For decades women have had the right to take paid time off from work to attend antenatal appointments, and on the 1 October 2014 this right is going to be extended to expectant fathers and partners by virtue of the new Children and Families Act 2014 (though there is not going to be a corresponding right for this time to be paid).
However, while expectant mothers usually attend around 10 antenatal appointments, the new law only allows expectant fathers and partners to attend up to two appointments for a maximum of 6.5 hours each. Though, employers can use their discretion and allow employees more than the statutory periods off.
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