Would you keep or let an epileptic nanny go?

You just found out your nanny gets sudden episodes of unconsciousness. She has been with you for months without experiencing seizures. How safe is it to leave your baby with her, considering she is very good with the kids and that it is difficult to come across her kind? Our writer MILLIAM MURIGI finds out.

Raising five children is no walk in the park, especially if only one child is able to do a few things by themselves and the rest are quadruplets under five.

You worry that finding a reliable babysitter for such a home setup is near impossible, due to the extra attention, knowledge, and patience necessary needed to care for the children.

And when you find one that fits all these characteristics, you don’t want to let them go.

But what happens if you find out that your new found helper has a life threatening condition, not only to her, but also to the children? 

This is exactly what happened to Divinar Joseph two weeks ago.

One morning while her househelp and her eldest daughter were having breakfast, she heard a loud thud followed by a loud scream by her daughter. Panicking, she rushed to see what had just happened.

Her househelp was lying helplessly on the floor, in uncontrollable fits of convulsions biting her tongue and frothing at her mouth. 

In a flash Divinar’s legs started shaking and in a confused state started calling out for her neighbours’ for help. 

Traumatic experience

“It was a horrific experience, my quadruplets had also heard the screams and were also wailing in anguish,” recounts Divinar.

After gaining consciousness, Divinar asked her if she had ever experienced a similar seizure before and she answered in the affirmative.

“That is how I learnt that she was epileptic. I wished my children were not present to witness the whole event and they haven’t stopped talking about it since then and my daughter, who was there when it all happened is still traumatised,” she says.

Divinar says too many questions linger about the worst that could have happened if she was not around on that particular day.

She wondered whether she should let her go or keep her, but decided to keep her since she was good with her job.

But when Divinar took her to the hospital, the doctor advised that she was not fit to raise children as her condition was too fragile. 

Epilepsy is  one of  many unseen conditions, under the category of disability that has left many employers at crossroads on whether they should employ minders suffering from it. 

“I would let her go immediately,” says Nelly Njau, a mother of two. She says even though the girl were good with her work, she would just let her go.

She says  she would not take any chances with her children because accidents happen any time.

But what if the issue of human rights and discrimination comes up? Ruth Khakame, the Chairperson of the National Domestic Workers Council and Kenya Union of Domestic,Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied workers (Kudheihia) says disability should go hand in hand with ability to perform. 

Well-being checkups

“On the subject matter I think it is dangerous to hire a domestic manager with some of these conditions because it is dangerous for her and it extends to the people she is taking care of,” says Ruth.

She says it is important for employers to monitor and not ignore symptoms manifested by their domestic workers.

In extreme cases they should accompany or recommend health checkups for their workers well-being while in or before employment to avoid eventualities. 

“If she is already hired, the worker is entitled to medical protection and she can be allowed sick leave to seek medication.

However, if it is a condition that affects their work performance and poses a danger, employment can be terminated, but due procedure should be followed to avoid discrimination against the employee on basis of their health status,” adds Ruth.

On matters of health status, Ruth says that even with disclosure where needed, a doctor is only required to only give a certificate of fitness and not a full medical report.

“Matters of disclosure should be between the healthcare provider and the worker.

It is a breach of the constitution; right to privacy and right not to have information relating to one’s private affairs revealed,” Ruth says.

Janet Wanjiku, a counsellor says medical conditions such as epilepsy is not a respector of person. Anyone can have it, therefore, it would be unfair to release a domestic worker on such grounds.

She advises employers to talk to the rest of family members about the new employees condition and let them know it is a normal part of life.

“Before releasing her ask yourself this simple question what if it is my child, close relative or even family member? 

Would I be happy to see them treated that way because of their health status? If not treat them as your own and ensure that they are safe in whatever they do. 

We need to empower such people and learn to live with them. In the event, a child is involved, lawfully terminate the contract adhering to provision of employment act on termination,” says Wanjiku.