HIV/AIDS Policy for Industry >>

CII was instrumental in framing a broad spectrum HIV/AIDS Policy for Industry. This policy is being implemented by many Companies. In addition to framing a Code of Practice for Industry, CII has also put in place its own workplace policy, covering all employees of CII. The policy for industry states that:

1. The company will provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees.
   
2. The company will educate its employees and the family on prevention, care and counselling of HIV/AIDS.
   
3. The company will educate its employees on safe blood donation and transfusion.
   
4. If an employee has been infected, information about the illness would be kept confidential by the company. Only the immediate boss would be kept advised to prevent any medical eventuality.
   
5. A HIV positive employee will be allowed to continue to work in his or her job unless medical conditions interfere with the specific job he or she is doing. On account of health conditions the employee may be shifted to another comfortable position.
6. The employer should ensure that the co–employees cannot or should not shun their HIV positive peer or refuse to work alongside them. Infact, the company will assure his or her comfort level in the work place.
   
7. The company will, as a policy, not discriminate against any employee infected by HIV/AIDS with regard to promotions, training and any other privileges, applicable to all employees of the organisation.
   
8. While the company may ask a person who is being offered a job to undergo general medical tests before the issue of the appointment letter, the test will not cover HIV/AIDS, without an informed consent and pre test counseling of the candidate.
   
9. The company will educate its employees and encourage them to participate in voluntary counselling and testing. However, HIV/AIDS tests will not be a part of any annual or time-to-time health check ups, without the employee’s informed consent and pre test counselling.
   

It is hoped that this policy will help build positive and supportive attitudes towards those infected and promote health and safety amongst the employees.