Equality news
Antenatal care
The employment relations service Acas has issued guidance on time off for antenatal care
Pregnant employees are entitled to reasonable time off with pay for antenatal care made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner. Except for the first appointment, employees should show the employer (if requested), an appointment card or other documents showing that an appointment has been made.
For a first baby women can expect to have up to 10 antenatal appointments. If an employee has previously had a baby then they may have about seven antenatal appointments.
Fathers, partners and civil partners of a pregnant woman are entitled to unpaid time off during working hours to accompany her to two ante-natal appointments.