 The HIV epidemic continues
Across the U.S., over 1.1 million people live
with HIV, and 1 in 7 do not know they have it. In Hennepin County, 4,613
people live with diagnosed HIV. Positively Hennepin is the county
government’s strategy for ending its HIV epidemic.
Working with an
employee living with HIV and AIDS
When
you learn that an employee is living with HIV and AIDS, you may be surprised,
saddened, and unsure of what to do. Although this may be an initial reaction,
you should treat all employees in a respectful and equal manner.
People
living with HIV and AIDS want to continue to live and work to the fullest
extent possible. If you are unsure of what to do when responding to an employee
living with HIV, the best advice is to maintain professionalism and respect.
There are many ways to respond when learning an employee is living with HIV and
AIDS.
- Be
compassionate. Try to empathize with the difficult circumstances and
uncertainties that your employee is experiencing. Be there to listen and help
if needed.
- Be
supportive. Be the workplace friend and coworker you have always been. Include
your employee in the same work and social activities as always, whenever
possible. Extend your support just as you would to other coworkers.
Managing an employee
living with HIV and AIDS
When
employees disclose that they are living with HIV and AIDS, everyone— including
management— has responsibilities. Leadership is important in establishing a
workplace environment that is productive and supportive for workers living with
HIV and other illnesses.
This
could mean addressing stigma, which can disrupt workplace productivity and
possibly lead to discrimination. Lack of accurate information about HIV and
AIDS is a major reason stigma exists in the workplace. Negative behaviors
toward employees may include shunning, refusing to work with, or harassing
them. Workplaces sometimes engage in negative behaviors, such as refusing to
hire, failing to promote, or firing a person affected by HIV. These behaviors
are discriminatory and may even be illegal.
HIV
and AIDS-related stigma can have emotional tolls. Though many employees living
with HIV and AIDS perform their jobs well, the stress and anxiety that results
from HIV and AIDS-related stigma may impact job performance. As an employer,
you can help promote an environment in which all employees perform to the best
of their abilities.
Ending HIV-related stigma
You
can help to prevent or to address the fear of people affected by HIV:
- Becoming educated about HIV and AIDS
- Promoting
HIV and AIDS education
- Demonstrating
consideration and compassion for people living with HIV and AIDS
- Continuing
to treat your employees living with HIV and AIDS like other employees and coworkers
Source: United States, Department of Health
and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). HIV in the
Workplace. Retrieved May 13, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/workplace/resources.html.
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