Is HIV/AIDS killing your organisations bottom line?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the greatest challenges facing employers today, and should provide the impetus for a thorough investigation among employees in order to arrive at an estimate of HIV prevalence within the workplace. Such an investigation could shed light on future demographic workforce trends as well as related costs, e.g. loss in productivity and service delivery due to absenteeism, increased retirement and a rise in medical aid and pension fund claims that the employer is likely to encounter. HIV/AIDS must be holistically measured and proactively managed in the same light as other major identified business risks, e.g. personal and asset security, exchange rate volatility, and political and infrastructure risks and the response should be multi-dimensional: • Identify, measure and manage; place HIV/AIDS at the top of board agendas. • Appoint senior executives to manage the risk. • Regularly evaluate management structures and interventions. • HIV/AIDS education is key to both management and employees.