Whether you employ 30 people or 3,000 people, you will soon encounter HIV or AIDS at your workplace or in your community, if you haven't already. Chances are that the disease will affect an employee or an employee's family member. Your company should prepare to address this issue. With today's medical treatments, people with HIV are living and working longer. For 50 percent of the people who have HIV, it will take more than 10 years to develop AIDS. Because medical treatment that lowers HIV viral load might also reduce risk for transmission to others, early referral to medical care could prevent HIV transmission in communities while reducing a person's risk for HIV-related illness and death. That means people with HIV can work and lead productive lives. The numbers of people with HIV, and their extended life expectancy, will result in more employees on the job with HIV in the future. That could mean that someone you know-a client, a customer, a vendor, an employee, or an employee's family member or close friend-is already coping with HIV or AIDS. Employers need to know the applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The act includes protection for people with HIV or AIDS, or those perceived as having HIV or AIDS, from discrimination in employment practices. The act also prohibits discrimination by private entities that serve the public. HIV/AIDS policies and education for the workplace can help to prevent such discrimination through education.
How Can Your Business Respond to the Issue?
Think about how your business would address the issue. Do you have an HIV policy?
Is it implemented? Are your employees afraid of contracting HIV from a co-worker, customer, or client? Do you understand the legal issues surrounding the disease? Do you offer education or assistance programs that address HIV and AIDS issues? Businesses of all sizes are answering these questions in a sensitive, cost-effective, and productive manner. Already, nearly half of American worksites have implemented policies that cover HIV/AIDS, according to a recent benchmark study by the CDC.
Plan Your Program Today
Design policies and implement workplace programs before your company is directly confronted by the issue. Then, you can:
As a business leader, you can make a difference by responding to HIV infection and AIDS in your workplace, your community, and the nation.
