Privacy

This privacy statement covers the site HireGroundSoftware.com and all other domains owned by The Hour Group Inc. referencing HireGround® and it’s subsidiary sites. The Hour Group has agreed to disclose all of its information practices for the following data collected, along with its use on the sites referenced above:

  • Personal identifiable information HireGround® collects.
  • Personal identifiable information the third parties collect through the Website.
  • Company contact information for those individuals utilizing the site services.
  • HireGround’s use of the information.
  • HireGround’s share policy on user information.
  • Choices available to users regarding collection, use and distribution of the information.
  • Types of security procedures in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of information under HireGround’s control.
  • Options available to users that allow for corrections in any inaccuracies in the information.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this statement, please first contact customer support by e-mail at support@HireGroundSoftware.com.

Information Collection and Use Cookies

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. We use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies.

For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply terminates. A persistent cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s hard drive for an extended period of time. Persistent cookies can be removed by following Internet browser help file directions.

By setting a cookie on our site, users do not have to log in more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If users reject the cookie, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will be limited in some areas of our site. For example, the user will not be able to participate in any of our sweepstakes, contests or monthly drawings that take place.

Persistent cookies enable us to track and target the interests of our users in order to enhance the experience on our site. (See the Enhancement of Marketing Profile section).

Some of our business partners use cookies on our site (for example, advertisers). However, we have no access to or control over these cookies, once we have given permission for them to set cookies on any of the HireGround® sites. This privacy statement covers the use of cookies by HireGround®only and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.

Third Party Advertising

Information about a user’s visit to this site, such as the number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), is used to serve ads to users on this site.

Log Files

Like most standard Website servers, we use log files. This includes Internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses are tied to personally identifiable information to enable our Web-based service. We also use a tracking utility called AWStats that uses log files to analyze user movement.

 

Communications from the Site

Newsletter

If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter, we ask for contact information such as name and e-mail address. Out of respect for a user’s privacy, we provide a way to opt-out of these communications. (See the Choice/Opt-out section).

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an e-mail. Users may opt-out of these communications. (Please see the Choice/Opt-out section).

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a periodic basis regarding notification of changes to service, or of a resolution to an account issue via e-mail or phone, in accordance with the users wishes.

 

Sharing

Legal Disclaimer

Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, disclosure of personal information may be required by law wherein a good-faith belief exists that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our Website.

Aggregate Information (non-personally identifiable)

Aggregated demographic information is shared with our partners and advertisers. This information is not linked to any personally identifiable information.

 

Business Transitions

In the event HireGround’s clients goes through a business transition, such as a merger, or sale in part or whole to another company, users’ personal information will, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred. Users will be notified via e-mail and prominent notice on our Website for 30 days prior to a change of ownership or control of their personal information. If as a result of the business transition, the users’ personally identifiable information will be used in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection they will be given choice consistent with our notification of changes section.

 

Choice/Opt-out

Users of HireGroundSoftware.com and associated sites are given the opportunity to ‘opt-out’ of having their information used for purposes not directly related to our site at the point information is requested.

For example, our newsletter unsubscribe form allows users to choose to not be included in marketing material mailers. Users not wishing to receive our newsletter and promotional communications may unsubscribe to stop receiving these communications by replying to the e-mail and including unsubscribe in the subject line of the e-mail.

The user may also opt-out by contacting us at the contact information listed below.

Users of our site are always notified if information is being collected by any outside party. This allows users to make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with services that require an outside party.

 

Links

This Website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that HireGround® is not responsible for the privacy practices of other such sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave HireGroundSoftware.com or related sites and to read the privacy statements of other sites that collect personal identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by HireGround® and related sites.

 

Surveys & Contests

Periodically users receive requests for information via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary. The user can choose whether or not to disclose this information. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip code).

Contact information will be shared with the contest or survey sponsors to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of the HireGround® service. Users’ personal identifiable information is not shared with third parties unless we give prior notice and the use is approved. In a case where an intermediary is used to conduct surveys or contests, they may not use users’ personal identifiable information for any secondary purposes.

Chat Rooms, Message Boards, and Public Forums

Please keep in mind that whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online – for example on message boards, through e-mail, or in chat areas – that information can be collected and used by others. In short, by posting personal information online that is publicly accessible, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return.

Security

This Website takes every precaution to protect our users’ information. When users submit sensitive information via the Website, their information is protected both online and off-line as described below.

When our registration/order form asks users to enter sensitive information (such as credit card number and/or social security number), that information is encrypted and is protected with the best encryption software in the industry – SSL. While on a secure page, such as our order form, the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked, or open, when users are just ‘surfing’.

While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also do everything in our power to protect user-information off-line. All of our users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information.

Our employees must use password-protected screen-savers when they leave their desk. When they return, they must re-enter their password to re-gain access to user information. Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices. Every quarter, as well as any time new policies are added, our employees are notified and/or reminded about the importance we place on privacy, and what they can do to ensure our users’ information is protected.

Finally, the servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment. If users have any questions about our security policy, users can e-mail questions to info@HireGroundSoftware.com.

 

Supplementation of Information

In order for this Website to properly fulfill its obligation to users it is necessary for us to supplement the information received with information from 3rd party sources.

Credit Check

For example, to determine if users qualify for one of the sites’ credit cards, the user’s name and social security number is used to request a credit report. Once we determine a user’s credit-worthiness, this document is destroyed.

Purchasing History

In order for this Website to enhance its ability to tailor the site to a user’s preference, we combine information about the purchasing habits of users with similar information from our partners, to create a personalized user profile.

Enhancement of Marketing Profile

Purchase of third party marketing data added to our existing user database gives information to better target advertising and provide pertinent offers our users would be interested in. This information is used to enhance or overlay the ‘profile’ of individual users. This aggregate marketing data is therefore tied to the users’ personal identifiable information.

Correcting/Updating/Deleting/Deactivating Personal Information

If a user’s personal identifiable information changes (such as zip code, phone, e-mail or postal address), or if a user no longer desires our service, there is a provision to correct, update or delete/deactivate users’ personal identifiable information. This can also be done by e-mailing our customer support at info@HireGroundSoftware.com or contacting us at the contact information listed below.

Notification of Changes

Should our privacy policy change, notification will be posted on the Website’s homepage, and other locations deemed appropriate such that users are aware of how information is collected, how it is used, under what circumstances, and if any, how disclosed. Information will be used in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.Should users’ personal identifiable information be used in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection we will notify users via e-mail. Users will have a choice as to whether or not their information is used in this different manner. If users have opted out of all communication with the site, then they will not be contacted, nor will their personal information be used in this new manner.Additionally, if we make any material changes in our privacy practices that affects user information already stored in our database, a notice will be posted prominently on the Website. In some cases authorized e-mail circulars will be forwarded to users, notifying them of the changes in to any privacy practices.

Contact Information

If users have any questions or suggestions regarding HireGround’s privacy policy, please contact us:
HireGround®
p: 403.244.1895 or (toll free) 1.877.218.7504
f: 403.244.4313
e: sales@HireGroundSoftware.com
Postal Address:
6227 2nd Street SE, Suite 119
Calgary, AB
T2H 1J5