Pregnancy Appointments: Your Legal Rights to Time Off Work

Pregnancy Appointments: Your Legal Rights to Time Off Work

If you are pregnant and working, you likely have questions about how to balance medical care with your job. In the UK, the law provides strong protections for pregnant employees to ensure you can attend essential check-ups without losing pay.

Here is everything you need to know about your rights, pay, and how to talk to your employer.

1. Do I Get Paid Time Off for Antenatal Appointments?

Yes. By law, all pregnant employees have the right to “reasonable” time off with full pay for antenatal care. This is a statutory right under the Employment Rights Act 1996, meaning your employer cannot ask you to “make up the hours” later or take it as unpaid leave.

What counts as “Antenatal Care”?

It isn’t just medical scans. Legally, it covers:

• Routine midwife and GP appointments.

• Hospital scans and blood tests.

• Medical specialist appointments related to the pregnancy.

• Antenatal classes (e.g., relaxation or parenting classes), provided they are recommended by a doctor or midwife.

Note: You may not be entitled to paid time off for “extra” elective appointments, such as private 4D “souvenir” scans or voluntary pregnancy yoga classes, unless your employer agrees to it.

2. Does My Employment Status Matter?

Your rights are protected from day one of your employment.

• Full-time and Part-time: The rules are identical. You are entitled to paid time off regardless of how many hours you work.

• Agency Workers: You qualify for paid time off for appointments once you have been in the same assignment for at least 12 weeks. You can find more specific guidance for agency workers on the ACAS website.

3. Can My Partner Get Time Off Too?

Expectant partners (including civil partners and the biological father) have a legal right to take time off to attend up to two antenatal appointments.

• Duration: Up to 6.5 hours per appointment.

• Pay: Unlike the pregnant employee, this time off is usually unpaid unless your contract states otherwise.

• Rights: This is a “day one” right; your partner does not need a minimum length of service to claim this.

4. When and How Should I Tell My Employer?

While you might want to keep your pregnancy private early on, there are specific deadlines for legal protection:

• The 15-Week Rule: You must inform your employer of your pregnancy at least 15 weeks before your due date (roughly when you are 25 weeks pregnant).

• The MATB1 Form: Around week 20, your midwife or GP will give you a MATB1 certificate. This is the official medical evidence your employer needs to arrange your Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

• Proof of Appointments: Your employer can request an appointment card or email confirmation for any appointment (except the very first one).

Pro Tip: Even if you tell your boss face-to-face, always follow up with an email. This creates a “paper trail” that protects your legal rights.

5. Can My Employer Refuse My Request?

An employer cannot force you to reschedule an appointment to a time that is more convenient for them, nor can they refuse a “reasonable” request.

If you feel you are being treated unfairly, remember:

1. It is illegal to fire or discipline an employee for attending pregnancy appointments.

2. It is considered pregnancy discrimination to treat you unfavourably because you are pregnant.

Summary of Rights

Useful Resources

For more detailed legal advice, visit:

• ACAS: Comprehensive advice on pregnancy and maternity rights at work.

• GOV.UK: Official guidance on statutory maternity pay, leave, and calculator tools.

• NHS Antenatal Care: Information on what to expect during your scheduled appointments.

• Maternity Action: A leading charity providing specialized advice for pregnant workers.