Ciara Smyth, a 29-year-old woman from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was compelled to work from home because her health condition made colleagues “uncomfortable.” Living with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures and affects around one in 100 people in the UK, Ciara has repeatedly faced workplace discrimination and isolation.
Epilepsy can manifest in different ways, from unusual sensations or uncontrollable movements to stiffening, falling, and shaking during seizures. Despite being open about her condition, Ciara often found that initial support from employers diminished once the realities of managing epilepsy at work became apparent.
“An employer made me work from home because people were scared about the possibility of a seizure in the office,” Ciara recalls. “Despite occupational health assessments confirming my safety at work, I was excluded from key parts of my role. Management also made targeted remarks about my condition, which damaged my confidence and affected my mental health.”
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Her experience reflects a wider issue highlighted by the charity Epilepsy Action, which reports widespread discrimination against people with epilepsy in hiring and workplace environments. Many individuals feel pressured to hide their diagnosis from prospective employers and colleagues due to stigma.
In a survey of 2,000 people across Britain, Epilepsy Action found that nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents worry about health and safety risks when employing someone with epilepsy. Additionally, 27% believe epilepsy could impact a person’s ability to perform certain tasks, while 39% assume those with epilepsy cannot handle work responsibilities.
Ciara now works in a supportive environment where managers understand her condition, and colleagues have received seizure first aid training. “I don’t want special treatment; I just want people to realize epilepsy doesn’t stop you from being competent at your job,” she explains. “The real issue is the assumptions people make.”
Rebekah Smith, chief executive of Epilepsy Action, emphasizes the need to change attitudes: “We want to shift from fear to understanding and from avoidance to action. There’s still a lot of work to do to make workplaces welcoming and safe for people with epilepsy.”
The charity urges the public to educate themselves about epilepsy and how to respond if someone has a seizure, aiming to foster empathy and reduce stigma surrounding the condition.