Reasonable adjustments

This information in this section is of general use in epilepsy and employment. However, references to regulations apply to people in the UK only. If you live outside the UK, then more information about epilepsy and employment where you are will be available from your local epilepsy organisation.

If, following a risk assessment, your employee needs reasonable adjustment to be made; this will be individual to them. Depending on the circumstances, the following are some examples of reasonable adjustments that may be considered for a person with epilepsy.

• If the person usually has seizures within a short time of waking up, a reasonable adjustment may be to allow them to start and finish work later than other employees. This would only apply if the workplace is open during those hours.
  
• If the person’s seizures are always in an afternoon, you could make sure they do not work alone at that time. This would allow a colleague to offer help, if that was needed.
  
• If the person is more likely to have seizures if their sleep pattern is disrupted, allowing them to work regular hours, rather than rotating shifts, could be helpful.

Although people with epilepsy can be found in most occupations, with or without reasonable adjustment, there are some jobs which, for health and safety reasons, would not be suitable for a person who is still having seizures. These include working

• at unprotected heights
• near open water
• with high voltage or open circuit electricity
• with unguarded apparatus or machines
• on or near moving vehicles
• with chemicals, unguarded fires, ovens and hot plates
• on isolated sites.

If a person’s seizures stop these restrictions may no longer apply.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provides advice and information about the DDA to individuals and organisations.

In Northern Ireland the Equality Commission provides advice and information about the DDA to individuals and organisations.

Last updated 2 May 2007