What employers need to know about HIV and AIDS

Overcoming the stigma of AIDS

We’ve come a long way since the 80s when by the end of 1984 almost half of those diagnosed with AIDS in the UK had died. But there’s still very much a societal holdover from these times.

There are a number of studies out there suggesting that we are far more likely to remember bad things than good. Why? Because our memories are often associated with emotion and a negative emotion can often be far more overwhelming than a positive one. Just like when thinking about our biases, this is something we’re going to have to work on re-programming.

Understanding HIV and AIDS in the present day

In 2013 UNAIDS set up the ambitious target of 90-90-90. The hope being that by 2020:

• 90% of those with HIV would know their status
• 90% of those diagnosed HIV+ would receive sustained antiretroviral therapy
• 90% of people receiving this therapy would have viral suppression (this means the virus is dormant and can not be passed on to others)

So how did this go? Not bad at all, actually. By 2020:

• 84% of those living with HIV knew their status
• 87% of those diagnosed HIV+ were accessing therapy
• 90% of those receiving this therapy had viral suppression

Having this positive mindset when it comes to thinking about HIV in the modern world is incredibly important. If we want to create entirely inclusive workplaces we need to make sure people feel able to share their status should they choose to.

If the topic makes you feel uncomfortable, that’s fine too. Go and read up on HIV and AIDS, watch some videos, do all the stuff you would for any other inclusion and diversity area. Knowledge is the tool you need to help create that safe space for others.

It’s thought that since the ‘80s, the total number of people that have died from AIDS related illnesses is more than 33 million worldwide. And this isn’t all in the “distant” past. It’s estimated that around 680,000 people died of AIDS related illnesses in 2020, and over 4,000 people still contract HIV every day (with almost 60% of these infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa).

Understanding for employees remembering loved ones lost to AIDS

Employers also need to be mindful that they may have employees whose loved ones have lost their lives to AIDS. World AIDS Day is not just about raising awareness, it’s about remembering all of those who lost their lives and loved ones. People who couldn’t be saved because the treatment wasn’t available yet and who were stigmatised, sometimes by their own families, because they’d contracted a virus.

The 1st December might be a day for people to reflect on those they’ve lost. They might want to do this quietly, they may not want to talk about it. But some people might want to share their fond memories of their friends and families, to reminisce on people that were taken too soon, or to think about the grief they dealt with.

Questions for employers to consider this World Aids Day

Listen. Be aware. Be compassionate. And ask yourself a few questions:

“How can I improve my understanding of HIV/AIDS?”

“How can I raise awareness?”

“How can I make people feel comfortable with the terms HIV/AIDS?”

“Can we set some time aside for remembrance, a couple of minutes silence with the opportunity (but not pressure) to share?”

Learn more about awareness raising and supporting colleagues who are affected by HIV and AIDS by getting in touch with us or if you’re an Inclusive Employers member, please speak with your account manager.