Marital Status when filling out employment forms

illmonkey

I am just filling in the forms to take into my 1st day at my new job tomorrow.

I was just wondering what marital status I should put on the form.

I am not married, but I am currently living with my partner.

Usually I just answer 'single' on these questionairres, as it seems the term 'co-habiting' is quite new and not used all that commonly yet.

But if I put 'single' it may be seen as a lie to my new employer when they know that I am living with someone long term.

dmg24

If you are living with a partner, then put 'Living with partner' or 'cohabiting'.

bristol_pilot

The reason they need your marital status is for pensions/benefits reasons, so if you are married (or in a same-sex civil partnership) you should say so. Otherwise 'single'. Who sleeps in your bed is none of their business.

LittleVoice

illmonkey wrote: »

I was just wondering what marital status I should put on the form.

I am not married, but I am currently living with my partner.

Usually I just answer 'single' on these questionairres, as it seems the term 'co-habiting' is quite new and not used all that commonly yet.

But if I put 'single' it may be seen as a lie to my new employer when they know that I am living with someone long term.

Marital status is simply whether you are married or not. You are not married, so you are correct to put "Single". (But I agree that if you were in a formal Civil Partnership, it would be sensible to state that because of pensions and death in service benefits - there's a cheery thought for your first day!)

"Co-habiting" is not a marital status.

Savvy_Sue

Presumably one of the questions is who they should contact in an emergency (another cheery thought for your first day!) For that, calling them your partner helps them know who it is they're calling!

brightonman123

btw, 'yes please' in the sex question area is NOT a valid answer!

maninthestreet

How about 'Going steady' ???

Mazzarati2000

I'm co-habiting & my partner is included on my health, dental & travel ins from my company. Diff companies view co-habiting differently, so I would consider: single (co-habiting)if it were me? As some others have mentioned, 'Single' is factually corect in the strictest term, however co-habiting may be relevant/useful for your employer to know if it's something you're happy to disclose. Just a thought! :-)

wigglebeena

I get confused by this one. 'None of the above' often seems to be the appropriate answer.

paulwf

If only we were as sensible as the Swedes. They have the word "sambo" which means living together like a married couple, it sounds so much better than "living in sin" They also have a less commonly used word särbo meaning to be in a fairly serious relationship but not living together.

Savvy_Sue

brightonman123 wrote: »

btw, 'yes please' in the sex question area is NOT a valid answer!

maninthestreet wrote: »

How about 'Going steady' ???

I don't think that's a valid answer to the sex question either. :rotfl: (sorry, couldn't help myself!)

paulwf wrote: »

If only we were as sensible as the Swedes. They have the word "sambo" which means living together like a married couple, it sounds so much better than "living in sin" They also have a less commonly used word särbo meaning to be in a fairly serious relationship but not living together.

I wonder how many relationships founder because he thinks they're särbo but she's ready to sambo ...

I guess we're back to "Why do they want / need to know?" For pensions etc there are legal implications, for most other purposes it's just so they know who to call if you have an accident at work. Easiest thing is to ask what they want there: Single but Living with Partner covers all the bases ...