LS&Co.Employee HIV/AIDS Program

Welcome!

Q: I am encouraging Paul to apply for a promotion but he is reluctant to because he is HIV-positive. He shared his status with his manager in the past, but now he thinks LS&Co. will treat him differently. Is that true?

A: No! There is no aspect of his employment that will be affected. The same chronic illness medical criteria applies to all LS&Co. staff for all illnesses, including HIV. LS&Co. will make every effort to ensure that employees with HIV are not stigmatized and will take appropriate action when such behavior is discovered.

Q: What if I get sick. Can I take time off for HIV- related illness?

A: Yes. The policy for HIV-related illness is the same as for any chronic disease.

Q: I would like to tell my manager that I am HIV-positive to explain why I need to take time off to see my doctor. However, I am worried about confidentiality. Is my health information, including HIV status, confidential at work?

A: YES! Sharing any information about an employee’s health or HIV status is NOT allowed. Only you can decide what to tell people about yourself.

Q: There are rumors at work about John. People are talking about his weight loss and lack of energy. He is often sick so they say he has AIDS. Why are they behaving this way?

A: If people don’t understand HIV and don’t have enough knowledge, they become afraid. This leads to gossip and rumors. This is not only unfair and harmful, but it is also against the LS&Co. Worldwide HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy. Even if John is HIV-positive, stigmatizing and discriminating against HIV-positive co-workers are not allowed

Q: My friend and co-worker, Lin, has just revealed that she is HIV-positive. Some of the other workers have stopped talking to her because they are afraid. How can I help create a supportive environment where dignity and human rights are respected for all employees?

A: You can set an example by supporting and continuing to work closely with your HIV-positive friend. Demonstrate that working closely with her is safe!

Q: Can a mother transmit HIV to her child during childbirth?

A: Yes! During pregnancy, labor, delivery and breastfeeding. You may have heard in the news recently that a baby may have been cured of HIV. This gives us great hope, but there is need for more studies to confirm and replicate the findings. That is why HIV testing for pregnant women is a must, so that HIV transmission can be prevented with antiretroviral drugs, which is critical until a proven cure can bereplicated for everyone.

Q: Kim-Ly is pregnant and she is also HIV-positive. She is very depressed because she thinks her baby will definitely be HIV-positive. Her feelings are affecting her health and work. Can an HIV-positive mother have an HIV-negative baby?

A: Yes, but only if she gets tested in time and receives the proper medical support and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Risks of transmission occur before, during and after giving birth, as well as during breastfeeding. Encourage Kim-Ly to get help as soon as possible!

Thank You!