Know that with the prevalence of HIV, many employers need to learn about and deal with issues regarding AIDS and HIV in the workplace. There are laws in place that dictate the rights of HIV-positive employees. For example, it's unlawful to discriminate against an employee with HIV-positive status.

Your company should provide accommodations for employees with AIDS, especially the ability to return to work after taking medical leave to receive treatment. Outline employees' rights and laws regarding treatment of employees affected by AIDS in your HIV/AIDS workplace program.

1. Learn about HIV and AIDS in the workplace and how it affects your company and other employees.

2. Understand issues that you may encounter regarding employees and AIDS and the lawful way to deal with them.

3. Develop and distribute your company's HIV/AIDS workplace program and policy. This policy will advise HIV-affected employees of their rights and instruct other employees how they should conduct working relationships with co-workers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find information about HIV in the workplace and learn the facts and myths surrounding it

There are many myths surrounding AIDS and HIV exposure in the workplace. As an employer, it's your responsibility to learn the facts about HIV and the laws that dictate an employee's rights at work.

I recommend: Learn the facts at thewellproject to determine your knowledge of facts and myths surrounding AIDS and HIV in the Workplace. Once you have a thorough understanding of the disease, read the Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with HIV/AIDS from The Job Accommodation Network to learn how to comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Learn about possible scenarios regarding employees and AIDS that you may encounter

Employees who are infected with HIV may face stigma and discrimination from co-workers in the workplace. Know what you need to do should these situations arise.

I recommend: Read and study the workplace scenarios from the Society for Human Resource Management to get an idea of possible scenarios you may face if you have an employee with AIDS in the workplace. This website will also provide helpful information about what you can and cannot do regarding employees and their rights. Contact your local American Red Cross for information about their Workplace HIV/AIDS Program to learn more.

Develop a HIV/AIDS workplace program and policy to uphold in the workplace

Familiarize yourself with the potential impact employees with HIV will have in the workplace. Educate your staff about HIV exposure in workplace, outline the company's HIV/AIDS policy and laws concerning treatment of employees with HIV.

I recommend: Develop a HIV/AIDS workplace program with help from Family Health International. Order a copy of the Manager's Kit from the Business and Labor Resource Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This kit helps managers develop HIV/AIDS policies, conduct HIV/AIDS workshops and provide information about aids in the workplace to their employees. Finally, view the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  All staff need to know and understand the possible methods through which HIV transmission occurs and their possible risks, or lack thereof, for contracting HIV in the workplace.