Approximately 1% of the population in the UK have been diagnosed with some form of epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain, and which can cause frequent seizures, and yet a recent study by the Institute for Employment Studies for the charity Epilepsy Action, many employers are "ignorant about the condition", and are put off employing those with it in case they have seizures at work, and the health and safety implications they think that will bring.
Epilepsy Action state that people with epilepsy are more than twice as likely as those without it to be unemployed. Many who have the condition control it with medication.
The study recommends face-to-face advocacy services to support those with epilepsy when talking to employers. It also recommends online toolkits covering disclosure, health and safety and reasonable adjustments.
If you are an employer, and want to find out more about Epilepsy, why not complete our CPD approved Epilepsy Awareness e-learning course?
The course will give you an overview of epilepsy. It lists the methods of diagnosis, what a seizure is and how the brain can be affected. It will introduce some possible seizure triggers and describe what to do when someone has a seizure.
It will also discuss some of the treatments offered to people with epilepsy and provide practical advice on what you can do if you witness someone having a seizure.
The course will take you approximately half an hour to complete, and costs just £25+VAT per person. To buy, get a free trial, or for more information, visit https://www.kshsafety.com/epilepsy-awareness-e-learning
For more information on employment support for people with epilepsy, visit the Institute for Employment Studies website at https://www.employment-studies.co.uk/resource/employment-support-people-epilepsy