Confused About Maternity Form No. 10: Should It Be Signed Before or After Leave?

Sir, my name is Balasaraswathy. After my pregnancy, I went to my local branch office. They gave me Form No. 10 to be signed by my employer. After that, I went to my office and asked him to sign the form. However, he said that the form needs to be signed when I rejoin the company. I need clear details about when the form should be signed - is it after taking leave or before? Your help is appreciated.

Dear Balasaraswathy,

Presuming that you are talking about form no. 10 of the ESI Act, the position is that the same has to be certified by your employer after you have rejoined duty. The absent days have to be certified by the employer in the format given in Form 10 itself.