Law firm Slater and Gordon has linked up with the charity Epilepsy Action to launch a service to support the legal rights of people with epilepsy in the workplace.

People who are sacked after having a seizure are among those set to be helped by the service. The charity and law firm give the example of a teacher who was sacked for this reason by employers who said she should have declared the condition on her job application.

This teacher said the experience was “devastating” and welcomed the partnership between the charity and law firm as “a brilliant idea”, adding that “it's reassuring to know that now, people will have somewhere to turn for help and hope.”

Latest government figures show that only one in three people with epilepsy are in work, which is the second lowest employment rate of any disabled group in the UK.

According to Epilepsy Action the same proportion of people with epilepsy have been bullied at work and face discrimination because of their condition.

The charity also found that almost half of employers admit they would be reluctant to recruit someone with epilepsy.

“Too many people with epilepsy are still being overlooked or pushed out of work through no fault of their own,” said the charity’s helpline and support services manager Kathryn Hughes.

“Everyone deserves the chance to thrive – not just survive – in their job. This partnership with Slater and Gordon will give people the confidence to stand up for their rights and support employers to build fairer more inclusive workplaces.”

Peter Byrne, head of employment at Slater and Gordon, added: "People with epilepsy should be supported in every way possible in the workplace, and employment law exists to give them the protections they need and deserve.

"We are very pleased to partner with Epilepsy Action to ensure our specialist advice can reach as many people as possible and enable them to be confident and thrive in their careers."

---