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Original poster

HR Email...

63 replies

YouBetterWerk · 09/01/2015 10:42

Name changed in case I out myself!
I was going to post this in AIBU but thought FC was actually more fitting.

I have recently been made permanent at my job and received this Email from HR when I got in this morning:

^Please can you see * in Finance and confirm your marital status to her. I understand your title is Miss but we are not to presume this means you are single. This is needed for payroll.^

I know the Ms/Mrs/Miss has been done to death but really??
And the 'not to presume you are single' line irked me slightly too. Or am I over thinking it?

I responded with a confused email saying 'Perhaps just Ms then?'

I am really struggling though, and feel like I want to say more but don't know what.
The sender isn't in work today so I am hoping someone can tell me if I'm being oversensitive or if anything else should be said?
Confused

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/01/2015 11:30

Then they could just tick "other" for everyone flowery. Collecting data without a valid purpose is not permitted under the Data Protection Act.

A software issue (which this probably is) should be dealt with as a software issue, not an edict that must be followed. Not least because it's a massive waste of time. So far three or four people have been involved in what is literally a box ticking exercise. Madness.

flowery · 09/01/2015 11:25

To be fair to them, "compulsory field" probably means their payroll software won't process a new starter without a box being ticked. So a man would have this issue and it's less likely to be a sexist decision that female employees' marital status is relevant while male employees' status is not, and more likely to be a case of unnecessary bureaucracy.

Original poster
YouBetterWerk · 09/01/2015 11:22

Indeed Gilbert. Married to cousin? Bigamist? Hermit?

OP posts:
GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 09/01/2015 11:10

I wonder what they think the "other" field is for?

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 09/01/2015 11:10

A man wouldn't have this issue. I'd point this out and ask them not to bother you again with this trivia.

TheCowThatLaughs · 09/01/2015 11:06

What a load of bollocks!

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/01/2015 11:06

I'd tell them to mind their own business. What a load of nonsense.

Original poster
YouBetterWerk · 09/01/2015 11:02

Ok, I have just been up and casually asked about it and I am told it is because it is 'a compulsory field. You are either Single, Married, Divorced or Other'
I am engaged and living with my partner and so I said.
'Oh, well, I guess 'Other' then?'
'No, you would be single. And when you get married you'll have to come back and let us know so we can change it'
I then faux-surprised and said 'Oh, wow, so does it effect my pay then?' and they laughed and said 'No, of course not'.
Because that would be silly.

OP posts:
Original poster
YouBetterWerk · 09/01/2015 10:52

Haha Moving I hadn't thought of that. Stretches out

It may be something to do with Tax, but even that is slightly weird isn't it? I think I'm just going to go up and ask...

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 09/01/2015 10:48

Why do they need to know your marital status?

Maybe * in finance would like to ask you out? Wink

TheCowThatLaughs · 09/01/2015 10:48

It's not something to do with tax allowances is it?

flowery · 09/01/2015 10:46

I don't think there's anything wrong with them being told not to presume someone is single just because they go by Miss. I think the issue is why on earth do Payroll need to know your relationship status in the first place.

HaroldsBishop · 09/01/2015 10:44

Just straight out ask them why they need your marital status?

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