Seizures in the workplace – advice for employers

• First aid for seizures
• Recovery after a seizure

First aid for seizures

If you have an employee with epilepsy, you can ask them for specific advice about their seizures and how they feel you could help them during a seizure.

You can find general first aid advice for epilepsy on our website.

Recovery after a seizure

Epilepsy is a very individual condition, so it can be very helpful for you to create a care plan with each employee with epilepsy. There are many different types of seizure. Many people don’t need any first aid or recovery time after they have had a seizure.

Some people will sleep for a few minutes, others for several hours. Some people will be able to return to work within a short time, other people may be unable to work for the rest of the day. Following certain types of seizure, it is usual for the person to be very tired and to need time to sleep.

Seizures are usually the same for a person each time they happen, so ask the person about their recovery time.

If recovery time is brief, the person may just need a quiet place to rest and then be able to return to their work. Decide in advance where this rest should take place. It is in the company’s interest as well as the employee’s for them to be allowed back to work as soon as they feel able.

If recovery time is going to be lengthy and the person needs to go home, decide how they will get there. This should be in line with your company policies and procedures for anyone becoming unwell at work. Bear in mind that some people are very confused immediately after a seizure and may not be safe to travel alone.