On a zero-hours contract and having a miscarriage. Important meeting with PI.

[UpTheDuffWithOnlyASatnav]

Not sure what to do. I'm scary both of turning up and losing my dignity (by ahem bleeding and/or bursting into tears) and of cancelling and being sacked on the spot (due to having zero employment rights). I love the job, am hoping it'll turn into a fixed-term contract, feel as though my love of this job is going to be important in carrying me through this miscarriage. Does anyone have any advice?

I’m sorry for your loss . I would say call in advance and ask if you can join the meeting by phone indicating your willingness but not making yourself feel over exposed. Good luck.

In my workplace, it would be fine to ring in and explain that for personal reasons you can't make the meeting physically, but that you could phone in or catch up afterwards, and that you are really committed to te hproject.

I honestly wouldn't think twice about this, would happily reschedule, and would want you to take time off- is it possible your potential boss is a really nice person too and isn't going to be cross at all, and that this is just you panicking?