New Employers resource pack launched to prevent HIV related discrimination

The National AIDS Trust today, 30th September, launches a new resource pack - HIV@Work, advising employers on how best to address and avoid HIV related stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

The employment pack has been produced to coincide with new regulations for the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which comes into force on 1st October 2004. Under the new DDA regulations, businesses with under 15 employees will now be covered under the Act, as will public jobs such as firefighters and police who were previously exempt.

The DDA makes it unlawful to treat a disabled employee or job applicant less favourably, and requires the employer to take reasonable steps to prevent them being disadvantaged in the course of their work. Many small businesses are still unaware of the change in the law and are ill-equipped to deal with their new legal obligations.

The National AIDS Trust HIV@Work: addressing stigma and discrimination pack is a practical resource for employers containing fact files on HIV and AIDS related issues including:

Legal obligations under disability discrimination law
Fair and equitable recruitment
Workplace training
How to create a policy on HIV and AIDS

Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust said:

’Many of the 50,000 people living with HIV have been discriminated against in the workplace, despite that fact that anti-retroviral drugs now available often enable HIV positive people to lead healthy lives. We would like to see more employers helping to put an end to HIV related discrimination by ensuring that they are compliant with disability discrimination law. ’

Charlotte Broughton, employee relations manager at Capgemini said: ’Capgemini is delighted to support the HIV@Work Resource Pack. The pack provides a practical guide for employers, which will enable factual communication about HIV in the workplace and encourage organisations to create and maintain supportive working environments.’

Agnes Fletcher, assistant director communications of the Disability Rights Commission said:

’The National AIDS Trust resource pack should help to build everyone’s confidence and capacity to manage HIV positively in the workplace.’

For copies of the pack visit online shopping at www.nat.org.uk or Tel: 020 7814 6767

For more information about HIV related stigma and discrimination and to read personal stories from HIV positive people visit www.areyouhivprejudiced.co.uk