If I’m HIV-positive, can it stop me from getting a job? Do I have to tell my prospective employees that I’m HIV-positive? 

Every person, regardless of their illness, has a right to employment, if they have the necessary qualifications to do the job. It is not compulsory to disclose your status to anyone and you may not be discriminated against if your employer finds out your status.

Employees are also required to have policies in the workplace regarding HIV. These policies should include issues such as non-discrimination against people living with HIV. Some industries, such as mining and trucking, even offer free anti-retroviral therapy to their employees. Others allow for support groups or offer HIV case management as part of their employee wellness programmes. Some companies outsource the employee wellness programme in order to protect the privacy of their employees.

There have been some cases, such as in the military, where prospective trainees were required to take an HIV test. In most cases, those who tested positive would not be accepted. However, this practice was outlawed and it was a great victory for HIV-positive people in the military. The court felt that because ART drastically improves the lives of people who are positive, there was no basis for not including HIV-positive people in the army.

So, as long as you can do the job, you cannot be discriminated against.

Good luck,

Sis’ Lebo