About Us...
Having epilepsy
does not mean that you can’t get a
job, continue in a job, or be
excellent at what you choose to do.
Making
choices
Having epilepsy may have
little or no effect on pursuing a
rewarding career. Although there may
be some restrictions in certain
careers (e.g. bus drivers, pilots)
for safety reasons, there are many
options in employment choices.
In some cases, uncontrolled seizures, the side effects of medication, or the inability to drive, may alter employment decisions. Some people with epilepsy have found that starting a business, job sharing, or working as part of a co-op offers alternatives.
If your seizures do prevent you from working, there are many ways to use your skills including volunteering, developing a hobby, or pursuing an artistic talent.
Discrimination
Although the public is
becoming more knowledgeable about
epilepsy, people with epilepsy
sometimes face discrimination and/or
an under-utilization of skills in
the workplace.
Although physical
disabilities are protected grounds
under human rights legislation and
the Canadian Human Rights Act does
not allow discrimination by an
employer due to a disability such as
epilepsy, a lack of knowledge about
the condition may result in a bias
on the part of an employer. An
employer may have concerns over
safety, reliability, or liability
yet studies on individuals with
epilepsy in the workplace do not
support those concerns.
Each province and territory has legislation intended to protect the rights outlined in the Canadian human rights laws. Anyone who has experienced discrimination in the workplace because of a disability may file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in the appropriate province or territory.
Under Canadian
human rights law, however, it is not
considered discriminatory on the
part of an employer if an act taken
by an employer is considered to be
reasonable and justifiable under the
circumstances. Employers are not
expected to hire or continue to
employ a person whose disability
notably increases the probability of
health or safety hazards to himself
or herself, other employees, and/or
the public. For instance, an
individual subject to
epilepsy-related seizures may not be
suited to safely working on heights
or driving a truck. It is the
responsibility of the employer to
demonstrate that the individual’s
disability would threaten his or her
safety or the safety of others.
Duty to
Accommodate
Accommodation is the process through which a worksite is modified to remove barriers for a person with a disability. Under the Canadian Human Rights Act and under some provincial codes, it is the duty of employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate individuals with epilepsy in the workplace unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship. Accommodation can be as simple as moving furniture in an office or allowing you to trade work with another employee. Details on how safety can be improved in a job through reasonable accommodation are available through local organizations offering employment assistance for persons with disabilities and through The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW).
Applying for a job
In some provinces, legislation restricts pre-employment inquiries. For example, in Alberta, it is your decision how or when or whether you disclose your epilepsy to an employer. Employers are not allowed in job applications or in interviews to ask about an applicant’s physical condition. Contact the Human Rights Commission in your province or territory for information regarding disclosure.
When applying for a job, find out about the legislation in your area. Then consider the advantages and disadvantages of disclosing your condition and make your decision.
For example, being open about your epilepsy in a job interview may focus too much emphasis on your condition but it will have the advantage of giving you peace of mind.
Telling an employer that you have epilepsy after you have started working provides you with the opportunity to prove yourself first but the employer may feel that you have not been honest.
If you would like to find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of disclosure regarding employment, contact your local epilepsy association.
Back to Top