Parental leave record redaction is the removal of personal data from the tracking files an employer keeps for time off with children. The unpaid entitlement runs to 18 weeks per child under regs. 13-14 of the Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regs 1999, with the notice and evidence rules in the default scheme at Schedule 2; the shared scheme sits in ERA 1996 ss.75E-75K and the Shared Parental Leave Regs 2014. anonym.plus marks each identifier on your device, so the log stays auditable while family detail drops out.
When this applies
A log lists each parent, a child's date of birth, and the weeks taken against the 18-week cap. You trim those identifiers before the record goes to an external auditor who only has to see the totals.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the tracking file in anonym.plus on your device.
- Local OCR reads any scanned request slip.
- The tool flags parent names, the child's birth date, and notes.
- Confirm each flag and keep the weeks-taken columns intact.
- Swap or black out the confirmed items.
- Save the clean copy locally.
What you need to provide
- The tracking file (XLSX export, PDF, or DOCX).
- An operator: Replace, Redact, or Mask.
- Optional allow-list for entitlement totals you must show.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Daniel Okonkwo → [EMPLOYEE] |
| Child | PERSON | child named → [DEPENDANT] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | DOB 2024 → [DOB] |
| NI number | UK_NINO | QQ 65 43 21 B → [NINO] |
| Contact | EMAIL_ADDRESS | d.okonkwo@example.co.uk → [EMAIL] |
| Location | LOCATION | home address → [ADDRESS] |
Compliance achieved
- Evidences the 18-week-per-child entitlement in Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regs 1999 regs. 13-14 without naming the child.
- Keeps the notice and evidence trail the default scheme in Schedule 2 of those Regulations expects, so an auditor can still test the claim.
- Covers records for the shared scheme under ERA 1996 ss.75E-75K and the Shared Parental Leave Regs 2014.
- Offline work keeps family data off any server, in line with UK GDPR Art. 5(1)(c) minimisation and the DPA 2018. Batch up to 20 files when a site keeps many logs.
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Limitations & cautions
A child's birth date plus a parent's role can still hint at one household. The tool flags named items; it cannot judge when a unique pattern re-identifies a family, and it does not decide how long the underlying file should be retained. Review small-group rows before sharing, and treat any reason note as potentially health data under Art. 9.
Frequently asked questions
How long should these records be kept?
Long enough to show entitlement and weeks taken under regs. 13-14 of the 1999 Regulations, and to answer a claim. Retention must be justified under UK GDPR Art. 5(1)(e); redacted identifiers still leave the dates and totals that matter.
Is the shared scheme logged the same way?
The entitlement is different — ERA 1996 ss.75E-75K and the 2014 Regulations that sit under it — but the file carries the same parent, child, and date identifiers, so a single pass cleans both sets without any change of settings.
Does anything go to a server?
No. The tool is a 100% offline desktop app. Nothing is uploaded, so the family data stays on your device.