Do employers have to give time off to dads for appointments?

[dinomumm]

Just that really. Partner has said he can't come to our 20 week scan because he's too busy at work. Is he not entitled to time off to come? Hopefully someone knows, I was a bit confused by google as some say employers don't have to.

Worrying the misinformation on this thread! Partners are now allowed to all scans at my hospital. My husband had to miss my 12 and 20 week scans but I have another next week so he will attend. However he will take the afternoon off as annual leave because he has holiday to use and doesn’t want to take it unpaid.

I don't think people are giving miss information, Mumsnet isn't just for UK people so likely they not UK posters as posting for their countries rules.

This is useful information, thank you. Especially since with local traffic 6.5 hours is about what it takes us to get to appointments!

Well my partners employer has said it's not company policy that he has that time off? They are arguing he doesn't need 6 and a half hours too, they are being really awkward about it.

The government info that someone else linked to has the details of the declaration that he needs to make so if I was him I'd submit that along with the link to the official information. If he's in a union they might be able to provide more advice.

Following your update is he asking for the full 6.5hrs? As a manager I'd expect any medical appointment to just be the travel time there and back, plus the appointment time (roughly 30 minutes for a scan). I had a long commute with my first and used to WFH on appointment days so I was only away from work for a short period - I know not everyone can do that though.

@Disappointedkoala he's asked for the afternoon off. The hospital is an hours drive away, without factoring in traffic. I am having a scan, also bloods and consultant appointment so they said to allow 1.5 hours. So he needs roughly 4 hours. They are saying it's not company policy so he's not entitled to it off?

Company policy is irrelevant. It’s the law, and if their policy doesn’t reflect the law then it needs to change. What sector is your DH in? This probably needs to go directly to HR.

I suggest he talks to HR

@EmilySpinach

Company policy is irrelevant. It’s the law, and if their policy doesn’t reflect the law then it needs to change. What sector is your DH in? This probably needs to go directly to HR.

Check secure his employment is before he goes to war. In an ideal world you could do this, but many employers will penalise.

Also check op if he wishes to fight this.

Without being too outing he's a technician. So he rearranged the jobs he had that day himself and made sure the customers were all happy with it, so not really anything for his manager to moan about?

He's reluctant to fight it as he's worried he will lose his job, He's a good employee absolutely no reason for him to lose his job over it but he's really worried about it.

[quote EmilySpinach]PP are not correct. Fathers are entitled to unpaid leave to attend two antenatal appointments. Each period of absence can be a maximum of 6.5 hours including travel and waiting time.

maternityaction.org.uk/advice/rights-at-work-for-fathers-and-partners/[/quote]
This.

@dinomumm

He's reluctant to fight it as he's worried he will lose his job, He's a good employee absolutely no reason for him to lose his job over it but he's really worried about it.

It’ll be an automatically unfair dismissal if they do that. I get the worry though of having to fight it but the law would be on his side x

They sound horrible employers though. Imagine what they’ll be like if he wants to take paternity leave if they are like this now.

They can attend two unpaid but may have to show proof of the appointment like a letter. My husband doesn't want to attend my 12 week scan due to work (he's a teacher). I'm a bit miffed but I have been to three scans alone already when my daughter wasn't at childcare so he couldn't come (early scan and two attempts at the harmony test) so it's only because my daughter would be at school for this one that he could come. Also as my last scan was only two weeks previously and my harmony test was all low risk I'm not nervous. He went to both my scans with my firstborn and his work gave him the time off unpaid with no issues.

@AegonT I've read that they cannot ask for evidence of appointment as it's the property of me and my personal details ect, but, I did tell my partner he could use it if he wants to as he's stressing about it. This is my 6th baby and I've done many scans alone, however he couldn't come to my 12 week because of COVID restrictions so we would very much like him to attend this one.

It’ll be an automatically unfair dismissal if they do that. I get the worry though of having to fight it but the law would be on his side x

Which is all that matters right when you’re unemployed and have bills to pay there and then,

@Bluntness100

It’ll be an automatically unfair dismissal if they do that. I get the worry though of having to fight it but the law would be on his side x

Which is all that matters right when you’re unemployed and have bills to pay there and then,

I know 🙄 but it would be unwise for an employer to take the risk.

Plus employers should be complying with the law.

@MadameBlobby

Plus employers should be complying with the law.

Sadly there are many unwise employers and unfair dismissal isn’t uncommon. Companies can come up with a variety of excuses.

Bottom line is, people still need to pay their bills and many can’t risk dismissal and a tribunal.