DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

POLICY DOCUMENT ON HIV/AIDS AND OTHER STDs IN THE WORKPLACE

PREAMBLE

This Department:

• acknowledges the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic;
• seeks to minimise the social, economic and developmental consequences to the Department of Transport and its staff;
• commits itself to providing resources and leadership to implement an HIV/AIDS and STD programme; and to
• commits itself to create a supportive and non-discriminatory working environment through dispelling of myths and stereotypes and offering counselling and education services to affected and infected employees.

The Department affirms that:

• Employees living with HIV/AIDS have the same rights and obligations as all other employees.
• Employees living with HIV/AIDS shall not be discriminated against on the basis of their medical status and shall be protected against such discrimination.
• HIV status shall not constitute a reason to preclude any person from employment and the disclosure of HIV status shall not under any circumstances be used to discriminate against an employee on any grounds.
• No employee shall be required to undergo HIV testing. Where testing is done at the request of the employee, this will be with her/his informed consent and accompanied by counselling.
• Confidentiality regarding the HIV status of any employee shall be maintained at all times. To reveal the HIV/AIDS status of another employee without their consent shall be a disciplinary offence.

The Department shall appoint an HIV/AIDS Programme Co-ordinator and Working Group to -

• Communicate the policy to all employees.
• Implement, monitor and evaluate the Department=s HIV/AIDS programmes.
• Advise management regarding programme implementation and progress.
• Liaise with local AIDS service organisations and other resources in the community.
• Create a supportive and non-discriminatory working environment.
• Provide information on support and counselling to infected and affected employees.
• Ensure the availability and accessibility of personal protective gear to all employees who may potentially be in contact with blood.

This policy applies to all employees of the national Department of Transport.

The HIV/AIDS Programme of the Department shall provide all employees access to -

• Information, education and communication activities, including media materials and peer education.
• Barrier methods, ie male condoms.
• Health services for the appropriate management of STDs.
• Treatment of opportunistic infections for infected staff.
• Testing and counselling services.
• Personal protective equipment for staff who may potentially be exposed to blood or blood products.
• Support for both infected and affected staff and their immediate family members.

ALL EMPLOYEES

All employees will be held responsible and accountable for complying with this policy. HIV/AIDS programmes will take place during working hours and employees will be encouraged to attend such programmes.

MANAGEMENT

All managers are responsible for the implementation of this policy, ensuring compliance with and knowledge of its terms and for taking immediate and appropriate corrective action where warranted. Managers must open and maintain communication channels to allow employees to raise concerns concerning HIV and STDs. Managers are encouraged to attend the programmes to give visible support to the Department=s programme.

The Department shall endeavour to utilise all opportunities to interact with civil society to contribute to the mission and objectives of the National HIV/AIDS and STD Programme.

The Department shall serve on the Inter-Departmental Committee to ensure a uniform and concrete response by Government to the epidemic.

The Department shall establish partnerships with its stakeholders in order to coordinate and combine efforts in addressing all issues around HIV/AIDS with the transport fraternity.

The administration of the HIV/AIDS programme is assigned to the Programme Co-ordinator and the HIV/AIDS work group.

The DM: HRS is responsible to ensure that enough resources are available at all time to drive projects and that this policy is properly distributed in the Department. (Every employee must personally receive a copy of the policy). New employees will receive a copy during their Induction Programme. The DM: HRS takes full responsibility for budgeting related to HIV/AIDS matters in order to maintain sustainability of HIV/AIDS projects and programmes in the Department.

Being a responsibility assigned by the Minister, it is expected of the DM:HRS to report back on HIV/AIDS projects to Senior Management and to ensure that all Senior Managers support the Department=s efforts.