Home Depot Releases Associate Privacy Statement, Clarifies Employee Data Use

Home Depot is setting out formal ground rules for employee data in a new Associate Privacy Statement that applies to current and former associates and to job candidates in its United States operations. The statement identifies the categories of personal information the company collects in connection with recruiting, hiring, workforce management and the use of company technology and websites, and explains the purposes for which that information is used.

The company says data is used to communicate with associates, administer employment and benefits programs, manage payroll and workforce systems, perform workforce analytics, meet legal obligations and protect against security risks and fraud. It also frames data use in human resources processes such as hiring, performance management and other personnel actions. The statement details recipients of information, noting that internal teams and third party service providers may receive employment related data as part of routine business operations.

The document outlines rights and choices available to associates, and points associates to contact channels for privacy questions. It also makes explicit that company systems may be monitored for security and business purposes, a clarification that will be central to disputes or questions about workplace monitoring and data access. By spelling out categories of data, purposes and handling practices, the statement provides an operational reference for supervisors, HR professionals, legal counsel and workplace relations staff when concerns arise.

For workers, the statement offers greater transparency about what to expect when data is collected through scheduling tools, payroll platforms and company devices. The balance between business needs and individual privacy remains a practical concern, as monitoring and analytics tools become more common in retail operations. HR and legal teams will likely rely on the statement when responding to associate inquiries and complaints, and when establishing or revising local store and district practices to align with corporate privacy commitments.

The Associate Privacy Statement serves as the primary corporate description of employment related data practices, and underscores the growing importance of clear data governance in large employers as workers seek more information about how their personal data is used.