AIDS and the workplace: the corporate response
Embargo Date
Indefinite
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
AIDS results in many legal, medical and ethical problems in the workplace. These problems are mainly due to the fear of a disease that has claimed the lives of many young and productive American workers. As the number of cases continue to rise, U.S. companies will have to decide how to handle employees with AIDS as well as the fears of their co-workers. To date, only a small number of U.S. corporations have addressed the issue of AIDS in the workplace. Those that have, particularly companies in San Francisco, California, have responded with educational programs and policies.
Through interviews with 19 companies that have instituted AIDS education programs, I identified three approaches to AIDS in the workplace. I interviewed various corporate officials including corporate medical directors, human resource staff and employee assistance counselors. Corporations approaching AIDS as a human issue in the workplace have demonstrated an understanding of the impact of AIDS and the problems it causes. They provide not only support and assistance to employees with AIDS but also provide funds to support community education efforts.
Corporations approaching AIDS as a medical issue provide education to employees on a limited basis. They generally address only the epidemiologic aspects of the disease. Their programs are generally a one shot effort with little follow-up.
Corporations dealing with AIDS as a crisis are those that have had employees panic as a result of knowledge of an infected co-worker, client or customer. These companies have often faced lawsuits brought on employees with AIDS charging them with discrimination. In order to end these workplace problems these companies have had to institute education programs.
Corporations that provide comprehensive AIDS policies and education programs are better prepared in the event an employee develops the disease. There have been predictions that all U.S. workplaces will be affected by the AIDS crisis in some manner. Companies failing to address the AIDS crisis are risk not only legal and financial exposure but worker productivity.
Finally, companies that address AIDS in the workplace are fighting the disease the only way known--through education.
Description
Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University
License
PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.