Work Restrictions Due to Epilepsy
For people with epilepsy, common work restrictions include jobs that involve:
- Working at heights *
- Exposure to radiant heat sources or high voltage
- Open flames
- Operating open (or unguarded) rotating machinery, drills, or conveyor belts
* Protection against falls from heights or into depths is required in all workplaces and on access routes where the elevation exceeds 1.5 meters or the drop below exceeds 1.5 meters (e.g., excavations, staircases, platforms) – according to Government Decree No. 362/2005 Coll., § 3, Paragraph 1(b).
Because seizures are often triggered by sleep disturbances (e.g., staying up late), night shift work is generally not permitted. The course of the disease is individual, and seizures can vary significantly. Therefore, additional restrictions—such as sensitivity to flickering lights from fluorescent lamps or older computer monitors in photosensitive epilepsy—may apply and should be assessed by your treating neurologist.
Protective factors that may significantly reduce the need for safety precautions include the presence of an aura before a seizure, seizures occurring only during sleep, and predictable triggers that the patient can avoid.
Employement Rights and Obligations
Employers are not entitled to ask about an employee’s medical diagnosis. However, they do need to know about any limitations that may affect the employee’s ability to perform the job. Discrimination in employment is prohibited based on health status, gender, age, etc. (Section 4(2) of Act No. 435/2004 Coll., on Employment). However, differential treatment is not considered discrimination if specific health requirements are essential and justified for the role (Section 4(3) of the same act).
People with limited work capacity can still be employed. For purposes of job placement and partial disability pension applications, a medical examiner from the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ) may issue a work recommendation. This document outlines unsuitable job types or working conditions but does not refer to a specific job. It includes the date the assessment applies to, the date of issuance, and the duration of validity. In cases of full disability, such recommendations are not issued.
If you are registered with the Labour Office or seeking employment while receiving a partial disability pension, you will be required to provide this work recommendation—both to the employment advisor and to occupational health doctors evaluating your job fitness.
The future of work recommendations is uncertain, and changes to or discontinuation of the process are under consideration.
Discussing Your Conditions – When and How?
Many job seekers are rejected as soon as they disclose their epilepsy. Are you required to inform a potential employer about your limitations due to epilepsy? Must you disclose your diagnosis?
There is no legal obligation to inform an employer about your medical condition. Whether to do so is your personal decision. If you choose to disclose it, we recommend doing so after signing the contract—or preferably, at the end of the probationary period. Keep in mind that coworkers might be alarmed or feel misled if a seizure occurs unexpectedly. If you experience seizures during the day, it is not advisable to hide this from your colleagues long-term, as it may cause unnecessary stress. It’s usually enough to inform your closest coworkers or direct supervisor about the frequency and nature of your seizures and how they can assist you during one.
Please consider which of the following categories applies to you:
- Epilepsy has no impact on your work, and you cannot endanger yourself or others during a seizure.
If your condition does not interfere with the job, you are not required to inform your employer. Employers are not entitled to ask about your diagnosis. If asked about your health, you may respond: “I have no health issues that would prevent me from performing this job.”
Example: You have major seizures once every two months and are applying for a telephone operator position. - Epilepsy may affect your work and could endanger yourself or others.
In this case, you should inform the employer. Choose an in-person meeting, preferably during the latter half of the interview, so your qualifications are presented first.
Example: You experience seizures (including absence, psychomotor, or tonic-clonic) and are applying for a pastry chef position that involves working with machinery. - You are officially recognized as a person with a disability.
If you receive a partial or full disability pension, you should not hide this during the interview or while completing forms (though it is not included in your CV). The employer may benefit from subsidies if they hire you. Unless applying specifically for a disability-friendly position, it’s best to disclose this during an in-person interview.
How to Talk About Epilepsy
Focus on the effects of the condition, not the diagnosis itself. Many people assume all seizures are convulsive. Explain how your seizures manifest, how frequent they are, and their actual impact on job performance. If discussing your condition causes stress, consider rehearsing your explanation. Demonstrating confidence in managing your condition can reassure potential employers.
If an employer attempts to dismiss you due to epilepsy, they cannot do so without medical documentation proving you are unfit for the job. Do not sign a resignation agreement under pressure—require that the employer issue an official dismissal. Unless you are found medically unfit for your job or fail to meet work requirements, you are entitled to severance pay.
Supported Employment Agencies (APZ) or Employment Support Centers can help individuals with limited access to the open job market. These agencies assist in job search efforts and help people with disabilities secure and retain employment. In some cases, support extends into the workplace itself (known as job coaching or work assistance).
