MB10 Form

crazy cat lady

My manager has asked for a copy of my MB10 form (application for maternity benefit) to keep on file.

I can see no reason why they would want or need a copy and feel that there is information within the form that my employer does not need to have access to.

There is no mention in our maternity policy of them keeping a copy on file and I can't find anything online which would make it a requirement for them to have a copy.

I mentioned that I did not need to provide a copy on my last pregnancy and was told that they took a copy when they were completing the employers section the last time.

I'm really unhappy about this as it was done without my knowledge. I am going to ask for the copy to be returned but would first like to check and make sure that there is no reason, legal or otherwise, which would mean that they are entitled to keep a copy of this document.

Thank You in advance

ABajaninCork

What exactly is the problem? Sounds like normal practice to me...

crazy cat lady

The problem is that the form contains information about my husband and children which I have not consented to them keeping on file.

ABajaninCork

I still don't see a problem. This is normal practice...

crazy cat lady

Why is it though? They don't look for copies of Social Welfare forms if I'm off sick.

The form contains information about my family which my employer does not need to know, and furthermore, do not have a right to know. My husband has not consented to them keeping his personal information on file, so how can they justify doing so?

Just because something is 'normal practice' does not necessarily make it right.

ABajaninCork

Then take it up with the Data Commissioner...

crazy cat lady

So basically you don't know any reason why they would want to keep a copy and don't know any reason that would entitle them to keep a copy?

Because that's the advice I came looking for.

Thanks anyway

ABajaninCork

Whatever I say, it clearly isn't what you want to hear. So take it up with the relevant authorities.

crazy cat lady

You haven't addressed my queries at all.

I came looking for advice, not an argument. So thank you but if you don't know the answers to the questions I'm asking, there's no shame in saying so

ABajaninCork

Oookay...

Your Maternity leave has to be certified by your employer. Your MB10 has to be partially completed by them - right? They will need to keep a copy for accounting and tax purposes.

crazy cat lady

Thank you

Stheno

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Oookay...

Your Maternity leave has to be certified by your employer. Your MB10 has to be partially completed by them - right? They will need to keep a copy for accounting and tax purposes.

I'd imagine this is the reason as well

Mrs OBumble

Maternity Benefit is taxable from 1 July 2013 for all claimants. (ref: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/maternity_benefit.html) - even just the way this is administered, your employer could infer some information about your number of children.

If you are lucky enough to be getting top-ups from your employer while you are off, then they will most certainly have to have an audit trail which includes evidence of your MB application.

Also, you only get MB if your employer confirms that you are off work because of being on maternity leave. You can expect that anytime someone has to confirm something like this, they will take a copy of the relevant paperwork so they can prove to their auditors that they're not breaking laws, eg by paying maternity top-ups to people who weren't actually on maternity benefit.

NotaSheep

Just give them a copy with husband's and kids' details blanked out. Problem solved.