Dear Friends I feel in this case, the HR is either towing the management line blindly, as usual (there's no option in a small Pvt co.), or trying to unleash one of its sticks, as usual, that goes by the name of "confidentiality". Always the instinct of a 'policeman', the mentality of a sadist. I think being an accountant, the person is much more learned and competent in his profession than our HR friends. Please remember that HR is the only profession, where you do not need any qualification; any accreditation or certification. We have already seen, in CiteHR posts itself, that any Tom, Dick and Harry is made an HR manager/executive; be it a receptionist or any person working in office or even fresher. So, anyone can be made an HR functionary and set upon the employees to teach them "discipline". :-P I want to ask you all HR people, who are making a hue and cry over this incident; the following questions : 1. Is it a public limited company ?? 2. Is not CEO a senior functionary of the company - in most cases at least a Director ?? If the answer to both these questions is TRUE/YES; then my ultimate question is : Have you ever seen a company's Annual Report ???? (Hint : An accountant has almost always seen (rather studied) an Annual Report, so he knows what is Confidential and what is in Public Domain; whereas an HR person in most cases, has only "heard" that companies have something called Annual Report, but is ignorant of its content).:-D P.S. - If you still do not get what I am implying, please do not post derogatory posts; rather ask/discuss with a knowledgeable colleague of yours. Regards to you all, my friends - Hats off !!!!