Creating Inclusive Workplaces: How My Epilepsy Led Me To Advocate For Disabled Employees In The Workplace

Navigating Teenage Years

Navigating life as a teenager can be challenging at the best of times, with changing schools, meeting new friends, dealing with body changes, and facing the complexities of adolescence. For those diagnosed with epilepsy, the journey becomes even more demanding.

I was diagnosed at thirteen in the early 90s and was fortunate to have a supportive family and caring friends around me. However, I recognise that not everyone has the same experience. Today alone, 87 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in the UK, and many of them will fear sharing their diagnosis. Stigma still exists, and attitudes towards epilepsy can be hurtful.

The school I attended didn’t lead to university but to the local college, where I started a course in Family and Community Care. As an empathetic person, I had planned to go into care work. This course led me to a role working with children with various disabilities in a respite care home, allowing parents to take a well-earned break while their child was looked after. However, I had a seizure at the care home and was told by the manager to wait outside by the road to be collected by my parents. I did not return to work there, and this marked the end of my career in care work as I lost all my confidence and catastrophised the events of that day. I was 19.

Early Career and setbacks

I spent years moving from role to role, telling employers I had epilepsy because it was the right thing to do, and being advised that if I wanted to get a job, I probably shouldn’t tell anyone about it.

Then came the Equality Act 2010, which I believe is one of the greatest pieces of legislation supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Epilepsy is now considered a protected characteristic, and means I should not be subject to any work-related discrimination in relation to my condition.

Where I am now

Fast forward a few years, I am a Chartered Health and Safety Professional with more than 20 years’ experience. I specialise in mental health and wellbeing, and I have not only gained a master’s degree in health, safety, and environment but have also been a member of the IOSH Council.

In 2018, I was invited to an interview at Sanofi for the role of Health and Safety Manager for the UK and Ireland sites. I was struck by their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and wellbeing programmes, which encourage staff to be healthy, exercise, and be mindful, but also emphasise the importance of employees being unapologetically themselves. I knew this was a place for me.

Support and inclusion at Sanofi

I don’t often have seizures, so when I had five seizures in 2022 and slipped two discs at the same time, I was worried. Sanofi, however, couldn’t have been better. My manager told me to take the time I needed to recover and supported my physiotherapy journey. Other colleagues checked in on me, and everyone made me feel safe and cared about.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the heart of everything Sanofi does. Their commitment is evident in every aspect of the company, from recruitment adverts and induction processes to regular check-ins with managers, policies, safety, facilities, and even building design. Sanofi's diversity and inclusion programme is broad and proactive, ensuring that every employee feels valued and respected. They actively promote a culture where differences are celebrated, and everyone is encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. This includes initiatives like unconscious bias training, diverse hiring practices, and employee resource groups that support various communities within the company.

I’m also proud to say that Sanofi UKIE is part of the Disability Confident scheme, which demonstrates their commitment to recruiting and retaining disabled people and those with health conditions. This scheme helps Sanofi to challenge attitudes towards disability, increase understanding, and remove barriers for disabled people in the workplace.

Thanks to Sanofi's sponsorship of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Paralympics. This experience was overwhelmingly rewarding and allowed me to witness first hand the power of inclusion and the remarkable achievements of athletes with disabilities. It reinforced my commitment to advocating for a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

At Sanofi, I go beyond my Health and Safety role and lead the UKIE Disability Group “Ability +”, where we create a supportive and safe environment for anyone with or associated with a visible or invisible disability. Sanofi encourages a speak-up environment to end stigma and act for change. The company’s dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace has not only helped me thrive professionally, but also allowed me to contribute to a culture of acceptance and support for all employees.

Daniel Thompson Sharon V. Yifei (E-FEY) Alice Wang Adam J S Brown Onyinye Diribe António Cravino Nikou Louise Damestani, Ph.D. Shiva J. Amanda Madden Tom Bentley Paula Oliveira Claire Rowles Lucy Coombs Helen Beeson Samantha Guy Nick B.