AIDS Policy

Communication Link stands committed to the following policies and guide lines and approach to AIDS.

Objective

This policy has been set-up in place to:

• create awareness about AIDS in workplaces

• create awareness that AIDS does not spread through casual contact or by any work related activities that bring colleagues in contact with each other

• create awareness about the rights that all employers are entitled for who have been diagnosed of AIDS

General Guidelines

Communication Link Stands committed to the following guidelines:

• Maintaining a healthy working environment both physical and emotional.

• Employees who are diagnosed of AIDS may continue to work as long as they are medically fit to discharge their duties. We will also strive towards ensuring proper working environment and access to medical facilities near the work-place.

• Conduct periodic in-house meetings and discussions at work-place to create awareness about AIDS – the facts and myths.

Medical Facts

• AIDS cannot be transmitted by casual contact or close contact as in the nature of work related activities.

• AIDS does not transmit by air and breathing even in close proximity with a effected colleague.

• AIDS does not transmit by using common toilets, showers, wash basins, sharing paper or using the same telephone.

• Even tears and oral secretions does not lead to transmission of AIDS.

• AIDS virus can be transmitted only by intimate exchange of bodily fluids, blood, vaginal fluids, semen.

• AIDS virus attacks the immune system of the body and if preventive measures are not taken then it leads to breakdown of the body’s immune system leaving the body vulnerable to all other forms of diseases.

• There are Anti retro viral available free of charge at all clinics and hospitals that helps the body in the delay and slows down the breakdown of the immune system.

• Whatever be the sexual preferences all are at equal risk of contracting AIDS equally. AIDS can be transmitted through:

    o Sexual contact
    o Exchange of body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal secretions.
    o Through contaminated needles
    o Through contaminated blood or blood related body fluids
    o Mother to new-born during the conception stages.

• AIDS related symptoms takes weeks and months or even years to appear, so it is necessary to go for check-ups in case we feel we have subject ourselves to risks.

• As AIDS effected colleague is subjected to a lot of stigma from the society because of lack of awareness. Moreover it’s a life threatening illness. As such he or she needs a lot of understanding and compassion.

Affected Colleagues

AIDS virus affected colleagues should be treated with full adherence to the prescriptions and all effort should be provided to ensure that the personnel follow all steps of the treatment.

The management stands committed and guarantees that no employee will ever be discharged on account of being HIV positive and this will never be factor that will be taken into consideration for employment of new staff as well.

At times if the personnel is medically deemed unfit for a particular kind of job then all effort will be made to place the personnel in a alternate role of work that can be executed with the desired productivity.

Work schedule and place of work will be adjusted to ensure the regular access to treatment does not get compromised.
Any incident associated with stigmatization will be dealt and addressed immediately.

AIDS Testing

While management will encourage regular tests but it is purely voluntary and not mandatory.

If a employee finds that he is positive he is not duty bound in any which way whatsoever to inform the management. It’s a purely voluntary decision. But employees who work in kitchen areas or if the nature of work is detrimental for their condition then they are urged to meet the Managing Director personally so that the situation can be addressed.

Supervisors Duties & Responsibilities

Please note that it’s the responsibility of all supervisors and they are duty bound to ensure that proper working environment is provided to all affected employees and to ensure their living conditions are conducive while they are on work.