he Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, was first identified in 1983. Since then, HIV has spread around the world, causing one of the most severe global epidemics of modern time. The initial response was led by the public and non-profit sectors, which have mobilised increasing human and financial resources to combat the disease as well as the impact that HIV/AIDS is having on its workforce. The impact of HIV/AIDS can be managed by implementing a formal HIV/AIDS policy to reduce the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS at the workplace.
THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF HIV/AIDS WORKPLACE POLICY
Implementing the HIV/AIDS workplace policy in your organisation has the following benefits:
What You Get
Tax exemption receipt
HIV and AIDS training for your employees
Policy guidelines
Access To Workplace Policy Consultation With MAF
HIV AND BUSINESS
THE IMPACT OF HIV ON BUSINESSES
mployers everywhere are asking themselves whether HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on business. The answer is YES.
HIV/AIDS is not purely a health issue; it is also an issue that goes to the very core of business practices. HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on both the business environment (macroeconomic impact) and on the enterprise directly (microeconomic impact). To sum up, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is likely to result in increased costs and declining productivity for firms, which ultimately will lead to declining profits.
To address this concern, Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) has driven the formation of the Malaysian Business Consortium on HIV/AIDS (MBCH), where businesses come together to mitigate the impact of HIV & AIDS in the workplace and also to create as many safe spaces as possible for employees and professionals living with HIV to thrive and succeed.
MBCH is supported by the Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) of Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia and Ministry of Health Malaysia in line with their National Strategic Plan for Ending AIDS 2016 – 2030.
HIV WORKPLACE POLICY
any large and small businesses address HIV in their workplace policies and programmes to promote good health — either directly or through general policies and initiatives. These programmes can be also be cost-effective and can save businesses money. By educating yourself and your employees now, you can potentially reduce the financial impact, legal implications, work disruptions and other effects that HIV can have on a business when it is not prepared.
OVERVIEW OF HIV WORKPLACE POLICY
workplace policy is the framework of commitment (work plan) for ACTION to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and manage its impact in the workplace. The HIV/AIDS workplace policy should address essential issues, including non-discrimination, fair employment, management commitment, confidentiality, communication of information and prevention.
Currently, there is no compulsion to have a HIV and AIDS policy at the workplace, although businesses are encouraged to adopt the Code of Practice on Prevention and Management of HIV and AIDS at the Workplace developed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia. This document underscores the value of having HIV and AIDS education at the workplace and more importantly, a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory work environment.
