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Employment issue

Fri, 02/16/2007 - 12:37
Good Morning, I have been fairly new to this disorder. My employment is what is concerning me. I don't like anyone knowing about this problem, I feel it is personal. Unfortunately, I had a massive seizure at work this past summer. Lost consciousness, don't remember the whole day, co-workers called ambulance, went to ER. This was horrible. So everyone at work now knows. My issue is that as with most employment, we have a policy in place that if you must take off work due to illness, a call must be placed 30 minutes prior to shift start time. Yesturday morning, I don't know exactly when I had another seizure. Again the whole day is a blank. Now of course I am in trouble for not calling in. Any suggestions on how I should be handling this? I don't want to lose my job, and now I am really scared that I am likely to be fired due to this disorder. Prior to yesturday, my boss let me know that this is an "issue". By this he meant any seizure activity. It feels to me like my boss and co-workers seem to feel I have some sort of control over this... The environment here is the sort where over time is expected and if you are sick you come to work. Some of you may say, why don't you find another job. I am in a mid-size Canadian city at a telco job, which is fairly specific to the industry. I have been applying for jobs within the company, but now that I have had a seizure at work - this comes up in interviews. I am sure this has at lot to do with why I cannot seem to even be able to transfer never mind advance. Any advise? I really need some... Thank you, Jill

Comments

Re: Employment issue

Submitted by jilly on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 13:10
Okay, new update. I was officially told that epilepsy will likely cause me to lose my job. They have never heard of anyone not able to call in because of a seizure. I think I may barf. and cry. I don't remember the last time I felt this stressed out. Jill

Re: Re: Employment issue

Submitted by heathersmithers on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 14:07
Hi Jill,,, i am no longer working,, but i do live in a canada,, how about the labor board,, a letter from your neuro,, does your company have a human resources board? that you can explain to with a dr.s letter backing you up that there may be times that you cannot call in to work as you have just had or may be in the middle of having a seziure? Get ahold of the labor board today if possible and find out what your options are regarding this matter so you can put your mind at rest at least for the weekend.. Take care Heather

Hi Jill, Another Canadian

Submitted by solis on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 18:14
Hi Jill, Another Canadian here.. #1.. The first thing you need to know is, via the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, discrimination due to disabilities is ILLEGAL. http://www.epilepsy.ca/eng/content/social.html (I also never thought of myself as 'disabled', but fact is that during seizure moments I was.) #2 Keep a written record of everything that occurs at work. Like Heather, I'd also suggest you get a note from your physician (& make a photocopy to keep in your files) confirming your epilepsy for your employer & #3 try to arrange an agreement with your employer to work around the situation while you are trying to become controlled. #4 If you believe they won't work around it, contact your epilepsy association and find the name of a lawyer known to represent epileptics in lawsuits. First visit to an LLB is generally free. Chances are good the employer will settle out of court as any employer who fires someone due to a medical issue is breaking the law and would lose if sued, plus no company wants the negative publicity. Fact: Many employers don't think employees are aware of their rights; so, sadly, exploitive mistreatment still exists. ~sol

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