Time off rights for partners to attend antenatal appointments


Since 1 October 2014, employees and qualifying agency workers who are expectant fathers or the partner of a pregnant woman have the right to unpaid time off to attend up to two antenatal appointments. 


There is no qualifying service period for employees, but agency workers must have been doing the same kind of job for the same hirer for at least 12 weeks.


This time off is capped at six and a half hours per appointment.


A “partner” can be the baby’s father or the mother’s spouse, civil partner, or partner in an enduring relationship, or the parents of a child in a qualifying surrogacy arrangement.


The employer is not allowed to ask for evidence of the antenatal appointment, such as an appointment card, as this belongs to the expectant mother. However, the employer can ask for a signed declaration stating the date and time of the appointment and confirming that the employee has a “qualifying relationship” with the pregnant woman or her expected child, that the purpose of the time off is to accompany her to the appointment and that the appointment was made on the advice of a registered medical practitioner, nurse or midwife.