Can my employer fire me for having epilepsy?
You cannot be fired for having epilepsy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
What are some environmental safety considerations for a person with epilepsy?
Safety Proof Your Environment Arrange your home, and if possible, work or study space, to be safe should you have a seizure. For example, pad sharp corners, use non-slip carpet, avoid scatter rugs, and put barriers in front of fireplaces or hot stoves.
Are epileptics allowed to work?
If your epilepsy is controlled, it will not significantly affect your ability to perform physical work. However, it’s obvious that you cannot perform any kind of physical work while having an epileptic seizure.
What are seizure safety precautions?
Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Wear protective clothing (elbow or knee pads, helmet, protective eyeglasses or goggles) whenever possible. Avoid busy streets when bike riding; ride on bike paths or side streets. Always wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace, or carry a medical ID card.
Is epilepsy a protected disability?
Individuals with epilepsy are covered under the ADA, since epilepsy is a physiological disorder affecting the neurological system. Persons with seizure disorders therefore have an impairment that substantially limits participation in a major life activity (i.e., working).
Should I tell my boss I have epilepsy?
It is not always necessary to discuss epilepsy with a potential employer. Whether you do or not is up to you. If you have excellent seizure control and the employer does not ask any health-related questions, there’s no reason to start talking about epilepsy unless you want to.
Should people who have seizures be left alone?
Living independently with epilepsy is not without risk. These risks include a higher risk of accidents and premature death. Epilepsy has a considerable impact and significant social consequences. It can sometimes prevent someone from living alone or continuing to live independently.
What are the risks of epilepsy?
Risk factors
- Age. The onset of epilepsy is most common in children and older adults, but the condition can occur at any age.
- Family history.
- Head injuries.
- Stroke and other vascular diseases.
- Dementia.
- Brain infections.
- Seizures in childhood.
How do you manage epilepsy at work?
Reasonable adjustments
- making their workspace safer in case they have a seizure.
- avoiding lone working, so that someone else can help if they have a seizure.
- exchanging some tasks of the job with another employee’s tasks.
- adapting or providing equipment or support to help them do their job.
Can you work in a kitchen with epilepsy?
Jobs, epilepsy and the law The Equality Act means that most employers can’t refuse you a job just because you have epilepsy.
Do you have to declare epilepsy to employer?
If your epilepsy could cause a health or safety risk to you or anybody else, you must tell your employer about it. This is the law.
Is epilepsy regarded as a disability?
Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.
What is the life expectancy of someone with epilepsy?
Reduction in life expectancy can be up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.
How does epilepsy affect daily life?
People with epilepsy often experience changes in their quality of life such as less mobility, as well as the impact on learning, school attendance, employment, relationships, and social interactions.
Is epilepsy a disability in the workplace?
Additionally, because the determination of whether an impairment is a disability is made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures, epilepsy is a disability even if medication or surgery limits the frequency or severity of seizures or eliminates them altogether.
How do you manage a patient with epilepsy?
Usually medication is needed to control seizures and treat epilepsy; these commonly prescribed drugs are called anticonvulsants. Medication alone can’t always stop or reduce seizures. A device called a vagus nerve stimulator may help treat epilepsy if you don’t get relief from medication.
What are the risks of epilepsy in the workplace?
The risks that epilepsy poses in the workplace will vary greatly depending on the person and situation. Risk can depend on a number of factors including: The nature of the work or role. For example, there may be additional risks associated with seizures when work is conducted at a height, under extreme temperatures, or using dangerous machinery
What are the Occupational Health and safety obligations for people with epilepsy?
Good occupational (or workplace) health and safety practices (WHS) help ensure wellbeing in the workplace. People living with epilepsy make excellent workers, and properly considering and meeting WHS obligations for employees with epilepsy will result in a safer, inclusive and more productive work environment.
Can I work with epilepsy?
Much like anyone else, people living with epilepsy are highly productive workers in a healthy and safe workplace Ensuring you meet your legal obligations and employee responsibilities.
When can an employer ask an employee about epilepsy?
An employer also may ask an employee about epilepsy when it has a reasonable belief that the employee will be unable to safely perform the essential functions of her job because of epilepsy. In addition, an employer may ask an employee about her epilepsy to the extent the information is necessary: