HIV/AIDS Toolkit

You may already know - or soon will know - someone living with HIV infection or AIDS. The person may be a coworker, an employee, neighbor, friend, or family member. Advances in the medical treatment of HIV/AIDS have enabled many workers with HIV/AIDS to return to the workplace. HIV/AIDS is impacting the workplace significantly in areas such as healthcare insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and staff training and programming to workplace related legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

"People who thought they would never return to work are now doing so, thanks to new medicines and treatments. This is great news, but HIV/AIDS still presents serious problems in the workplace."
Michael Losey, SHRM President and CEO
Source: HR NEWS, October 1998
This progress in the treatment of the HIV/AIDS virus has changed the way companies address the issue of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), in conjunction with the National AIDS Fund, has developed an HIV/AID Toolkit to assist companies reevaluate their policies regarding HIV/AID in the workplace. The toolkit offers a multitude of resources and information to help business develop strategies to apply in their workplaces.
"Employers need to be informed about HIV/AIDS and know how to develop related programs and polices, as well as how to reintegrate these employees into the workforce."
Jennifer Rhodes, SHRM Diversity Director
SHRM and the National AIDS Fund have created a comprehensive reference guide that details what employers and employees need to know about the HIV/AIDS virus as it relates to the workplace. The SHRM HIV/AID Toolkit is composed of nine sections:

Sample Business Case: The sample business case in support of an organizational HIV/AIDS Awareness program succinctly details the inherent business value in initiating and developing an HIV/AIDS awareness program.

Sample HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy: The sample HIV/AIDS workplace policy is included as an example after which a policy for your organization can be modeled. Such a policy should serve as the foundation for your HIV/AIDS program and clearly state your company's position and procedures regarding HIV/AIDS.

Education and Training Program Information: The education and training program information outlines components to consider and include when developing your program.

HIV/AIDS: A Guide for Employers and Managers: This guide, developed by the National AIDS Fund, provides an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and touches on points important to employers and managers.

HIV/AIDS: A Guide for Employees: This guide, also developed by the National AIDS Fund, provides an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and touches on points important to employees.

Workplace Scenarios: Three scenarios are included as examples to provide insight into some of situations that can arise when dealing with HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

HIV/AIDS Resources: This section contains valuable reference information for your use.

About the National AIDS Fund: The National AIDS Fund is the leading business and pioneering philanthropic response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

About Business Responds to AIDS (BRTA): Business Responds To AIDS (BRTA) is a cooperative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the business sector.

As an employer, manager or supervisor, you may be called on to respond to questions from your employees about HIV infection or AIDS. As an employee you should understand how to deal with friends, coworkers or family members who are infected. You need to be prepared. Understanding the facts about HIV infection and AIDS will help you protect yourself, your employees and your business.

If you have questions about SHRM and the HIV/AIDS Toolkit contact:

Jennifer Rhodes SHRM Diversity Director
Society for Human Resource Management
1800 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 USA
(703) 548-3440
FAX: (703) 535-6490

For More Information on HIV/AIDS Contact:
National AIDS Fund, Workplace Resource Center
202-408-4848
888-234-AIDS