Dear Sir/Madam
Many people with epilepsy face daily discrimination in the workplace at the hands of employers and colleagues.
Epilepsy is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. However a lot of employers and employees know very little about the condition and statistics show that only 50 per cent of disabled people are in work.
I have faced prejudice in the past, but I am now one of the lucky ones. For the last three years I have had tremendous support and encouragement from my employers. I have never been made to feel like I have ‘let the team down’ if I have needed time off after having seizures, even at busy times when they are struggling or short of staff!
Now, to mark this year’s National Epilepsy Week (May 20-26) the charity Epilepsy Action wants to honour employers who show understanding and help people with epilepsy to overcome difficulties in the workplace.
An employer may have made adjustments to help you by changing your shift pattern, allowing you time to recover after seizures, changing your job so that you are under less pressure and have fewer seizures, giving you equal job opportunities, and making sure that staff are educated about epilepsy.
Winning companies will be presented with Epilepsy Action’s prestigious Gold Award for Employment, and all nominees will receive best practice certificates. If you have epilepsy and want to nominate a positive, non-discriminatory employer, contact Epilepsy Action on 0113 210 8870, or email press@epilepsy.org.uk.
Yours faithfully
Nick Starr
Epilepsy Action supporter