Epilepsy, employment, and EEO/ADA

[Eggbertx]

Hello everyone, I have a few questions about epilepsy possibly affecting hiring eligibility. For some background, I'm currently in college majoring in computer science, since I've been working with computers pretty much all my life. Because of my epilepsy (tonic-clonic seizures) I'm effectively unable to drive. Unfortunately however, a lot of computer repair jobs (something I would be very good at) require being able to drive. In most cases, it seems like that would be the only thing holding me back.

With that in mind, would I be able to have a potential employer excuse that because this is a medical condition? How (if at all) would EEO (Equal Employment Opertunity) or the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) factor in to this?
My epileptologist told me at one point that while my epilepsy isn't severe, it might be possible for me to apply for some kind of disability benefits. If I did that, would that affect any of this? Would I be put on any kind of restrictions that I don't have already?

If anyone here is or has been a hiring manager, that would be especially helpful.

 

[masterjen]

I don't know what EEO or ADA are, so will leave that part of your post to someone else. However, doesn't your resulting degree as a computer science major include knowledge of programming/software as well as hardware (the latter being my interpretation of your word "repair")? If so, I'm willing to bet that there are IT type jobs out there that do not require driving. For instance large corporations and institutions (eg. hospitals) typically require IT person(s) on site, since it is critical to have properly functioning computers at all times.

 

[Nakamova]

With that in mind, would I be able to have a potential employer excuse that because this is a medical condition?

Not sure what you mean by "excuse" here. Do you mean find ways to accommodate you so that you don't have to drive? This link explains what kinds of accommodations employers may be required to make: http://www.epilepsy.com/get-help/ma...nt-living/employment/reasonable-accomodations

Additional info here about disclosing epilepsy to an employer or potential employer: http://www.epilepsy.com/get-help/ma...iving-epilepsy/employment/disclosing-epilepsy


Applying for epilepsy-related disability benefits is a separate issue. The process is complicated, and most people get rejected the first time around. You probably don't want to go that route at this point, but you can read a bit about the requirements here: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/epilepsy-and-social-security-disability

 

[masterjen]

Thanks for modifying your post to explain the acronyms EEO and ADA, Eggbertx

 

[Fauna]

That's a difficult situation to be in, I'm actually in a similar predicament myself. Nakamova provided some good resources, but I would like to expand on that.
I'm a receptionist in a Human Resources office and while I am not an expert myself (I am just the receptionist after all), I have taken hiring training courses from experts on employment laws.
Reasonable accommodation varies. Ex: A manager wants to hire a qualified candidate to work in their warehouse. Although they have experience with most of the job duties, they are a small, comparatively weak person. Once a day, each worker is required to lift and carry a 150lb. barrel outside. Since it is a once a day activity, and not a core job function, having someone else move the barrel is considered a reasonable accommodation and if they denied the candidate on that basis, they would be open for lawsuit. However, if lifting this barrel was an hourly task, and thus a core job function, they could deny the candidate on that basis. (Note: They would need to state this as a core job function before hiring and ask the applicant if they could complete all job functions, as direct inquiries relating to health are illegal. If the applicant stated they were capable, they would have to either not hire them on different grounds, or fire them for not completing the job duties)

To apply it to your situation: It sounds like you're describing a Geek Squad type position where people drive from the main location to people's homes to fix whatever is wrong. Unfortunately, eliminating the driving requirement would not be a reasonable accommodation. It would be similar to a pizza delivery person not having transport. People expect quick service, which is often unattainable without driving. Public transport and walking simply aren't viable for this type of position. However, there could be exceptions. For example, if this company had their workers go in pairs, it would be a reasonable accommodation to only have the other person drive. If the position says it requires driving for another reason such as occasionally picking up parts or something, then it may also be reasonable accommodation.

Employers should not ask if you have a car or if you drive unless it is directly related. If you don't believe driving is an essential function, just tell them you have reliable transportation. Asking directly about car ownership and non-necessary DL opens them up to class discrimination lawsuit.

**Please do not take my word as gospel, I am fairly new to learning about these laws and my information may not hold up to what is practiced in real life applications. I work for local government, so we abide by these laws to the T and private sector employers may not be as forgiving. Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[Sabbo]

Hi. I had completed my BS degree w/a double major in Economics and Information Decision Sciences. About a year later, I began having Complex Partials, which has prevented me using my degree. I had wanted and tried to work, but after 3 or 4 VERY scary occurrences w/Complex Partials, my family & I said "forget it".
--In one instance, I was at the train station, & if another person hadn't been there, I'd have fallen onto the tracks!
--In another, I exited my office building, & then the next thing I knew, I was 'coming to' at the hospital!

 

[Jeanbean]

Fauna,
You described the employment issues so well. I was fired after not being able to do my job even after asking for accommodations. It makes sense now and I finally got on disability after many years. I can still work about 12 days or less a month. It took a long time and the steps were all in place and I had help and an attorney. Thank you I think it will help other people with epilepsy. Jean

 

[hydrogyrum]

Nobody wants to hire someone with epilepsy, if they know you have it. Go into a job interview and ace it. If you have a seizure at home, by all means do not tell your employer and co-workers that you had one. If you have a seizure at work, pursue medication and diagnosis. Otherwise, they'll think that you're a drunkard.

 

[episodeofgeorge]

Nobody wants to hire someone with epilepsy, if they know you have it. Go into a job interview and ace it. If you have a seizure at home, by all means do not tell your employer and co-workers that you had one. If you have a seizure at work, pursue medication and diagnosis. Otherwise, they'll think that you're a drunkard.

You are so wrong about this! A lot of employers are ready to hire you for your skills and not your medical condition. You just need to show that epilepsy won't be an obstacle to your job duties. Well, in most of the cases.

 

[Porkette]

I worked in public school for 35 yrs. until I retired. All you need to do is get a note from your Dr. stating that
you are able to work and the seizures won't interfere. I had 1 co worker fired after she put me down telling
me the job was to much stress for me but I had been at the school longer than her then my supervisor did the
same thing and a lawyer from my local epilepsy support group spoke with me and saw to that she was transfered
to another school. You have every right to work. Another thing I did was put down on my job application that
I had epilepsy so they knew it from the beginning and my Dr. sent a note in saying I could do the job that way
nobody could come after me while I was working in the school.
I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You,

Sue

 

[suebear]

I have undergrad in Management Information Systems and Graduate in Business. Have always wanted to work remotely since I cannot drive. I'm in an area where the "real" jobs are a 20 minute drive so I'm stuck in many cases. When filling out a job application I always give the best documentation possible. I don't mention that I've got epilepsy unless that comes into the conversation. Every person is different with their situation so how they manage to go through a job interview and balance through the situation is entirely their personal choice.

 

[Sabbo]

I've always been unhappy about the fact that despite working so hard to complete these degrees, they were basically useless to me. With the huge increase in remote jobs/work, I have thought about trying to find a 100% remote job. Transportation is a major issue for me--that's one of the reasons I stopped working within a year of completing my degree.

I've also contacted my neurologist's office for information about possibly applying for disability. I know that for most people with epilepsy, disability is often hard to get since so many people can "control" their seizures with medication or by using a VNS or RNS.

 

[suebear]

I decided that completing college was best for me as it would help me work from home using the skills I taught myself along with the skills I learned from various business owners. I have been able to work wonderful project positions however they have been projects, nothing has been long-time positions - longer than five years which has me very frustrated. With the economy being in the situation it is now I am questioning a lot of where things will go but I am still looking for what will be of benefit positions then sending out new resumes with matching cover letter to that company.

 

[episodeofgeorge]

If you’re into computer repair, there are definitely some gigs where you don’t need to drive all over the place. You could look for jobs in a repair shop or work for a bigger company that just has you fix things in-house, no need for house calls.
As for disability benefits, applying for them doesn’t really restrict you or anything, but it could help out financially if you’re not able to work a full schedule.
And if plumbing’s something you’re considering, just a heads up – in some cases, you need a certain license. For example, a Lead Plumber should have an official plumbing license. If that sounds like your thing, you’ll want to check out some programs to get certified.

 

[Sabbo]

When completing my associate's degree, I emphasized in accounting since I wanted to do my bachelor's in accounting, and hopefully a CPA. I ended up doing my bachelor's degree in economics & information systems. Unfortunately, many courses the academic advisors at my junior college had steered me towards wouldn't transfer as credit towards an accounting degree--only as college credit hours. To complete an accounting bachelor's degree, I'd have to pass the university department test since I didn't take their basic level course & pass it with an A. I'd also have to basically retake many of the accounting classes I took at the junior college--meaning at least an extra year of school. Despite how long it has been, I can still recall most of the things relating to accounting.