SINCE October 1, 2014, fathers and partners of an expectant mother are entitled to take unpaid leave to accompany the expectant mother to ante-natal appointments.
The new entitlement is part of a number of Government measures designed to ‘achieve greater involvement of both of the child’s parents from the earliest stages of pregnancy’.
The new entitlement allows employees to take unpaid leave for up to two ante-natal appointments, with total time capped at 6.5 hours per appointment.
Subject to certain eligibility requirement, employees will be able to claim twice their hourly pay for each hour they would have taken off to attend an ante-natal class, should an employer refuse them the leave.
Employees are also protected from suffering detrimental treatment and any resulting dismissal will be automatically unfair.
In view of the new entitlement, employers should review their current family related policies so that they reflect the change in law.
The Porter Dodson Employment law team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact Laura Roper on 01823-625816 or laura.roper@porterdodson.co.uk
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