From 1 October 2014, an employee or agency worker who has a “qualifying relationship” with a pregnant woman or her expected child will be entitled to take unpaid  time off during their working hours to accompany the woman to antenatal appointments. “Qualifying relationship” includes spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners of the pregnant woman as well as the father of the child and those who expect to get a parental order in a surrogacy arrangement.  The right to take time off is limited to no more than two occasions lasting no more than six and a half hours each.