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G.1.4 Why Have Guidelines
Employers should develop and carry out policies and education programs concerning potentially limiting medical conditions before a crisis arises. Such policies and education programs help reduce employees' fears and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and help to:
• Provide current and accurate scientific evidence that people with HIV infection do not pose a risk of transmitting the virus to coworkers through ordinary workplace contact.
•Provide workers with current information about HIV risk reduction for employees and their families.
•Avoid conflict between the infected employee and the employer regarding discrimination or other employment issues.
•Prevent work disruption and rejection of the infected employee by coworkers.
•Inform employees that they have rights regarding work continuation, confidentiality of medical and insurance records, and general health and safety.
•Provide specific and ongoing education and equipment to employees in health-care settings who are at risk of exposure to HIV, and to assure that appropriate infection-control procedures are used.
•Reduce the financial impact, legal implications, and other possible effects of HIV/AIDS in the workplace.
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