HIV and the Workplace - Do You Have To Tell?

Should you keep information about HIV a secret from your boss?

Preventing the spread of deadly diseases is always a huge concern for any employer, but in the healthcare industry, it is doubly so.

One of the biggest infectious diseases today is HIV. It is a concern for all medical professionals, but for those who are HIV positive themselves, it can be an even larger dilemma.

With appropriate medical care, people who are diagnosed with HIV can live a full life and still be very productive members of society and the workforce. Because of the many medical breakthroughs, it is more common for people infected with the disease to continue to work at their jobs without much disruption.

When the epidemic was still new, most people who found out that they were infected didn't receive the diagnosis until the disease was already in the late stages and they had begun developing symptoms. Because early testing and medication weren't available, they typically weren't able to return to work and those who were, weren't able to hide their condition due to their frequent struggles with complications as the disease progressed.

Luckily, early detection and medication can manage the disease and keep symptoms to a minimium. In addition, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS released a report that states that the majority of people living with HIV are between the ages of 15 and 49. These are the prime working years of their lives.

People who have been diagnosed with HIV are not required to inform their employer. Although there are times when sharing the information is valuable, for example, when they need time off to deal with their illness or they need their boss to make certain accommodations.

If they choose to reveal their illness at work, they run the risk of being stigmatized and discriminated against. Although they are given protection under the Amercians With Disabilities Act, this only gives them legal protection against being fired for having the disease. It doesn't do anything to combat the prejudices that they may face from their co-workers and others.

Even though HIV and AIDS awareness have made great strides in educating people about the disease and fighting the ostracizing of people living with the illness, there are still people who would be uncomfortable working with someone they know is infected. This is especially true in a medical setting.

All employees should support a healthy and open work environment for everyone. There are still many companies that don't educate their managers on how to prevent discrimination and how to cope with it when they become aware of it.

The prejudices against people with HIV still persist and even those who work in Human Resources think that they ought to be able to share this type of information out of the concern for the health of all of their employees. Still, the truth is that HIV isn't spread through casual contact and unless the sharing of bodily fluids is a normal part of a workday, there isn't much risk of infecting others.

The choice to disclose this information is a deeply personal one, and most HIV activists recommend that if someone is considering making their diagnosis public, that they contact a legal advocate first. Knowing your rights and getting the necessary information in order to prevent discriminator behavior is important.

If you, or someone you know, is living with HIV and concerned about the effects of their diagnosis becoming public, please visit The Well Project for guidance and support.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

Nursing Home Dilemma

The thought of having to put a loved one in a nursing home can be devastating. It effects both the person who is going in and also the lives of the family members that are involved in the decision. It can cause a sense of abandonment and depression to the loved one and a sense of guilt on the family members. Weighing the pro’s and con’s can weigh heavily and take it’s toll. How can this be made easier?

If at all possible, find a nursing home that is close to you and other family members. This way visiting will be easier. You can also keep an eye on the outlook of your loved one. You can see if she’s eating and if she’s being well taken care of. The good thing about nursing homes is that they do provide around the clock care and visits from the doctor when needed. Medication is given on a regular schedule. If your loved one is ill the comfort of knowing that medical care is right at hand is a relief. When the nursing facility is close to where the family members live, then you can provide emotional support that is more homelike than in a hospital setting.

Most of the nursing homes have activities for their residents and encourage socializing. Some nursing homes have therapeutic and indoor recreational facilities. Some even have swimming pools. They may have programs for entertainment and church services.

Dietitians and nutritionists oversee the diets of the residents to make sure your loved one gets what they need. This could be difficult if they would be living with you. Their diet could be something you may not be able to fix properly yourself. Sometimes taking care of aged people at home requires heavy lifting, something you may not be able to do. Nursing homes are better equipped to move residents that aren’t ambulatory.

Some of the concerns of placing your loved ones in a nursing home are legitimate. Perhaps you can’t find one that is near enough where you live to be able to visit every day. They may not understand why there are being taken from their home and “put away”. They may become depressed and it could worsen their health. There are concerns about various forms of abuse such as physical, verbal, sexual and financial. Unfortunately, many victims of abuse are afraid to say anything because of being threatened by abusive staff members which result in more abuse and injuries. If family members suspect their loved one is being abused, they should report it immediately to authorities.

So how do you know if you’re doing the right thing? You have to sit down and think of the cost and benefits of having your loved one is a nursing facility. Careful thought is required because you’re talking about the health and well being of someone you love which is your main concern. Investigating the nursing home you’re thinking about, talking to other residents relatives and getting referrals are some ways to make sure you’re making the right choice in nursing homes. Try to find the best one in your area that the budget will allow and you won’t have to be worried about whether your loved one is receiving quality care.

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She also does freelances work for Beyond and Healthcarejobsite. You can read more of her blogs on Healthcarejobsite blog.