Statistics
Total Participants: 1
N. of issued certificate: 1

Once individuals with epilepsy secure a job opportunity, they may encounter specific challenges related to their condition in the workplace.

Workplace challenges for individuals with epilepsy may include concerns about disclosing the condition to colleagues, managing seizures during working hours, or facing productivity-related biases.

However, effective communication with supervisors and colleagues is crucial in addressing these challenges. Developing a confidential and open dialogue about epilepsy can lead to increased understanding and support within the workplace.

Being Health Literate

It is essential, in terms of self-promotion, to fully understand one’s condition and its impact, or potential impact, on daily life – including in employment.

Individuals with epilepsy must educate themselves about their specific type of epilepsy, triggers, symptoms, and seizure management – and be able to articulate to potential employers how they can manage their epilepsy at work.

People with epilepsy should be able to confidently showcase to their employers, how they are prepared to deal with epilepsy at work. This may include a demonstration of seizure action plans, requesting of – and rationale for – reasonable accommodations, etc.

Knowing your Rights

Individuals with epilepsy should be proactive in advocating for reasonable workplace accommodations that enable them to perform their duties effectively. These accommodations may include flexible scheduling to manage medical appointments or allowing short breaks to manage medication side effects.

Understanding workplace rights under relevant local/national/regional legislation is essential for individuals with epilepsy. These laws protect against discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities, including epilepsy. Knowing these rights can empower individuals to assert themselves if faced with unfair treatment.

Depending on which country you live in, you may have rights under laws covering the areas of Equality, Disability, Employment, Health and Safety, etc.

Contact your local epilepsy support organisation if you need more information on your rights and entitlements in the workplace.

Be prepared to self-promote/self-advocate for what you need, if provided for by law.

Raise Awareness

Individuals with epilepsy should also encourage awareness raising initiatives within the workplace.

Engaging in epilepsy awareness campaigns and educating employers and colleagues about the condition can foster an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Again, many local epilepsy support organisations run workplace programmes and would be open to providing information and training to employers about how to create an epilepsy-friendly environment. Many will also be happy to provide leaflets and resources which can be distributed to both employers and colleagues.

Encouraging interaction between people with epilepsy and their co-workers is covered in a separate module.