AIDS in the workplace: implications for human resource managers

Personnel managers must become aware of the increases in the number of employees with AIDS and take a practical and proactive approach to develop a company policy that affords the company legal protection and respects the rights of afflicted employees. A corporate AIDS policy must emphasize AIDS education for the workforce to teach how AIDS is spread, provide a forum for employee discussion, and provide information on AIDS treatment. Companies should set up a task force to research the disease and to structure the education program. Personnel should be trained as resource specialists or outside specialists should be retained. AIDS topics should be introduced to employees by educating supervisors first, than all employees. Information should be distributed to employees as soon as it becomes available.