Epilepsy and Employment

Preparing for employment: Advice for parents

Many people with epilepsy achieve normal educational levels and go on to have productive careers in a variety of areas. It depends on the individual, his particular condition, and the circumstances. The IQ of people with epilepsy is generally no different from that of people without epilepsy, but sometimes associated difficulties with learning, psychological well-being, and socialization can hamper their progress in education and employment. Studies indicate that the general rate of employment for people with epilepsy is slightly lower than for the general population, and they earn slightly less money.

This difference between IQ and achievement highlights the importance of focusing early on these challenges and meeting the social, educational, and employment needs of children with epilepsy. To help prepare your child well for his future, these issues need to be evaluated and addressed while he is still in school, with specific educational support, therapy, counselling, and training given as needed.

People with epilepsy can work successfully in many different occupations. Because of safety reasons, though, people with epilepsy may not be suitable for some types of jobs, such as those that involve a lot of driving, flying, or exposure to possible seizure triggers. However, it depends on your child’s condition, his skills, his interests, and his limitations. If one job is not suitable, there are always others to try. Talk to your child’s epilepsy care team and local epilepsy association while your child is in his early teenage years for advice, career counselling, and information on how to prepare for the years ahead. Some local epilepsy associations have employment counsellors who can help you and your child with these issues.

For adults with particular challenges associated with poorly controlled seizures, it is important to seek out organizations that provide employment support and are committed to hiring people with such challenges. Discuss these issues with your child’s epilepsy care team and your local epilepsy association before he transitions to adult care.

Disclosure to the employer: Advice for people with epilepsy

Should a person with epilepsy disclose this fact to his employer? This is a delicate matter and a personal decision. It depends on your condition and the type of job you will be doing.

Disclosure during the job interview

Employers sometimes ask questions in job interviews that do not relate to the job. This includes questions about the potential employee's age, ethnic or national origin, family, and health. Such questions are inappropriate; in many countries, including Canada and the U.S.A., they are also illegal. For example, an employer is not allowed to ask "Do you have any handicaps?" or "How is your health?" However, the employer is permitted to ask questions such as "Can you lift 20 kg?" or "Will you be able to be at work at 7:30 a.m.?" if they are relevant to the job.

You do not have to answer questions about your health, although you are free to volunteer the information if you want to. In many cases, though, employers may not be aware that a question is illegal. It is important to learn how to handle inappropriate questions gracefully and well. Many books and web sites about interview skills will have useful advice on this topic. Your local epilepsy association can give you more information about your rights in this area.

Disclosure on the job

Some people tell their employer that they have epilepsy after they have been hired or after they have proven themselves on the job. Some never reveal their condition to their employer, especially if their seizures are well controlled or never occur at work. One guideline is to consider whether seizures are likely to occur on the job and, if so, whether they could be harmful to you or to your fellow workers.

The advantages of disclosure include:

• giving the employer the opportunity to make accommodations to the workplace to make it safer
• honesty and peace of mind
• safety

Possible disadvantages of disclosure include:

• not getting hired or losing the job
• discrimination on the job and for future promotions
• emphasis on the epilepsy, not on your work

If you do decide to disclose your condition, ask your epilepsy care team and local epilepsy association for advice. Prepare ahead of time with general information about epilepsy, statistics, and information about your own condition. You may also want to have on hand a letter from your neurologist or another epilepsy care team member that describes your condition and your ability to do the job. When you talk to your employer, present the facts in a positive and factual way. If necessary, you can also refer your employer to further information on an epilepsy web site.

You may also wish to tell one or two of your closest colleagues, especially if there is a potential safety issue, and educate them on what to do in case of a seizure.

Discrimination

Although laws have been enacted to reduce discrimination in the workplace, people with epilepsy still face challenges when applying for a job. Misconceptions about epilepsy, and the entrenched social stigma associated with epilepsy, make many employers reluctant to hire individuals with epilepsy.

Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, it is illegal for employers under federal jurisdiction to discriminate on prohibited grounds, including physical and mental disability. This means that an employer cannot refuse to hire a qualified person just because they have epilepsy. Someone who believes they have been discriminated against because they have epilepsy can make a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Similarly, provincial bodies such as the Ontario Human Rights Commission protect workers against discrimination on the basis of disability. Such rights exist in many countries around the world.