Presented by: GROUP 5

HIV AND AIDS ISSUES OF

WORKERS IN THE WORKPLACE
DIVERSITY
REPORTERS:

BERNARDO, EDISON
CABATAN, MARY ROSE NEXUS ANN B
LLANETA, LEONELLE
PUSING, ALYSSA JOY
 INTRODUCTION

HIV infection in humans came from a type of chimpanzee in

Central Africa. Studies show that HIV may have jumped from
chimpanzees to humans as far back as the late 1800s.

The chimpanzee version of the virus is called simian

immunodeficiency virus. It was probably passed to humans
when humans hunted these chimpanzees for meat and came in
contact with their infected blood.

Over decades, HIV slowly spread across Africa and later into
other parts of the world. The virus has existed in the United
States since at least the mid to late 1970s.
WHAT IS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE?

It is a sexual activity involving the insertion and thrusting

of the male penis inside the female vagina for sexual
pleasure, reproduction, or both. This is also known as
vaginal intercourse or vaginal sex.
Human
Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV)
HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is an
infectious virus that gradually breaks down a
person’s immune system, leaving the body less
able to defend itself against viruses, bacteria,
fungi, and parasites. These infections, which are
called “opportunistic,” tend to be mild in the
early stages and can become progressively worse
as they deplete your immune system.
Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is
the stage of the disease when the immune system
is weakened by the loss of CD4 T cells (also
called helper T cells). These are white blood cells
that help fend off harmful pathogens in the body.
Without these defenses, a person will be at high
risk for serious illnesses that a healthy person
would be able to fight off.
HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
It can also be spread by contact with infected
blood and from illicit injection drug use or
sharing needles. It can also be spread from
mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth
or breastfeeding. Without medication, it may
take years before HIV weakens your immune
system to the point that you have AIDS.

There's no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications

can control the infection and prevent
progression of the disease. Antiviral
treatments for HIV have reduced AIDS deaths
around the world, and international
organizations are working to increase the
availability of prevention measures and
treatment in resource-poor countries.
SYMPTOMS OF HIV SYMPTOMS THAT HIV
As the virus continues to multiply
PROGRESS TO AIDS
and destroy your immune cells —
the cells in your body that help fight
off germs — you may develop mild Sweats
infections or chronic signs and Chills
symptoms such as: Recurring fever
Chronic diarrhea
Fever Swollen lymph glands
Fatigue Persistent white spots or
Swollen lymph nodes — often unusual lesions on your
one of the first signs of HIV tongue or in your mouth
infection
Persistent, unexplained
Diarrhea
fatigue
Weight loss
Oral yeast infection (thrush) Weakness
Shingles (herpes zoster) Weight loss
Pneumonia Skin rashes or bumps
MODES OF HIV/AIDS TRANSMISSION
Through bodily fluids
Blood products
Semen
Vaginal fluid

Intravenous drug abuse

Sharing Needles (Without sterilization
Increases the chances of contracting HIV
Unsterilized blades

Through Sex
Oral
Anal

Mother to baby
Before birth
After birth
PRIMARY PREVENTION
Abstinence - means not having any kind of sex with a
partner. Sex includes vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and
anal sex.
Monogamous Relationship - is a relationship with only
one partner at a time, rather than multiple partners.
Protected Sex
Sterile needles
New shaving/cutting blades
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), As the National Human Rights Institution of
the Philippines, is mandated to protect and promote the human rights of all Filipinos,
including people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The Commission is also authorized to
ensure that the State "values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights. "In response to this guarantee and to perform its obligations
to respect, protect and fulfill, the State signed into law Republic Act No . 8504
otherwise known as "The Philippine AIDS of 1998 " on February 13, 1998. Its
implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) were adopted in 1999.

Section 6 and 15 of RA 850 4 states that all government and private employees ,
workers, managers, and supervisors shall be provided with basic information, education
and instructions on HIV/AIDS and the same shall be integrated in the orientation,
training, and other human resource development programs of employees. To advance
human rights through advocacy and reduce the stigma and discrimination among the
groups who already suffer from the lack of human rights protection, a program shall be
developed and implemented for evaluation and funding a workplace for HIV/AIDS
education and information program.
 What is HIV-related stigma
and discrimination?
The terms “stigma” and “discrimination” are commonly used to
describe mistreatment of people living with HIV. Generally
speaking, HIV-related stigma is a negative perception of people
living with HIV. For example, the stereotype that they “have no
morals” or are a “sinful group, or that they are not productive at
work. Of course, these stereotypes are unfounded. HIV-related
discrimination occurs when a less favorable treatment is
explicitly or implicitly based on the real or perceived HIV status
of that person. This may include, for instance, denying job
opportunities to them or paying them less. HIV related
discrimination refers also to apparently neutral situations,
regulations or practices, which in fact result in unequal
treatment of people living with HIV. For instance, mandatory
travel requirements for work may indirectly discriminate where
there are HIV related immigration restrictions.
People living with HIV, or who
are thought to have HIV, can be
subjected to harassment, abuse
or discrimination. This may stem
from ignorance about how HIV is
transmitted or prejudice against
the two groups most affected in
the UK (gay men and black
Africans) by linking HIV with
homophobia, racism or anti-
immigration sentiment.
Whatever the cause, HIV-
related discrimination at work is
not only wrong – it is unlawful.
COMMON ISSUES IN A WORK PLACE AREA
REGARDING HIV/AIDS
1. Treating person as “contagious”
2. Shaming
3. Isolating
4. Changing work arrangements
5. Mandatory HIV testing can trigger violence and harassment
6. Link to homophobia, biphobia & transphobia
7. Preventing and addressing violence and harassment against
people living with HIV
8. Violence and harassment leads to greater HIV vulnerability
 RIGHTS OF AN EMPLOYEE WITH HIV/AIDS
As an employee with HIV, you have a right to remain in the workforce to the fullest extent
possible, and a right to equal employment opportunities. Several federal, state, and local
laws determine how employers design workplace programs pertaining to employees with
HIV.
Employees with HIV are protected from discrimination in employment by law under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law prohibits most private employers, state and
local governments, employment agencies, joint labor management committees, and labor
unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. These provisions
include, but are not limited to:
Job application procedures
Hiring and firing
Advancement
Compensation
Job training
WORKING WITH AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS HIV
Be compassionate. Try to empathize with the difficult circumstances and uncertainties that
your coworker is experiencing. Be there to listen and help if needed.
Be supportive. Be the workplace friend and coworker you have always been. Include your
coworker in the same work and social activities as always, whenever possible. Extend your
support just as you would to other coworkers.
Protect the right to privacy and confidentiality. If your coworker tells you that they have
HIV, it is illegal for you to tell others without their permission.
If you hear a rumor that a coworker has HIV, don’t repeat it.
Even if a person has told others that they have HIV, don’t tell your other coworkers.
Allow your coworker the right to tell others.
Once a coworker has told you that they have HIV, you may be curious and want to know
more. First, ask if they want to talk about it. Don’t pressure your coworker with
questions. Let your coworker decide how much or how little they want to share.
Employers should have a disability policy
that covers how they deal with situations
where employees disclose that they have
a disability. The employer’s policy should
make clear that HIV is a disability from
the point of diagnosis and include:

A principle of non-discrimination on
the grounds of actual or perceived HIV
status
A commitment to confidentiality and
privacy
General prohibition of mandatory HIV
testing of employees
Procedures for dealing with the
management of an HIV positive
current or future employee
Information about instruction and
training for employees and managers.
 Presented by : GROUP 5

Thank you for

listening!!
 REFERENCES:
HIV and AIDS. (2023, July 13). World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhomtBhDgARIsABcaYykqbX2L_6dJjkniqpIlNJz-
jdnfJRhnT7qm5DIVNcQfECvsP3BuKegaAixdEALw_wcB

HIV/AIDS. (2022, July 29). Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524

Guidance for Employees with HIV and their Coworkers. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
.https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/workplace/employee-guidance.html

On HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Workplace Policy. (n.d.). Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.
https://chr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/HRA-CHR-A2013-008-On-HIVAIDS-and-Human-Rights-Workplace-Policy.pdf

Talking HIV Discrimination at Work. (n.d.). NAT ORG.

https://www.nat.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Tackling_HIV_discrimination_at_work_0.pdf

work. (n.d.). International Labour Organization.

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---gender/documents/briefingnote/wcms_740538.pdf