Sick/Bereavement leave advice

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I’ve been off sick for a few weeks after a miscarriage and the resulting surgery. My sick leave ends on Friday. I’ve been told that I’m entitlemed to take a week bereavement leave as well. It sounds like I’m able to tag this on the end of my sick leave. I assumed any bereavement leave entitlement would be overridden by the sick leave?

I’m worried I’ve already had too much time off (and have lots of annual leave coming up in December) and am wondering whether to take it or not.

I don’t want to take advantage or be seen as someone taking the piss. I’ve got a disability that’s made me a bit sensitive about sick leave and the impact on my colleagues. I’m not sure if it would be reasonable to take the bereavement leave after the time off I’ve already had?

Do you need more time off? Only you can answer this. With my first miscarriage I went back too soon but it was a ridiculous job were people were expected to be in all the time. For my second one I was emotionally ready to return well before I was physical ready to return and was off for a few weeks.

Time off sick is due to a miscarriage is not counted towards redundancy scoring because it only effects women, a being a women is a protected characteristic.

I'm really sorry for your loss OP.

you seem uncertain as to the terms of the bereavement leave? Have you checked with your manager/HR department?

If you're entitled to it and you feel you need it, then take it. It's your employers responsibility to make sure your colleagues are not suffering as a result of your absence, not yours.

However, if you're physically recovered, maybe a couple of weeks in work as a distraction, knowing you've got leave to look forward to in December, may be beneficial. Buy only you can decide what's right for you right now.

Am so sorry for your loss, your booked leave isn't something that you need to worry about just now. Take your sick leave and bereavement absolutely.

Only you know how much time you need. I am in the same position currently (still waiting to see if I need surgery) and do not feel ready to be at work. With my last mmc I only took a couple of days but this one has hit harder.
I am able to use 3 days bereavement leave and I have 8 sick days available after that (I am not in the UK). After that I will move onto unpaid leave or annual leave if necessary. My work have told me to take as long as I need and this time I am going to listen, to them and to myself. If there was ever a time to only think about your own needs, it's now.
Sorry you are also going through this crappy crappy time x

Sorry for your loss op. I guess it depends what you think you want and what you need. If you’d rather go back to work then that’s fine but if you feel you need more time off that’s fine too.

Thank you all so much for replying.
@onelostsoulswimminginafishbowl I’m so sorry you’re going through this too. It is such a horrible process physically and mentally. I found the miscarriage thread really helpful when dealing with the physical side of things and practical information about the surgery.

I feel so numb and feel a bit incapable of making decisions at the moment which is the complete opposite of my normal personality. I’m usually quite decisive but I just don’t feel any of the usual urgency to make choices, reply to messages, arrange things.

Thank you for the good advice.