Who's the most supportive employer for epilepsy?

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Joyce Falconer will be presenting the awards

Glasgow MSP Robert Brown is helping national charity Epilepsy Scotland to search for the country's Employer of the Year. The MSP is one of 24 leading MSPs belonging to the Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Epilepsy who wants to discover if the best employer is to be found in their own area.

Robert Brown said: "I was a founder member of the Cross Party Group on Epilepsy away back in 1999 and have supported Epilepsy Scotland since then. This is all about encouraging good employers and I am happy to join the hunt for the most supportive employer. Thanks to great practical help from good employers, an employee with epilepsy will feel valued and develop their skills. Any organisation can enter, from the local corner shop to a big multi national. The winning workplace might be right here in our constituency."

Epilepsy Scotland's Chief Executive, Susan Douglas-Scott explained: "There's still a fear around epilepsy. Research shows that a person with epilepsy is twice as likely to be unemployed as someone without disability. So our award, which is unique in the UK, recognises employers who are leaders in their field. Often they don't think they are doing anything special - but they are! We'll highlight their support as an example for others to follow."

Organisations can also apply for a Best Practice Certificate. Every workplace following current disability guidelines is eligible. Robert Brown hopes to see the Certificate displayed on many local office walls. This shows everyone that employees with epilepsy are as valued as any other worker. Both Best Practice Certificate and Employer award nominations can be made by employers and employees.

ENDS

Notes to editor

Epilepsy Scotland works with people affected by epilepsy to ensure their voice is heard. We campaign for improved healthcare, better information provision and an end to stigma. We represent one in 130 people with this common neurological condition - that's nearly 40,000 Scots - as well as their families and carers. Our freephone Helpline 0808 800 2 200 offers information on epilepsy matters including employment issues as does our website: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk

The Employer of the Year award form and Best Practice Certificate can be completed online or can be requested free from our Helpline. There are two Employer of the Year categories; one for organisations which employ up to 50 people and one for those with more than 50 employees. The award is supported by the Scottish Government Health Department. The closing date for award entries is 14 February 2009 - St Valentine is the patron saint for epilepsy. The award will be presented by BBC Scotland's 'Riverside' actor Joyce Falconer on 23 April 2009 (see attached photograph). The Employer of the Year winner will attend the ceremony before a mainly corporate audience attending Epilepsy Scotland's Glasgow gala dinner.

This is the fourth Employer of the Year award for epilepsy. Previous award winners include Harry Gow Bakery (Inverness), DARE hair salon (Aberdeen), Fife Constabulary and CMM Architects (Glasgow).

Epilepsy Scotland's Employer of the Year award was formally launched at last month's Cross-Party Group on Epilepsy meeting. Guests included representatives from enterprise and disability agencies and previous Award winners.

For more award details contact: Allana Parker, Communications Manager: Direct line: 0141 419 1701. Mobile 07884 012 147