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Information on epilepsy: Employment and epilepsy |
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Nearly all jobs are open to people with epilepsy and having epilepsy does not necessarily prevent people from working in the job they choose. This page looks at employment issues for people with epilepsy and their employers. What is epilepsy?Epilepsy is the tendency to have repeated seizures that start in the brain. One in 20 people will have an epileptic seizure at some time in their life and around one in 131 people in the UK has epilepsy. However, up to 70% of people with epilepsy do not have seizures because their epilepsy is controlled with medication. There are over 40 different types of seizures. Some people have seizures where they lose consciousness and they may fall or have convulsions (jerking movements). Other people have seizures where they become confused and may not know what they are doing. More information on seizures Epilepsy can vary greatly; how it affects one person may be very different to how it affects someone else. With employment, it is important to look at each person's epilepsy and how it affects them. For example, it could be helpful to ask:
Questions like these can help to make realistic decisions about the effects that person's epilepsy might have on their job. I have epilepsy. What type of work can I do?If you have epilepsy, the type of work you can do will depend on whether you still have seizures, what your seizures are like and how often they happen. It also depends on what the job involves, the risks that having seizures at work might have for you and people around you. Information on specific jobs I'm an employer. What should I consider when employing someone with epilepsy?With all applicants, the first consideration needs to be whether the person has the qualifications, skills and experience to do the job. Most people have their epilepsy controlled with medication and do not have seizures. If this is the case their epilepsy may have little or no impact on their work. If the person has seizures, it can be helpful to find out how their particular seizures affect them. This is because seizures can vary from person to person, so generalising about epilepsy can be unhelpful. The type of work involved and the safety of all employees must also be considered. More tips on recruitment Safety in the workplaceEmployers have a duty to protect all employees from possible dangers to their health and to ensure their safety in the workplace. Employees also have a responsibility for their own safety at work, and that of their work colleagues. Any risks to people's health and safety in work activities need to be formally assessed. If someone has seizures, the effect this may have on their working conditions depends on their individual epilepsy and their workplace. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), any potential risk to safety due to someone having seizures needs to be assessed on an individual basis, because each situation and each workplace will be different. The HSE can provide general information and guidance for employers about work-related health and safety issues. To find your local HSE office, call the HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055 or visit HSE website (opens new window). Some jobs have greater risks to safety if a person is still having seizures. These include working at heights, near open water or around unguarded machinery or fires. However, safety regulations mean that machinery must have suitable protective guards. This should help prevent any injuries if a seizure happens nearby. Funding for extra guards or safety equipment may be available through the Access to Work scheme. Epilepsy and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)Is epilepsy a disability?Epilepsy is a condition that is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The DDA makes it unlawful for someone with a disability to be treated less favourably than another person in terms of employment, unless there is a justifiable reason, for example, a risk to safety. The DDA:
People with epilepsy
are protected from being treated unfairly under the terms of the DDA,
even if their seizures are controlled with medication. But not every person
with epilepsy considers it to be a disability.
I have epilepsy. Are there some jobs I can't do?The DDA means that most employers cannot refuse you a job just because you have epilepsy. However this does not necessarily mean that you can definitely do any job that is covered by the DDA. Employers must still ensure your health and safety, and that of all their other employees. This means they may need to look at how your epilepsy could affect the work you do in terms of safety. Jobs in the armed services can still be restricted by law to people with epilepsy or a history of epilepsy. Other professions may have their own specific health regulations if someone's epilepsy could present a risk to safety. The profession's governing body usually looks at each case individually to assess the suitability of the person, depending on the nature of the work and their epilepsy. Further details on recruitment policies and guidelines can be obtained from the relevant governing body for the job. I'm an employer. What does the DDA mean for me?The DDA does not stop you from employing the best person for the job. It aims to make sure that a person with a disability is considered fairly along with all other applicants. The DDA covers all areas from recruitment and selection to training and promotion. The DDA also requires you to make 'reasonable adjustments' so that a person with a disability is not put at a disadvantage compared with a person with no disability. Adjustments will vary depending on the nature of a person's disability. Many people with epilepsy do not need any adjustments to be made. However, adjustments could include passing on part of a job to another person, allowing flexible hours, time off for medical appointments, or making the person's workspace safer in case they have a seizure. For more information about the DDA contact the Disability Rights Commission or visit the Disability Rights Commission website (opens new window). How can I make sure we recruit fairly?The following may help make sure that people with epilepsy are treated fairly when recruiting for jobs. Understanding someone's epilepsy When recruiting, instead of asking "is this person with epilepsy employable?" it is more appropriate to ask "is this person right for the job and is their epilepsy relevant?" To be able to determine whether a person's epilepsy may affect their work, it can be helpful to consider the following:
Health questionnaires In good practice, confidential medical or health forms are dealt with by staff who are not on the interview panel, such as human resources or occupational health personnel. This makes sure that the forms are kept separate from the selection process and are considered only after the most suitable person has been found. During interviews During an interview, asking questions about a person's epilepsy should only be done in relation to how the condition might affect their ability to do the job. |
I have epilepsy. What type of work can I do? I'm an employer. What should I consider when employing someone with epilepsy? Epilepsy and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) I have epilepsy. Can I work with computers? Can I do work that involves driving? Could shift work affect my epilepsy? Do I have to tell employers I have epilepsy? If I decide to disclose my epilepsy, when is the best time to do it? How will people react if I have a seizure at work? I'm an employer. Do people with epilepsy need a lot of time off work? Will epilpsy affect the company's insurance or pension scheme? I have epilepsy. What help is available?
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Frequently asked questionsI have epilepsy. Can I work with computers?For most people with epilepsy, working with computers will not be a problem and will not trigger seizures. Some people have seizures that are triggered by flashing or flickering lights or by certain geometric shapes and patterns. This is called photosensitive epilepsy and it affects 3-5% of people with epilepsy. People who have photosensitive
epilepsy are most likely to react to lights which flicker between five
and thirty times per second (5-30 Hertz). Computer screens usually have
a higher flicker frequency than this and so do not tend to trigger seizures.
Computers with flatscreen monitors, including laptops, have a liquid crystal
display that does not flicker. This makes them even less likely to trigger
seizures. Can I do work that involves driving?People with epilepsy can do jobs that involve driving as long as they hold a driving licence in line with the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) regulations. The current DVLA regulations say that to hold a Group 1 driving licence (cars and motorbikes) you need to be seizure-free for one year, either with or without anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). If seizures happen while you are asleep, you may drive as long as your seizures have only happened during sleep for the last three years. In order to hold a Group 2 LGV or PCV licence you need to have been seizure-free without taking AEDs, for the last ten years. Regulations for driving taxis vary and are set by local authorities. The DVLA regulations
are sometimes used by employers to assess whether a person's seizures
could have a safety risk. For example, they could ask "is it reasonable
to say this person can't work with machinery if the DVLA say they are
safe to drive a car?" Could shift work affect my epilepsy?Some people find that there are situations that bring on their seizures (triggers), such as being tired. If this is true for you, shift work could affect your epilepsy as it may increase tiredness. If you have seizures during your sleep (nocturnal seizures) you may also find shift work difficult as this can disturb your normal pattern of sleep. If so it may be helpful to talk to your employer about changing shift or work schedules. Do I have to tell employers I have epilepsy?Under the DDA a person does not have to tell (disclose to) their employers about their disability if they do not want to. If you do decide to tell your employer or future employer, it is your decision when to do this. While you do not have to disclose your epilepsy, there are some reasons why it can be helpful to tell your employer. Employers have to meet requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act. To do this they need to be aware of any medical conditions that you as their employee may have, as they may need to make changes to the way you work or to your environment. Knowing about your epilepsy also helps your employer to make reasonable adjustments you may need. If your employer is not aware of any medical conditions, they cannot be held responsible for failing to make any adjustments that might be needed. Some job application forms include a medical form. Again, whether or not to disclose epilepsy on a medical form is up to you. But it is worth bearing in mind what might happen if you sign the declaration, and your employer later finds it to be untrue. In good practice, the medical form is separated from the rest of the application form. This means that any medical details should not influence who is selected for interviews. If I decide to disclose my epilepsy when is the best time to do it?The point when someone tells their current or future employers that they have epilepsy is a personal choice. Some people prefer not to mention their epilepsy on the application form, or feel happier writing "to be discussed at interview" on the form. During the interview, as well as talking about themselves, their skills and their experience, the person can discuss their epilepsy face-to-face with the potential employer. Some people find it helpful to write a letter explaining their epilepsy, or to have a letter from their neurologist or GP giving further information. This can help a potential employer to understand about their epilepsy. Others feel that the best time to mention epilepsy is after a job is offered or at a final interview. Again, a doctor's letter is sometimes useful. How will people react if I have a seizure at work?Generally, people feel more comfortable with epilepsy when they understand it and know what to do if someone has a seizure. The following might help to reduce anxiety and build confidence in other people:
More information on first aid for seizures NSE can provide epilepsy awareness training and tailored training for employers, first aiders and other staff. Information on training I'm an employer. Do people with epilepsy need a lot of time off work?Most people with epilepsy do not have seizures as their epilepsy is controlled with medication, and so are unlikely to need more time off work than other employees. However, epilepsy is a very individual condition. Any time taken off work will vary from person to person depending on the type and number of seizures the person has and the time they need to recover. Time off work in relation to a disability, for example, to attend a medical appointment, is regarded under the DDA as a 'reasonable adjustment'. For more information about the DDA contact the Disability Rights Commission website (opens new window). Will epilepsy affect the company's insurance or pension scheme?No special insurance is needed for an employee with epilepsy as employers' liability insurance covers everyone in the workplace. This is as long as the employer knows and understands the person's disability. If an employer is not aware of someone's epilepsy they cannot be held responsible if an accident happens because of it. People with epilepsy are able to have company pension schemes along with all other employees. If there are concerns about the company's pension scheme, help may be available from The Pensions Advisory Service (opens new window).
I have epilepsy. What help is available?Can anyone help me find a job?Often the best way to start looking for a job is through a local Jobcentre Plus office, personal contacts, newspaper advertisements or employment agencies. Jobcentre Plus offices usually have advisers who can provide information on jobs, training and self-employment. A disability employment adviser (DEA) can provide extra support to people with disabilities when they are looking for a job or if they are already employed. DEAs can help with assessments; referral to schemes such as work preparation; a job matching and referral service; and information on employers who are positive about employing people with disabilities. Careers advisers at local careers services may also be able to offer information and guidance. See your local phone book for contact details. Access to Work and how it can helpAccess to Work is a scheme that provides support to people with disabilities and their employers. It can help to find solutions to problems in the work place caused by a disability. Depending on the particular needs of the person, this may include help with: the cost of getting to and from work, funding for adaptations or equipment, or providing extra support at work. Access to Work is run by Access to Work business centres. For your nearest business centre contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or visit the Jobcentre Plus website (opens new window). I do not drive, is there any help available getting to and from work?If you do not drive because of your epilepsy you can apply for a disabled person's railcard. This gives a discount on train fares. Further details and application forms by calling 0845 605 0525 or from the disabled persons railcard website. You can also get free off peak bus travel within your local authority or district council. If you live in London you may be able to get a freedom pass that gives you free travel on trains and buses around London. Contact your local council for details of discount travel in your area and how to apply. The Access to Work scheme (see above) may also be able to help with travel to work if you are unable to use public transport.
I'm afraid I will lose my job because of my epilepsyIf you develop epilepsy, or if your epilepsy changes and starts to cause difficulties at work, your employer is expected to make reasonable adjustments so that you can continue to work. This might mean moving you into a different job in the organisation or company while your epilepsy is being reviewed, changing your working hours, or making your workspace safer if necessary. If your seizures are difficult to control, you may need to see an epilepsy specialist or neurologist for an assessment. Medical referrals like this may be needed before any decisions can be made about your job. Treatment for epilepsy usually involves taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) to stop the seizures from happening. Starting or adjusting drug treatment needs to be done gradually and so can take some time. č The NSE helpline on 01494 601 400 offers information and support to anyone affected by epilepsy. It is open 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday. Disability employment advisers at the local Jobcentre Plus can often help people who are concerned about losing their job. Who can help me gain more skills?Skills, qualifications and experience are important for everyone when looking for a job. The following may be useful (links open in a new window):
Who can help if I think I've been discriminated against?The following organisations may be able to provide help and advice (links open in a new window):
UK
Epilepsy Helpline: 01494 601400
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