Organisational consequences of hiring persons with HIV and attitudes towards disclosure of HIV-related information

Abstract

This study examined human resource managers' knowledge of HIV transmission, their attitudes towards employing persons living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PWHIVs) and disclosure of HIV-related information. Results indicate that respondents were generally knowledgeable about the transmission of HIV and viewed the employment of PWHIVs as having adverse organisational consequences. With respect to disclosure of HIV-related information, findings suggest that generally respondents felt that employers should have access to health records of persons infected with HIV while they were more ambivalent about the issue of revealing such information to co-workers of PWHIVs. Implications of findings for organisations are discussed.