‘What jobs can i not do with epilepsy’: This is a very common question. One that has been flowing through social networking and specialist forums alike, every since the digital world became aware of the condition. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this as there are considerable variations in the levels and forms of epilepsy.
There are a number of jobs that people with epilepsy cannot do, but it depends on their specific diagnosis. If they have seizures while they’re driving, then they should not be a bus driver or an airline pilot. However, if they have a mild case of epilepsy and can manage it well enough, then they may be able to continue working as a truck driver or even a police officer.
It also depends on the amount of time they spend working with others. If someone has frequent seizures during work hours, this could cause problems for coworkers and customers. The employee may need to take frequent breaks because of their condition and some companies may not be able to accommodate them in this way.
What jobs can i not do with epilepsy
Introduction
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. The condition affects the brain and can cause wide-ranging symptoms. It is sometimes difficult to live with and can make some everyday tasks challenging. This article describes what epilepsy is, discusses who should know about your condition, explains how it might affect your profession, and gives tips on buying car insurance.
Information on Epilepsy and Employment
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain. It causes seizures, which are episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause a person to have convulsions or lose consciousness for a few seconds. The most common type of seizure is called a tonic-clonic seizure, or “grand mal” seizure; it involves loss of consciousness and sudden jerking movements of arms and legs that last only a few minutes. Tonic-clonic seizures can be brought on by stress, fever or illness as well as certain foods and drugs. Other types include absence seizures that cause staring spells and partial (focal) seizures that affect one part of the body on its own (neck jerks).
Who to tell at work
It’s important to tell the right people in order to get the support you need. When it comes to epilepsy, there are a few groups of individuals who will need this information:
- Boss and HR: Tell your boss and human resources department what is happening with your condition, so they can help guide your treatment plan.
- Co-workers: Come up with a plan with your supervisor on when you’ll disclose this information to co-workers, as well as how much detail you want to provide. You may want them aware of why you miss work from time to time and other circumstances that may cause an interruption in service or production output during work hours.
- Direct Supervisor: If you are unable to perform certain tasks because of epilepsy (like driving), let your direct supervisor know about those limitations so another staff member can take over for any duties that require those skillsets until or unless they become available again (this might mean working from home if possible).
Jobs that are not advised for people with epilepsy
There are several types of jobs that people with epilepsy should avoid. These include:
- Jobs that require driving or piloting aircraft or other vehicles
- Jobs that require working at heights (for example, roofers)
- Jobs that require heavy lifting
- Jobs that require working in extreme temperatures (for example, firefighters) or humidity levels (for example, fish processors)
- Jobs requiring working in confined spaces (such as miners) or other dangerous areas
- Jobs involving dangerous chemicals and/or radioactive materials
Buying car insurance with epilepsy
If you have epilepsy, you can still drive but your car insurance may cost more.
Insurance companies may not cover you if you have certain types of seizures.
They may charge more for the same policy if they think that your risk of having a seizure is higher than non-epilepsy people’s risks.
If you need extra protection from loss or damage, it will cost more money.*
You might not be able to get some types of cover with an insurer because of laws in some states and territories in Australia.
Be informed. Know your rights.
Be informed. Know your rights. Understand the issues that are important to you. Ask questions, and be honest with yourself about what you’re capable of doing. Be prepared by being assertive, proactive, confident and open to any outcome.
Conclusion
If you have epilepsy and are concerned about your employment rights or looking for work, it’s important to understand your rights under the law. There are options for legal recourse if you experience discrimination at work because of your condition. You also have the right to a workplace free from harassment based on disability status.
