Time off for antenatal appointments

Pregnant employees are entitled to reasonable time off with pay for antenatal care made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, says guidance from the employment relations service Acas.

This time off may include relaxation classes and parent-craft classes. 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 and seven for any subsequent babies.

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.

There is no legal right to paid time off for antenatal appointments. However, employers may allow this time off with pay under the terms and conditions of employment, or allow employees to take annual leave, swap shifts or make up time.

If a couple are adopting, the main adopter will be able to take paid time off for up to five adoption appointments. The secondary adopter will be entitled to take unpaid time off for up to two appointments.

The right to two unpaid antenatal appointments will also extend to those who will become parents though a surrogacy arrangement, if they expect to satisfy the conditions for, and intend to apply for a Parental Order for the child.

www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5343