What We Confront with Employment of People with Epilepsy in Korea

PURPOSE: To investigate the current status of employability in people with epilepsy (PWE) in Korea. METHODS: Data were collected from 543 adult epilepsy patients. Housewives and students were excluded. Information was obtained from self-completed questionnaires. RESULTS: The unemployment rate for Korean PWE was as high as 31%. This figure was five times higher than that of general population. The unemployed PWE had significantly lower quality of life than the employed PWE. the employability of PWE was significantly affected by certain factors: the frequency and severity of seizures; age at onset; interseizure psychosocial disabilities including self-esteem, personality, and problem-solving style; and social discrimination. Actual discriminatory practices in the employment of the PWE were prevalent in Korea. Overall, 24.5% of respondents believed that they had even been treated unfairly at work or when trying to get a job. More than half of those who disclosed their disease to employers reported that they have been refused a job because of epilepsy. About 75% of the patients surveyed said that they have never disclosed their disease in applying for a job. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, PWE have faced many difficulties in employment. The discrimination against PWE and negative social attitudes toward epilepsy may play an important role in the employability of PWE. We need active participation in the "Out of the Shadows" world campaign.