Tim Nourse recounts the story of an acquaintance living with a seizure disorder who is a highly-valued employee of a nationwide corporation. Despite the fact this individual’s seizures are fully under control and her employer has an excellent track record of accommodating people with all disabilities, she has never disclosed her condition.
Nourse, an employment consultant, says this story is typical of many people living with a seizure disorder. People with epilepsy face employment barriers, however, the challenge is typically not finding work, it’s maintaining a job.
“A lot of people, because they have had bad experiences in the past with epilepsy in the workplace or with disclosure, choose not to disclose,” Nourse tells Voices of Epilepsy. “Usually they’re OK, but when they have that first seizure, often employers find ways to let them go.”
Like any disability, epilepsy is covered by provincial and federal rights legislation. It’s illegal to discriminate against people with a seizure disorder on the basis of their disability. But it happens anyway, says Nourse.
This, he says, is largely because epilepsy is an “invisible disability.”
“For somebody who has, let’s say, a spinal-cord injury, the employer knows what to expect; here’s somebody that needs a modified desk or a power-door opener,” Nourse says. “With epilepsy, it’s so unpredictable and there is so much myth and stigma associated with it that, with legislation or not, (discrimination happens).”
People with epilepsy who have been discriminated against because of their disability sometimes do stand up for their rights but often they don’t. And there’s a reason for this. Stress is a major trigger for epilepsy, and contesting a wrongful dismissal claim can be an extremely stressful process, hence, many people prefer to simply move on and find a new job.
Fortunately, help is available for people through their local epilepsy resource centre, Nourse says.
Epilepsy Toronto, for instance has employment specialists. All epilepsy agencies can redirect people looking for help with employment issues.
Having someone on their side to help file a claim can alleviate a lot of the stress for people with a seizure disorder that comes with the process, he adds.
For more information about what resources are available for people with seizure disorders, contact Epilepsy Ontario at 905-474-9696, or toll-free at 1-800-463-1119.
— More to come
Writer: Deron Hamel
If you have feedback on this story, or have a story of your own that you would like to share, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca. You can also leave a comment below.
Fear not Jennifer! Tim Nourse is an excellent and experienced Employment Consultant with Epilepsy Toronto and knows what he is talking about. Read my story at the web site to learn my full story. The BIG companies like to boast about their accommodation of persons with disabilities, but they don’t WALK THE TALK! I experienced over a dozen years of employment discrimination, and when I finally landed a great job with a major financial institution I chose not to disclose my disability on the first day of the job, for fear of not surviving my 6 months probation and online at the end of year questionnaire for “Diversity”, asking whether I was a person of visible minority, with disability, or aboriginal status etc. Blah…Blah…Blah!. I checked the final box “I choose not to answer the above questions” so that I would not be lying. When it finally came time to disclose my disability, even though I was not having seizures while awake for about 2 years, Tim was well connected and knew exactly who to call at my employer, at the top level, to initiate the disclosure. They made some minor “accommodations” but it was to no avail. The only accommodations the BIG companies have made under the several year old accommodation legislation in Ontario is to serve customers, with low level desk height tellers desks at banks with chairs beside the long line of regular teller kiosks to allow a customer with a wheelchair to do his/her banking. As for employees there is still rampant unspoken and unwritten DISCRIMINATION against employees with epilepsy, and we must fight the negative stigma against normal persons, 99% of whom can function in their jobs despite the occasional Tonic Clonic or Complex-Partial seizure while working. Epilepsy will never be cured, but keep up your spirits and one day, with good medical management, possibly successful surgery and prayer, your epilepsy will one day become fully managed. Best wishes for eventual full management!
Fear not Jennifer! Tim Nourse is an excellent and experienced Employment Consultant with Epilepsy Toronto and knows what he is talking about. Read my story at the web site to learn my full story. The BIG companies like to boast about their accommodation of persons with disabilities, but they don’t WALK THE TALK! I experienced over a dozen years of employment discrimination, and when I finally landed a great job with a major financial institution I chose not to disclose my disability on the first day of the job, for fear of not surviving my 6 months probation and online at the end of year questionnaire for “Diversity”, asking whether I was a person of visible minority, with disability, or aboriginal status etc. Blah…Blah…Blah!. I checked the final box “I choose not to answer the above questions” so that I would not be lying. When it finally came time to disclose my disability, even though I was not having seizures while awake for about 2 years, Tim was well connected and knew exactly who to call at my employer, at the top level, to initiate the disclosure. They made some minor “accommodations” but it was to no avail. The only accommodations the BIG companies have made under the several year old accommodation legislation in Ontario is to serve customers, with low level desk height tellers desks at banks with chairs beside the long line of regular teller kiosks to allow a customer with a wheelchair to do his/her banking. As for employees there is still rampant unspoken and unwritten DISCRIMINATION against employees with epilepsy, and we must fight the negative stigma against normal persons, 99% of whom can function in their jobs despite the occasional Tonic Clonic or Complex-Partial seizure while working. Epilepsy will never be cured, but keep up your spirits and one day, with good medical management, possibly successful surgery and prayer, your epilepsy will one day become fully managed. Best wishes for eventual full management!
Fear not Jennifer! Tim Nourse is an excellent and experienced Employment Consultant with Epilepsy Toronto and knows what he is talking about. Read my story at the web site to learn my full story. The BIG companies like to boast about their accommodation of persons with disabilities, but they don’t WALK THE TALK! I experienced over a dozen years of employment discrimination, and when I finally landed a great job with a major financial institution I chose not to disclose my disability on the first day of the job, for fear of not surviving my 6 months probation and online at the end of year questionnaire for “Diversity”, asking whether I was a person of visible minority, with disability, or aboriginal status etc. Blah…Blah…Blah!. I checked the final box “I choose not to answer the above questions” so that I would not be lying. When it finally came time to disclose my disability, even though I was not having seizures while awake for about 2 years, Tim was well connected and knew exactly who to call at my employer, at the top level, to initiate the disclosure. They made some minor “accommodations” but it was to no avail. The only accommodations the BIG companies have made under the several year old accommodation legislation in Ontario is to serve customers, with low level desk height tellers desks at banks with chairs beside the long line of regular teller kiosks to allow a customer with a wheelchair to do his/her banking. As for employees there is still rampant unspoken and unwritten DISCRIMINATION against employees with epilepsy, and we must fight the negative stigma against normal persons, 99% of whom can function in their jobs despite the occasional Tonic Clonic or Complex-Partial seizure while working. Epilepsy will never be cured, but keep up your spirits and one day, with good medical management, possibly successful surgery and prayer, your epilepsy will one day become fully managed. Best wishes for eventual full management!
What a great time for me to be reading this article!!!
I am currently going through HR issues at work regarding the fact that I have many absences due to my uncontrolled Epilepsy.
My Neurologists are looking for ways to stop my seizures – but until then –
I continue to have Simple Partials and Complex Partials daily – and Grand Mals about once per week.
HR is requesting that my Doctor fill out a Functional Abilities Form to see if my Epilepsy will interfere with my ability to perform my job.
I am a CSR – my Epilepsy will not affect my work performance – just my attendance.
I do realize attendance is important – however – I have been at this job for 1 1/2 years.
I provided my Employer with full disclosure of my Epileptic Disability when I was hired.
My Employer did not request any further information regarding my Epileptic Disability at that time – however – they have been asking for more information over the past couple of months.
They have already asked for – and received – a letter from my Doctor stating I am Epileptic – with uncontrolled seizures.
Even once the Functional Abilities Form is filled out – and l will have proof that I am able to perform my job without any problems – I am certain they will find a way to terminate my employment – while never disclosing the real reason…
Very frustrating!!!
What a great time for me to be reading this article!!!
I am currently going through HR issues at work regarding the fact that I have many absences due to my uncontrolled Epilepsy.
My Neurologists are looking for ways to stop my seizures – but until then –
I continue to have Simple Partials and Complex Partials daily – and Grand Mals about once per week.
HR is requesting that my Doctor fill out a Functional Abilities Form to see if my Epilepsy will interfere with my ability to perform my job.
I am a CSR – my Epilepsy will not affect my work performance – just my attendance.
I do realize attendance is important – however – I have been at this job for 1 1/2 years.
I provided my Employer with full disclosure of my Epileptic Disability when I was hired.
My Employer did not request any further information regarding my Epileptic Disability at that time – however – they have been asking for more information over the past couple of months.
They have already asked for – and received – a letter from my Doctor stating I am Epileptic – with uncontrolled seizures.
Even once the Functional Abilities Form is filled out – and l will have proof that I am able to perform my job without any problems – I am certain they will find a way to terminate my employment – while never disclosing the real reason…
Very frustrating!!!
What a great time for me to be reading this article!!!
I am currently going through HR issues at work regarding the fact that I have many absences due to my uncontrolled Epilepsy.
My Neurologists are looking for ways to stop my seizures – but until then –
I continue to have Simple Partials and Complex Partials daily – and Grand Mals about once per week.
HR is requesting that my Doctor fill out a Functional Abilities Form to see if my Epilepsy will interfere with my ability to perform my job.
I am a CSR – my Epilepsy will not affect my work performance – just my attendance.
I do realize attendance is important – however – I have been at this job for 1 1/2 years.
I provided my Employer with full disclosure of my Epileptic Disability when I was hired.
My Employer did not request any further information regarding my Epileptic Disability at that time – however – they have been asking for more information over the past couple of months.
They have already asked for – and received – a letter from my Doctor stating I am Epileptic – with uncontrolled seizures.
Even once the Functional Abilities Form is filled out – and l will have proof that I am able to perform my job without any problems – I am certain they will find a way to terminate my employment – while never disclosing the real reason…
Very frustrating!!!