Reducing the HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace
By Hon Jing Yi |
Posted: 27 January 2012 1621 hrs

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Reducing the HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace

SINGAPORE: The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) have revised the guidelines to help companies manage HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

The aim is to better help companies establish workplace HIV/AIDS policies.

It also aims to educate employees and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Representatives from about 50 companies have pledged to adopt the new guidelines.

More people are now accepting those living with HIV – the level of acceptance for people living with HIV has increased from 22 per cent to 42 per cent between 2007 and 2010.

But the Ministry of Health believes more can be done to de-stigmatise the disease.

Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said: “Employees living with HIV still frequently experience discrimination in their workplace, both during their period of employment and during their application process.

“A common form of discrimination occurs when employees are dismissed, not on the basis of their performance, but because of their HIV status.”

Under the guidelines, companies will get practical information on how to educate staff about HIV and its prevention.

This will help to reduce fear and protect staff so that they do not engage in behaviour that put them at risk of contracting HIV.

Employers will also be given tips on how to adjust their internal processes to support HIV/AIDS prevention programmes and employees who suffer from the disease.

The final tier is aimed at removing workplace discrimination.

Health Promotion Board CEO Ang Hak Seng said: “Our HIV programmes today are not standalone programmes. But they are bundled with the Workplace Infectious Disease Education (WIDE) programme.

“And by doing so, we’re actually lowering the signature level of the HIV programmes and I must share with you that it has been very successful.”

The message is that even those with HIV/AIDS can make valuable contribution in their workplaces.

One company that has been open about the issue is Standard Chartered Bank. It has implemented a “Living with HIV” programme in its offices worldwide. It now wants to share its experience with the community.

Standard Chartered Bank Corporate Affairs senior manager Romany Parakrama said: “It is done by our staff members themselves, so although they are not medical experts, it’s a peer programme which makes it easier for people to understand, to ask questions.

“So in Singapore, yes, we have reached out to nearly 50,000 people in Singapore with our staff and externally.”

There are some 4,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Singapore, and seven in 10 of them are working adults between 30 and 59 years old.

- CNA/wk

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