What people say about epilepsy and work
- “I don't feel that having epilepsy has affected my ability to find employment, although I am aware of the impact that it could have upon my ability to work should I have seizures again… I am hesitant about discussing my epilepsy openly as much as I would like, as I do worry about the way people may react.”
- “When I recently underwent a major review of medication, my employer was fantastic, giving me time off to attend for EEGs and appointments at the hospital.”
- “Because I can't drive it limits what I can do. I am a newspaper reporter. Buses aren't a problem, but in my job you need transport quickly and conveniently. I am applying for Access to Work to help. My employer is really being helpful and not making it a big issue. I have had seizures at work and it is not a problem.”
- “I worked hard to ensure I was seen as a good, efficient and effective 'team player’ first, before people were told I have epilepsy. This helped prevent formation of 'disabled stereotype'. Constant pressure of having to prove worth, leads to working harder than colleagues at times.”
- “Having a disability employment advisor at the JobCentre has helped greatly. He has directed me to a work preparation programme which is allowing me to test out a work environment without losing my benefits.”
- “I am very lucky because I work for the NHS so they are very understanding.“
- "My epilepsy, I believe and know from experience, has had an awful effect on my confidence in applying for jobs. I never hide it and am more than happy to explain what I can to people, it’s the ones who are ignorant towards it and don't want to know that angers me – they could have it tomorrow!”
- These are statements from people with epilepsy in the UK who shared their employment experiences with us . We know that some employers are very knowledgeable about employing people with long term conditions, such as epilepsy, but many aren’t. How can you be an informed employer? Read this section of our website and see.
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Epilepsy Helpline
- UK freephone 0808 800 5050
- International +44 113 210 8850
- Email: helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
- Txt msg: 07797 805 390 info
- Live online: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1230-1330 UK time
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Comments
I've been applying for jobs for the last few weeks, and I go to the interviews but as soon as I talk about my epilepsy, they seem to count that as a disability and not fit to beable to do that job. I was just wondering if you have to mention that you have epilepsy at your interview or can you tell them if they offer you the job? It just that it angers me when I get turned down for jobs because of a disabilty I can't control!
I also have epilepsy, no longer take any medication for it, as now I only suffer from petite mal (lapses) epilepsy. However, about once or twice a month I have a day when I am just not lucid and feel like I'm running up a down escalator and standing still, even though I am running as fast as I can. I only have isolated fits about every six months.
I stated having attacks and blackouts when I was 101/2 in December 1964. In those days not much was known about epilepsy and my view is that they drugged me to keep me quiet for the sake of other people and not to help me as, before I was put on medication, I was only having the occasional convulsion at night but, after I was put on medication, I was having fits and convulsions at any time during the day or night. I was on heavy tranquilizers, which have now left me very slow in speed, although not in intelligence, and I cannot cope with the speed that is expected of me in any job, yet cannot get help any other way because there's nothing wrong with my intelligence.
In my last job, I didn't tell them about having epilepsy, the boss didn't like me, so got the PA working in the same office as I, to report back to him on every thing I did. I was reported as staring at files without doing anything (petite mal lapse), so I had to come clean about having epilepsy. They didn't sack me because it would be blatantly obvious that they had sacked me because of having epilepsy, but instead set out to make it impossible for me to work there until I resigned.
In the two other countries, where I have worked, I was not discriminated against for having epilepsy. I was much worse then and used to go into my boss's office to take down shorthand. I'd have a fit and tell him to hold on for a minute, have the fit and then say "Now where were we?" and continue with the dictation. I was with that Company for almost 12 years!
Back in september (2009) i suffered from an epilepsy seizure whilst i was driving , as a result i crashed the vehicle i was driving & was taken to hospital. As a result i had to surrender my licence & ive had to cut back on the hours i do at work as its not easy for me to get about .
I was diagnosed with having mild epilepsy in 1990 when i was 10 yrs old , as i got older the attacks stopped & it didn`t stop me having a normal life with work or driving .
Im 29 now and finding life extremely difficult working & generally getting about without driving. Luckily ive had no seizures since but i feel like im being treated as if id been punished , no-one helps with my transport issues or the work issues. I work as an electrician & have been told i should find a different kind of job but that isnt easy when you have had 13 years experience & am full qualified!