Epilepsy and employment

A medical specialist usually diagnoses epilepsy after a person has had at least two seizures. Epilepsy and seizures vary significantly from one person to another, and so does the way they affect work.

Many people living with epilepsy are successfully employed across a wide range of fields.

Types of employment#

People with epilepsy work in many different employment arrangements, including apprenticeships and traineeships, open employment and supported employment.

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training with paid work and can lead to a recognized qualification. They are open to people of working age, including school-leavers, people re-entering the workforce and those wanting a career change.

Open employment refers to working in the general labor market. Depending on the role, you may need a particular qualification (such as completion of secondary school) to be eligible.

Roles that may not be suitable#

In some cases, a diagnosis of epilepsy may mean you are not eligible for certain jobs, particularly if your seizures are not well controlled. For some roles, the risks to you, your colleagues or the public if a seizure occurred could be too great.

A few occupations are generally not open to anyone with epilepsy, even with good seizure control. For example, people with epilepsy are usually unable to work as a pilot or as a commercial driver, such as a train driver. Specific rules vary by region, so check the requirements that apply where you live.

Epilepsy management plans#

If you are employed or volunteering, you may choose to use an epilepsy management plan. This is an individual document that you develop with your healthcare professional or epilepsy support worker. It typically describes:

• your seizure types
• how you would like to be supported during a seizure
• emergency procedures

Sharing a management plan at work can help others know what to do if you have a seizure or in an emergency.

Employment support#

Support is available if you need help finding work and staying employed. Specialist services can provide training and experience to help you move into open employment, or to continue in supported employment if you choose to.

Supported employment can involve a wide variety of tasks, which may include packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen printing, horticulture, hospitality, and cleaning and laundry services. Some services focus specifically on helping school-leavers move from school into work.

Employment services can also provide information about financial assistance, workplace solutions, reasonable adjustments, disclosing a disability, tools and checklists. If you are not sure what is available, ask your doctor or epilepsy support worker about local disability employment services.

Telling your employer you have epilepsy#

You have to tell your employer about your epilepsy if it affects your ability to meet the requirements of your job. Otherwise, whether you tell a current or potential employer is your choice.

You may decide to tell people at work about your epilepsy if:

• there is a risk of injury to you or your co-workers if you have a seizure while doing your job
• your epilepsy could affect the health and safety of your colleagues or the public
• you need some workplace adjustments to help you do your job
• your co-workers would need to support you if you had a seizure at work

Sometimes, having a seizure at work, or even during a job interview, can lead to positive conversations about your diagnosis and what you need. Letting colleagues know about your seizure types, and what to do if a seizure occurs, can help them respond with confidence.

Key points#

• Many people with epilepsy work successfully across many fields and employment arrangements.
• Uncontrolled seizures, or particular safety-critical roles, may limit which jobs are suitable.
• An epilepsy management plan helps colleagues know how to support you during a seizure.
• You must tell your employer if your epilepsy affects your ability to do your job; otherwise disclosure is your choice.
• Specialist employment support services can help you find and keep work.

Where to get help#