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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be pissed off DH's work asking for my Mat B1?

77 replies

QueenArseClangers · 25/10/2013 14:10

DH is sorting out his paternity leave for this Jan when our baby arrives. His work have asked for MY mat b1 form. In the government/hmrc websites it states that this is not required and only filling in a self-certification form is needed.
What pisses me off is a) the mat b1 form is my personal document b) his work won't have data protection to deal with said document in confidence and c) the info is out there for employers to know that they don't need MY form.
Guess it's also just the principle of the the thing too. Got me in a right hormonal pregnant nark, aibu?

OP posts:

WallyBantersJunkBox · 25/10/2013 14:13

Copy and paste the guidelines into an email to the HR department and a note just to say dh is confused as the law states this isn't required.

What are you afraid of if they do see the document?

bittapitta · 25/10/2013 14:18

Why are you concerned about confidentiality? You need to show it to your employer around 20 weeks too. I think YABU, it's just paperwork.

BlackbeltinBS · 25/10/2013 14:20

First part of what WallyBanter says. He should email them quoting the Govt guidance so he doesn't believe it necessary and obviously he's happy to self-certify as the law requires.

Data protection is one of those areas where it's easy to think "does it really matter" but actually, yes, it does.

Original poster

QueenArseClangers · 25/10/2013 14:22

Ha ha! Not worried about anything on the document (name/address/edd) it's just that dh's work can be right arses that think they can make the rules up as they go along eg. ignoring health and safety/disabilaty guidelines and this seems to be another example, albeit small,of them doing that.
Just rang DH and he's going to show them the guidelines. Just cheesed off at the poo heads.

OP posts:

BigOrangePumpkin · 25/10/2013 14:23

My workplace ask expectant fathers for theirs.

Idespair · 25/10/2013 14:25

I had to get mine for dh's job as well. Not worth getting upset about IMO.

Original poster

QueenArseClangers · 25/10/2013 14:25

It's different showing it to my employer who already has my confidential info and I have a legal obligation to do so but not my husband's as they've sod all right to access a personal document.

OP posts:

YDdraigGoch · 25/10/2013 14:27

It's not a personal document. It's proof that you're pregnant. Any man could ask for paternity leave if he didn't have to prove his partner was pregnant. I don't see what the issue is.

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:31

the point is there is no need for them to have the document as it is not required for them to see it. They dont need proof of the pregnancy or birth to qualify for ordinary paternity pay.

from here:

For Ordinary Paternity Leave and Pay you don’t need proof of the pregnancy or birth - the rules are different if you adopt.

BigOrangePumpkin · 25/10/2013 14:33

Correct me if I'm wrong but won't he have to fill in an SC3 form which has the same info on it anyway?

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:33

they have a form to fill in (SC3 or the employers own form) and that is all the employer needs to see - they have no requirement to see the MATB1

LittlePeaPod · 25/10/2013 14:33

It all depends on each companies policy. Guidelines are exactly what they say they are "guidelines". I don't understand what the big deal is with providing a copy of your MatB form. The reason we get it is to give to employers.

My company asks all fathers to provide a copy of the MatB and I have yet heard anyone complain about it. IMHO, I think you are been extremely unreasonable and difficult. Why kick off about something so unnecessary?

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:36

why should she have to show it if the government says there is no need for them to see it.? It isnt a guideline, its the law and I dont see how company policy can override that. She has it for her own employer, not anyones elses.

littleblackno · 25/10/2013 14:36

Someone I know worked with a man who took pat leave - they bought him a pressie for the baby etc - there was no baby (not even sure he had a girlfriend). I know what the law says but i don't think it's entirely unreasonable for the mans employers to want some proof. In fact I'm surprised that it isn't the case that they don't need to see your form.

WooWooOwl · 25/10/2013 14:36

I don't see the problem, and I find it a bit odd that anyone would have a problem with it.

It's just proof that you're pregnant, that's all. If you don't want to show them the form, you don't have to. Just prepare yourself to be alone for the birth and the first couple of weeks of your baby's life.

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:38

thats why they have to sign a declaration and then there can be penalties if they have taken leave fraudulently. Why they would want to drop to SPP is beyond me though!

KirjavaTheCorpse · 25/10/2013 14:38

I'm a sahm but got one, fully expecting DP to have to give it to his work. They didn't bother asking for it in the end but it never occured to me to be pissed off about it.

When I was working and pregnant last time, however, and my HR department lost it four fucking times, I was very pissed off indeed.

LittlePeaPod · 25/10/2013 14:39

I didn't say company policy over rides it. I said she is been difficult and unreasonable without any good reason. Very odd and unprofessional behaviour IMHO. What is the big deal? Mountain out of a mole hill!

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:40

but they dont need to see the MATB1 as her dh will sign a declaration to say he is taking paternity leave and pay and that is all they need to see. He can still get leave/pay without them seeing the MATB1 as the law states

ilovepowerhoop · 25/10/2013 14:40

if she doesnt have to then why should she though. Maybe she doesnt trust them not to lose it

BigOrangePumpkin · 25/10/2013 14:44

She wouldn't send them the original because that needs to go to her employers, she would just send a copy. And all the info is it the expected week of child birth, which I would assume most people will know?! Hardly breaking DPA is it?

SHRIIIEEEKFuckingBearBlood · 25/10/2013 14:47

"nt b) his work won't have data protection to deal with said document in confidence"

Not sure what you mean. Presumably they deal with their own hr records and so have all the data protrction knowledge they need to handle your matb1

Original poster

QueenArseClangers · 25/10/2013 14:47

What about SAHMs who don't need/get given one? The rules are blatantly out there but it seems that some employers just find it easier to ignore them and this, in my pregnant brain, is just the tip of the iceberg.
If DH worked for some friendly small business who followed the 'rules' and asked for the form out of conveinience perhaps I wouldn't mind but this is a multinational newspaper group that should know better.

OP posts:

LittlePeaPod · 25/10/2013 14:48

ilovepower not sure if that was in response to me but my question was directed at the op And I dont believe you are the Op.

Sending a copy isn't that big a deal. I find this type of irrational, difficult and unreasonable behaviour a bit odd. It reminds me of teenage strops. If it ws something really important then maybe, but this seriously. Don't you have anything better to stress about Op?

SHRIIIEEEKFuckingBearBlood · 25/10/2013 14:48

Do they not? Why not, it comes from the mw, presumably they can ask.

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