In the US, discrimination based on an employee's or applicant's disabilities or pre-existing medical conditions violates the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Under ADA, an employer is prohibited from asking about an applicant's real or perceived disabilities/medical conditions in an interview. However, you must be able to perform the job functions in order to qualify for ADA protections. Employers with 15 employees are subject to the ADA rules.

Based upon these rules, it seems like you don't need to and probably shouldn't disclose the epilepsy on your application. For purposes of ADA, your epilepsy should qualify as a disability even if your symptoms aren't severe enough for you to qualify for disability benefits from social security.

You can get more/better information re this issue from an attorney who specializes in representing plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases. Generally you can get a 30 minute consult with a knowledgeable attorney though a local lawyer referral service for about $25. There are also non profit organizations for persons with disabilities that might be able to give you guidance at no cost. Also, check out disability.org for a plethora of information.

Although my post is based on US laws, I would expect/hope that other countries have equivalent protections.

Disclaimer: This post is not a legal opinion. It is merely a summary of my own understanding of these rules and how they are applied.

Hope that helps, and good luck to you and everyone else here who's trying to find appropriate employment!!

Yes, It is job discrimination.

Many of us do not list epilepsy on our employment applications as it is our private business. Many companies may, and can use it as an excuse to exclude you from their short list for employment. I have never put it on my employment appplication.

it is of course not legal to discriminate against someone for having a disease such as epilepsy. Now actually applying that is another matter and that is the challenge of all with epilepsy to try to achieve the proper justice due to this class of individuals.

They probably do, but it is hard to prove. It is discrimination for them to do it. I'm in the process of looking for a job, but I don't tell them about my epilepsy.