December 1 is a day globally designated to remark the International World AIDS Day (WAD) to raising awareness on HIV disease, comminserate with the families of the disease victims and celebrate the
Heroes whose efforts relentlessly contribute to the fight against HIV.
The global theme of this year’s celebrations is; “Unite against unending
inequalities holding back the end of
AIDS”, this is a well thought of theme
to many sectors and the employment
industry as a whole. Workplaces are
predominantly occupied by people
of different health statuses likely to result into social stigma, discriminations
and related inequalities.
It calls for unifying human resource centered practices to end these challenges especially where confidentiality of workers and employers is lacking or limited. Proactive employees can lead to higher productivity and efficiency.
“Proactivity drives performance and innovation of teams and organizations
and boosts individuals’ well-being and careers.
When individuals are proactive, they use their initiative at work to bring about a better future.
Its however, of paramount importance for
businesses stand in unique position to promote efforts in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
“If businesses are seen to recognize the importance of responding to the disease, it will create a good impression within communities and a tremendous advocacy potential to the general public and the government to sensitize masses against the disease and ensure confidence on using the known HIV prevention measures such as the use of condoms. It starts at workplaces.”
Be as it may, it’s important to acknowledge that HIV/AIDS is an important Labour – related issue because of its implications for workers’ health and productivity. It affects the workplace in a variety of ways. Stigma and discrimination often present major challenges to the successful implementation of workplace HIV and AIDS programs.
Employees and job applicants living with HIV and AIDS at times experience HIV-related stigma from their colleagues and most especially from their employers.
The HIV and AIDS-induced stigma may result in the self-sacking of persons living with HIV and AIDS or their being technically shown the way out of their jobs.
Despite the growing body of knowledge related to HIV and AIDS, little is known about the nature of the associated stigma and workplace-based interventions geared towards addressing stigma and discrimination either as an issue in its own right or as a critical component of HIV and AIDS program.
It’s from this background that many companies, institutions have come up with policy responses to the epidemic as well as plans of action to ensure inclusiveness in the fight against deadly virus.
The tendency of many employers of Labour has been to discriminate against employees and job applicants living with HIV and AIDS through the use of HIV testing result to exclude those that are HIV positive.
However, there is little information relating to the knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions of employers of Labour regarding HIV and AIDS.
Information relating to these issues is
needed for the design of appropriate
workplace health education programs
geared towards making workplaces health promoting-settings especially for
persons living with HIV and AIDS is vital.
Determining potential effects of the level of awareness of employers of Labour about HIV and AIDS, HIV and AIDS-related activities in workplace as well as agents which is likely to influence their behavioral intentions towards staff or applicants living with the disease condition will yield potential for influencing their health and wellbeing.
Awareness and behavioral intentions of employers of Labour to Persons Living With HIV/AIDS ought to be used as baseline information for designing and implementing educational programs for making workplaces health promoting for persons living with HIV and AIDS.
Behaviors (practices), behavioral intentions and antecedents which should be addressed with appropriate HIV and AIDS education strategies in workplaces for health promoted environments of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS.
From a Human Resource perspective, it is necessary to deal with HIV and AIDS in workplaces and I share to you reasons why every organization should use human resource centered practices to end inequalities, stigma and discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS.
HIV and AIDS has a huge impact on the world of work because it reduces the supply of Labour and available skills, increase Labour costs, reduces productivity, threatens the livelihoods of workers and employers, and creates environments which undermine the rights of workers.
The workplace is an appropriate place to
tackle HIV and AIDS. This is more so related with set of standards for working conditions and Labour relations. Workplaces are communities where people come together, interact and share experiences.
This provides an opportunity for awareness raising, the conduct of education thinks tanks, and protection of human rights.
Employers and trade union leaders are important opinion leaders in their communities and countries.
Leadership is crucial to the successful fight against HIV and AIDS at all levels including the family, community and workplaces.
More so, embrace leadership that governs all your workers fairly and demonstrate that you value them with your words and actions. Listen to their concerns and do your best to address them.
Communicate clearly with your employees and explain important decisions to them.
Be employee centered and understand
employees are feeling overwhelmed and
anxious about sudden changes happening in the workplace in addition to circumstances regarding the pandemic.
Take time to discuss with your staff members any concerns, answer questions, and reaffirm their value to the organization.
“Human Resource Management can
do much more to support employees
who receive HIV diagnoses by listening, learning and offering flexible work conditions, employers can make a big difference to those living with the illness.”
I appeal to the general public to embrace fight against HIV/AIDS and be part of the AIDS Day celebrations for unification to end inequalities holding back the fight against the epidemic.
By Shallon Musiime
The author is a Human Resource
Manager, Team University Uganda.
musiimeshallon1985@gmail.com
