GBEC-R: Employees Living with Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) including AIDS

Diagnosis 

• An employee who has been diagnosed as having HIV infection is advised to obtain a medical opinion as to the state of his/her health.
• An employee is not required to report his/her health status regarding HIV infection or AIDS.
• An employee may choose to discuss their health status with the Occupational Health physician, and/or the Associate Superintendent - Human Resources, and/or their immediate supervisor.  The employee may choose to be accompanied by a union or association representative. 

The employee's identity is to be kept confidential by the persons he/she elects to tell. 

Electing to Continue Working 

Employees living with HIV infection, including AIDS, may choose to continue working and can do so without reporting their health status.  However, they are encouraged to seek assistance as soon as their health status is either affected by working or affects their ability to carry out their duties safely.  At that time, an assessment of alternative work will be made by a team composed of the employee, their physician, the Medical Health Officer and the Associate Superintendent - Human Resources. 

Medical Leave 

• If an employee wants to take medical leave and qualifies for it, the employee will have full access to sick leave, long-term disability and medical benefits, or whatever other provisions exist for that employee within his/her collective agreement.
• If an employee who elected to continue to work becomes too ill to do so, he/she shall be covered as stated in 4 (a) above.
• In the event that an employee exhausts all the sick leave benefits to which he/she is entitled, the Board will ensure the continuation of appropriate financial support (this will be accomplished by negotiating a specific provision with each employee group). 

Counselling 

• Employees diagnosed as having AIDS will be encouraged and supported to seek counselling to assist them in dealing with personal, medical, or financial problems.

DMT Responsibility: AS-HR