A lecturer is urging Oldham MPs to attend a parliamentary debate on statutory sick pay for women with endometriosis.
The call comes ahead of a Westminster Hall debate scheduled for Monday 13 April at 4.30pm, which will consider support for those living with the condition.
Endometriosis Awareness North says women with the condition are often forced to work through severe pain or take unpaid leave, estimating sufferers lose around £3400 every five years due to a lack of statutory sick pay.
The charity is encouraging residents to contact Oldham MPs Debbie Abrahams and Jim McMahon to attend the debate and support proposed changes.
The campaign is backed by maths lecturer Laura Culshaw, who has lived with endometriosis for 25 years. She said in a published blog that she feels “dismissed, doubted, and left behind”.
She described how the condition has affected her education and career, including falling behind in her studies and pausing a master’s degree. She also said the pain can be so severe that she is at times unable to walk.
Dr Anita Sharma, founder of Endometriosis Awareness North, said the condition can have a significant financial and professional impact. “If you are unfortunate enough to have endo, it’s anticipated that you lose £56 per month in income from unpaid sick days and the cost of healthcare” she said.
“And then there is the constant thought that time off means falling behind at work and even becoming a liability to your company. We have heard of instances where bosses have not promoted employees with endo, and even let them go.”
The charity also highlighted wider challenges faced by those with endometriosis, including long delays in diagnosis, serious health risks and mental health impacts.
Campaigners are calling for measures such as flexible working, access to rest areas and statutory sick pay during flare ups.
Dr Sharma added “This may seem like an extra cost for the government but actually it is a financial saving for businesses and the economy. If allowed to recover from a flare-up, someone with endo is not going to try and battle through it and have even more time off. If they are less anxious about the money they are losing, that will mean a healthier outcome, too.”
The debate follows a public petition calling for up to three days of statutory sick pay per month for people with endometriosis.
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