Employment

People living with HIV can face many barriers in employment and the consequences of HIV related discrimination in employment can be far-reaching. Discrimination at work can have a negative impact on a person's health and well-being and loss of employment may lead to loss of accommodation, financial difficulties and poverty.

Current work:

HIV and Employment Research Project:

A clear picture is emerging about some of the barriers that people living with HIV can face getting a job. But we need to know more about the experiences of people living with HIV when they are at work. NAT has commissioned an independent research team to address this information gap. Find out more.

Guide for Small Businesses on 'Unseen' Disabilities:

Feedback from people living with HIV indicates that discrimination often occurs in small businesses. To help small businesses avoid unintentionally discriminating against people living with long-term conditions, such as HIV and cancer, the National AIDS Trust has produced 'You Can't Always Tell- A Guide to 'Unseen' Disabilities for Small Businesses'. Read the guide here.  This resource provides clear, practical advice to help small business owners ensure that they are providing a fair and equal working environment for employees who may be living with one of these conditions and that they are not breaking the law.

HIV and Recruitment:

Recruitment is a crucial step into work and often people living with HIV can face discrimination during the recruitment process. The National AIDS Trust recently produced 'HIV and Recruitment', a guide for employers and job applicants living with HIV. This guide aims to help ensure that the recruitment process is free from discrimination and unfair treatment.  For employers, there is advice on how to ask questions about topics such as disability and gaps in employment.  Read the HIV and Recruitment advice for employers here. For job applicants living with HIV the guide offers information and advice on topics such as legal rights and  disclosing to employers.  Read the HIV and Recruitment advice for people living with HIV here.

Ensuring Positive Futures Project

The National AIDS Trust was an active partner of Ensuring Positive Futures (EPF), an innovative employability programme for people living with HIV in the UK.  The programme's partners work closely with trade unions, employers and the public sector to ensure that workplaces meet their responsibilities to people living with HIV and follow best employment practice.  The programme was part funded through the European Social Fund (ESF) and ended on 31 July 2007.

Key Resources:

• You Can't Always Tell- A Guide To 'Unseen' Disabilities for Small Businesses:  A short guide giving small businesses guidance and sources of further information to help them ensure that they provide a fair and equal working environment for employees living with unseen disabilities
  
• HIV and Recruitment Advice for Employers-  Practical advice and information for employers to help ensure that the recruitment process is free from discrimination and follows best practice
  
• HIV and Recruitment Advice for People Living with HIV - Advice for job applicants living with HIV on the recruitment process, including information on legal rights, advice about disclosing to employers, how to deal with difficult questions, and ways to respond to concerns about disability and health.
  
• HIV and Recruitment Resources -Further sources of information, advice and resources on HIV and Recruitment.
  
• Positively Employed: an end to discrimination at work:  This resource explains what the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 means for people in work, the new protections for people living with HIV and where to get more information and advice.
  
• HIV at Work -  A resource pack which helps employers to understand HIV-related stigma and discrimination and develop strategies to challenge it.
  
• HIV and Your Disability Equality Scheme - A practical guide for Chief Executives, Board Members and Senior Managers of public bodies who are developing or reviewing their Disability Equality Scheme.  The guide offers practical advice on addressing HIV-related equality and discrimination issues within Disability Equality Schemes.  The guide is also available in large print.
  
• HIV and Your Disability Equality Scheme in Scotland - A practical guide for Chief Executives, Board Members and Senior Managers of public bodies in Scotland, developed in partnership with HIV Scotland.
  
• HIV a'ch Cynllun Cydraddoldeb Anabledd -  A Welsh language version of the guide HIV and Your Disability Equality Scheme.
  
• Response to the Government Consultation: A New Deal for Welfare, Empowering People to Work (April 2006) - The National AIDS Trust responds to this consultation as it relates to the needs of people living with HIV, with a particular focus on Incapacity Benefit
  
• Campaigning adverts: Working with the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi, the National AIDS Trust has developed a series of award-winning video and audio resources to raise awareness about HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the workplace and to challenge current attitudes. Although these were developed as adverts they are also a useful resource for training or to stimulate discussion. Please click on the links below to view the clips:
  Invisible man
  Rave Reviews
  Whisper