hiv and aids

The number of people living with HIV has been increasing over recent years. There are currently 80,000 people living with HIV in the UK, mostly of working age. But with combination therapies, the overwhelming majority – more than 8 in 10 – of those on treatment respond well and are unlikely to get ill as a result.

This means people with HIV are able to live and work much longer. Employers need to address the problems and prejudices surrounding the condition and those who are living with it.

• Could an HIV-positive employee infect me, colleagues or customers?  more...
• If an HIV-positive person costs more to employ, won't that affect us all?  more...
• Should my employer introduce an HIV and AIDS policy?  more...
• What would the key elements of a good HIV/AIDS policy be?  more...
• I'm worried about HIV transmission at work, how could this happen?  more...
• Do HIV-positive employees have to reveal their condition?  more...
• Is HIV treatment likely to have any effects at work?  more...
• What are HIV and AIDS? Are they different?  more...

further information

You can get information for your employer from the National AIDS Trust (NAT) www.nat.org.uk. NAT has prepared a comprehensive Resource Pack entitled HIV@Work: addressing stigma and discrimination. The pack (just £11) can be purchased from shop.nat.org.uk

The Equality and Human Rights Commission website has information on your rights, and disability discrimination at work, including the leaflet Positively Employed – an end to HIV discrimination at work, which is also available to order in a variety of formats. equalityhumanrights.com

The Terrence Higgins Trust has information on HIV and AIDS at work, including advice on your rights, dealing with medication and how (and whether) to tell your employer. Helpline: 0845 12 21 400. tht.org.uk

The Disability Rights pages on the directgov website provide a range of information, including the full text of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. disability.gov.uk