Employers and AIDS: Dealing with the Psychological and Emotional Issues of AIDS in the Workplace

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a major health problem which is increasingly affecting the workplace. It is a disease which impacts people during their employment years. The Centers for Disease Control believes that every U.S. employer will eventually have at least one employee with AIDS. Employers will probably deal more with the mental health aspects than the physical health aspects of AIDS. This article examines the organic (AIDS Dementia Complex) and the emotional psychological aspects of AIDS, reviews the employer's and manager's responsibilities in regard to AIDS, and suggests actions that can be taken to assist employees with AIDS, their families, co-workers, and the organization.