offers, through its Internet and paper-based systems, the best in extensively researched and widely-respected training and development materials. Our surveys, diagnostic inventories, and experiential exercises have been used for over 45 years by organisations throughout the world for leadership development, team building, and organisational change. HSI strives to provide clients with tools that are practical and relevant to the realities of organisational development yet scientifically based, valid, and reliable. In working toward the latter, we extensively test our products and publish the results in research reports and journal articles that are available for your review. Visit https://www.humansynergistics.com/resources/research-and-publications to learn more.