Am I required to sign a confidentiality agreement?

Questioner

4 months after I started working I suddenly had to sign a confidentiality agreement with high fines etc. I work as a financial assistant and book invoices and can view bank details. Am I required to sign this?

Lawyer

No. A confidentiality agreement is an agreement and it assumes that both parties (voluntarily) agree to it. If you do not agree, such an agreement will not be concluded (this also applies to penalty provisions, etc.). You are very likely subject to a confidentiality obligation, but that is then based on the law and/or a possible applicable collective labor agreement.