The purpose of this research was to explore HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace, with a special focus on the stigmatised. The sample consisted of 10 HIV/AIDS positive employees. A qualitative interview schedule was designed. The interview guide was used to facilitate one-on-one interviews with each participant. An analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the participants were shunned by family, friends and partners. Others were too ashamed or afraid to reveal their positive status. The majority of the participants did not feel comfortable revealing their positive status to their line managers and to their co-workers. All participants felt that others viewed people living with HIV/AIDS as dirty and unclean and many had been exposed to stigmatising behaviours towards them due to their HIV/AIDS positive status. As a coping mechanism, most participants noted that they would walk away if stigmatised against. Recommendations were made to address HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisation Psychology)

Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / HIV/AIDS has emerged as one of the biggest epidemics in modern human history, and is perhaps the most researched and written about epidemic. Southern Africa is at the epicentre of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, with almost one third of the world’s HIVpositive population living here. HIV is known to affect predominantly vulnerable populations; thus it is surprising that persons with disabilities have been largely overlooked. Little is known about how HIV/AIDS affects persons with disabilities in South Africa. This dissertation, therefore, aims to explore the extent to which organizations and schools working with persons with disabilities are dealing with HIV/AIDS, and how they are dealing with it. The study made use of an integration of quantitative and qualitative research methods. An existing survey questionnaire used in the World Bank/Yale University Global Survey on HIV/AIDS and Disability was used, with permission, as the survey instrument in a national survey of disability organizations and special needs (LSEN) schools in South Africa. The survey was distributed by post and email to 601 organizations and schools across the country, in all nine provinces. Various contacts and postings of the survey were made to organizations and schools, in an attempt to improve response rates. The response rate from national disability organizations was 57%, while the response rate for regional and local organizations and schools was very poor, with an overall response rate of 18%. The sample, however, was representative of the population. The results of the survey indicate a high level of concern about HIV/AIDS as a risk for persons with disabilities. The majority of organizations and schools were involved in providing HIV prevention education. However, most organizations and schools felt that persons with disabilities were excluded from general HIV prevention campaigns, and were thus receiving less information. A second study, using qualitative research methods, used case studies of three organizations/schools to explore more in-depth staff difficulties, challenges and particularly anxieties related to dealing with sex, sexuality and HIV among persons with disabilities. The case studies were analysed from a psychosocial framework, using social constructionist theory with psychoanalytic theory, to explore how social discourses about HIV and disabilities are internalized by staff. It is theorized that people draw on particular social discourses, in this case about HIV and disability, as a defence against threats to the self. Texts were analysed using discourse analysis to identify social discourses. A further analytic layer used psychoanalytic theory to identify unconscious communication of emotions and defence mechanisms. The case studies found that staff have considerable anxiety with regards raising issues of sex, sexuality and HIV with persons with disabilities. Staff from all three organizations were varyingly anxious about needing to protect the people they work with from harm. Disabled people were constructed as innocent, vulnerable, and needing protection. In other cases disabled people were constructed as deviant and their behaviour needing to be controlled. The use of an integration of qualitative and quantitative methods is useful, in allowing to explore more in-depth the lived experience of research participants. While the survey indicated that organizations were providing HIV prevention education, the case studies revealed much anxiety about this, and in some cases education was partly avoided. The results also suggest that HIV prevention education may be used in a way to control and restrict disabled people’s sexual expression, using a demonizing discourse about sex as dangerous and in some circumstances immoral. This may be done in an absence of a discourse of pleasure, where disabled people may be empowered to have fulfilling sexual lives. The study also highlights sexual abuse and rape of persons with disabilities as a serious issue. The dissertation ends with recommendations for further research, including exploring the experience of disabled people themselves, and the need to address the silence around sexual abuse and rape of persons with disabilities.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa more people are living with AIDS than in any other country in the world. It is now evident that HIV/AIDS has developed into a pandemic that not only affects the health of individuals, but does expand to households, communities and the nation. The stigma of HIV/AIDS is most likely the single most important reason why people, organisations and the government tend to shy away from the problem. The prime aim of business is to make money, but the fact that AIDS affects people at the peak of their productive years when they would normally not require medical attention, will impact negatively on the organisation's bottom line results. Apart from government, business is the only group that has the capacity and resources to successfully implement strategies in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This study provides a theoretical introduction to HIV and AIDS but also indicates that small to medium size organisations are slow to react to the threat that HIV and AIDS will have to their business and also the country. The study shows that large organisations have definitely been successful in their fight against the disease. The study concludes that knowing the prevalence rate of HIV in a organisation and adapting the strategy accordingly is essential for long term sustainability of the organisation. CISCO was selected as the case study to substantiate the above-mentioned opinions and conclusions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid Afrika woon daar meer mense met VIGS as enige in enige ander land in die wereld. Dit is tans duidelik dat MIV/VIGS ontwikkel het in 'n pandemie wat nie net die gesondheid van individue raak nie, maar wat ook uitkring na huishoudings, gemeenskappe en die nasie. Die stigma van MIV/VIGS is heel waarskynlik die grootste enkele rede waarom organisasies en die regering wegskram van die probleem. Die hoofdoel van 'n besigheid is om wins te maak, maar die feit dat VIGS mense tydens die toppunt van hulle produktiewe jare affekteer wanneer hulle normaalweg geen mediese versorging sou benodig nie, gaan 'n negatiewe effek op organisasies se winsgewendheid hê. Behalwe vir die regering is privaat besighede die enigste groep wat beskik oor die kapasiteit en hulpbronne om strategiee te implimenteer wat suksesvol sal wees in die stryd teen MIV en VIGS. Hierdie studie gee 'n teoretiese inleiding oor MIV en VIGS. Dit dui ook daarop dat klein tot medium grootte organisasies stadig reageer op die bedreiging wat MIV en VIGS vir hul besigheid en die land kan inhou. Die studie toon dat groter organisasies meer sukses behaal in hulle stryd teen die siekte. Die studie bevind dat dit vir die volhoubaarheid van 'n organisasie belangrik is om te weet wat die voorkoms syfers van MIV in die organisasie is en die strategie ten opsigte van MIV en VIGS dienooreenkomstig aan te pas. CISCO is as 'n gevallestudie gebruik om bogenoemde waarnemings en aanbevelings te staaf.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No disease in modern times has created as much fear and panic as HIV/AIDS - undoubtedly one of the most formidable public health problems facing South Africa today. Traditionally, HIV/AIDS has not been regarded as a workplace issue, except for "high-risk" professions such as surgeons, dentists and emergency medical technicians. The stark reality is that HIV/AIDS will have an impact on all sectors of society and all aspects of human activity throughout South Africa. Because of the nature of the spread of the disease, it hits predominantly sexually active people. These are the people that make up the workforce. It can therefore be expected that HIV/AIDS will impact directly on the patterns of employment in South Africa. Furthermore, the economic consequences of the epidemic will result in pressures on the South African economy, which again will influence employment. Apart from affecting the general population, HIV/AIDS will have a direct impact on businesses in various areas. HIV/AIDS will also have a significant impact at community level that will, in turn, impact on businesses. If business in South Africa is to survive, these impacts have to be managed so that productivity can be maintained and costs can be contained. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of HIV/AIDS on employment by examining the South African labour market. From the study, it is clear that South Africa is certain to experience severe consequences arising from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Even without taking the immense impact of HIV/AIDS into account, there are various problems facing the' South African labour market. Specific problems discussed are unemployment, low productivity and a shortage of skills. These are not the only problems associated with the South African labour market, but the extent of these problems is further exacerbated by the impact of HIV/AIDS. All sectors of the society need to be mobilised into action. This action must encompass both prevention of the spread of the disease, as well as caring for the sick and dying. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen ander siekte in die moderne tyd het al soveel vrees en paniek geskep as MIV/VIGS nie ongetwyfeld een van die mees formidabele gemeenskapsgesondheidsprobleme wat Suid-Afrika huidiglik in die gesig staar. Oorspronklik was MIV/VIGS slegs met die werksplek geassosieer in terme van "hoë-risiko" beroepe soos dokters, tandartse en nood mediese personeel. Die naakte waarheid is dat MIV/VIGS 'n impak sal hê op alle sektore en aspekte van die samelewing in Suid-Afrika. As gevolg van die aard van die verspreiding van die siekte, tref dit hoofsaaklik seksueel aktiewe persone. Hierdie persone is die lewensaar van die arbeidsmag. Dit kan dus verwag word dat MIV/VIGS 'n direkte impak op werkverskaffingspatrone in Suid-Afrika sal hê. Die ekonomiese gevolge van die epidemie sal verdere druk veroorsaak op die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie, wat op sy beurt werkverskaffing sal beïnvloed. Buiten die impak van MIV/VIGS op die algemene bevolking, sal die siekte ook in verskeie areas van die besigheidsektor 'n uitwerking hê. Verder sal MIV/VIGS 'n aansienlike impak op gemeenskapsvlak hê, wat op sy beurt weer 'n uitwerking sal hê op besighede. As besighede in Suid-Afrika wil oorleef, moet hierdie aanslae so bestuur word dat produktiwiteit gehandhaaf word en kostes onder beheer gehou word. Die oogmerk van hierdie studie is om die impak van MIV/VIGS op werkverskaffing te ondersoek deur na die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark te kyk. Van die studie is dit duidelik dat Suid-Afrika ernstige konsekwensies as gevolg van die MIV/VIGS epidemie kan verwag. Selfs sonder om die ontsaglike impak van MIV/VIGS in ag te neem, is daar verskeie probleme wat die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark in die gesig staar. Spesifieke probleme wat bespreek word is werkloosheid, lae produktiwiteit en 'n tekort aan gespesialiseerde vaardighede. Alhoewel hierdie nie die enigste probleme is wat met die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark geassosieer word nie, word die spesifieke probleme vererger deur die impak van MIV/VIGS. Wat vereis word is dat alle sektore van die samelewing moet oorgaan tot aksie. Hierdie aksie moet beide die voorkoming van die verspreiding van die siekte, sowel as die versorging van die siekes en sterwendes omvat.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: National and international studies on the impact of the HIVand AIDS epidemie, create a picture of serious negative effects on the South African economy, together with immense suffering and despair for her people. The untimely death of millions of people due to a disease is totally unnatural and basically unimaginable and it is therefore not surprising that people, organisations and government tend to shy away from the problems. Businesses drive growth and development, mobilise investment, nurture innovation, provide employment, develop skills, pay taxes and provide returns to investors. Outside the political arena businesses is the only group that do have the capacity and resources to make a major and effective contribution to the fight against the HIV and AIDS epidemic. This study provides a theoretical introduction to HIV and AIDS but more importantly it indicates that the business world has woken up to the threat of the HIV and AIDS epidemic and are reacting to it. The study concludes that the battle is not won as yet. There is room for improvement and major enhancements are required to current strategies and programmes to make it more effective. Eskom was selected as the case study to substantiate the abovementioned opinions and conclusions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nasionale en internasionale studies oor die impak van die MIV en VIGS-epidemie dui op die ernstige negatiewe gevolge vir die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie. Dit veroorsaak ook geweldige lyding en wanhoop onder mense. Die ontydige dood van miljoene mense weens 'n siekte is heeltemal onnatuurlik en ondenkbaar. Dit is daarom geen wonder nie dat mense, organisasies en die regering daarvan wegskram. Sakeondernemings dryf groei en ontwikkeling, mobiliseer beleggingsmoontlikhede, moedig vernuwing aan, skep werkgeleenthede, ontwikkel vaardighede, betaal belasting en verskaf 'n opbrengs aan beleggers. Buite die politieke arena is sakeondernemings die enigste groep wat die kapasiteit en hulpbronne het om op grootskaal 'n doeltreffende bydrae te lewer tot die bekamping van die MIV en VIGS epidemie. Die studie is 'n teoretiese inleiding tot MIV en VIGS. Die belangrikste aspek wat na vore kom, is dat sakeondernemings wakker geskrik het oor die bedreiging van MIV en VIGS en dat hulle daarop reageer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die geveg nog nie gewen is nie. Daar is baie ruimte vir verbetering en grootskaalse veranderinge is nodig om die huidige strategieë en programme meer doeltreffend te maak. Eskom is as gevallestudie gebruik om bogenoemde menings en gevolgtrekkings te ondersteun.

With greater advancement in medical treatments for individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a growing numbers of individuals living with HIV/AIDS are contemplating returning to the workplace. However, they have been faced with barriers to employment and have demonstrated a need for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of employment outcomes of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, who used the state/federal VR program services, using the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) data file from Fiscal Year 2006. Data analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses (chi-square analyses, independent t-tests, and ANOVAs), and binary logistic regression using cross validation. Results of the study indicated that of socio-demographic, health, and VR service variables, service variables were only found to be significantly related to employment outcomes. Job search assistance, job placement assistance, and on the job support were found to be significant predictors of successful employment outcomes at closure. In addition, higher costs of purchased services increased the likelihood of being employed at closure. However, the longer the length of VR program participation was, the lower the likelihood of being employed at closure was. Among participants with successful employment outcomes at closure, differences were significant between participants earning less than $200.00 per week and participants earning equal to or higher than $500.00 per week. Participants with less than $200.00 of weekly earnings were more likely to be African Americans, to have lower education levels than an associate degree at closure, to have service occupations or clerical and sales occupations, and to receive SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare. On the other hand, participants with equal to or more than $500.00 weekly earnings were more likely to be White, to have higher education levels than an associate degree, and to have professional and managerial occupations and were less likely to receive SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare. In addition, they were more likely to receive assessment, VR counseling and guidance, college or university training, job search assistance, transportation, maintenance, and information and referral services compared to those with less than $200.00 weekly earnings. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are discussed. / text

Thesis (MComm) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, existing data were used to conduct a descriptive research study into the adherence or lack thereof - in varying degrees - of South African companies to the ten key principles of the International Labour Organisation's Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work with regard to HIV/AIDS workplace policy content. The research showed that most policies prohibit pre-employment testing and make provisions for job security, protection from discrimination, and ensuring confidentiality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die mate waartoe ondernemings hulle onderwerp aan die ILO voorskrifte te toets. Resultate toon daarop dat verskeie ondernemings reeds gedeeltelik daaraan voldoen, maar dat daar nog verskeie aspekte van die Kode is wat in Suid-Afrikaanse onderneming in werking gestel moet word.

No abstract available / Jurisprudence / LL.M.

The HIV and AIDS pandemic is arguably the greatest threat facing the world today. The pandemic has a far-reaching impact on society, including the workplace. The effect in the workplace is observed in various areas including a reduction in certain skills levels, mortality and declining job performance of employees living with HIV or AIDS. In addition, the fear of discrimination and stigmatisation prevents infected employees from disclosing their HIV status, thus driving the pandemic underground. Despite the potential negative impact that is looming, many employers still do not have any workplace support programmes in place to manage HIV and AIDS in their organisations. However, some employers have implemented workplace support programmes. This research thus explored the influence of workplace support programmes on the job performance of employees that were living with HIV or AIDS. The findings suggest that job performance is positively influenced where workplace support programmes have been implemented. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this research was to explore HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace, with a special focus on the stigmatised. The sample consisted of 10 HIV/AIDS positive employees. A qualitative interview schedule was designed. The interview guide was used to facilitate one-on-one interviews with each participant. An analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the participants were shunned by family, friends and partners. Others were too ashamed or afraid to reveal their positive status. The majority of the participants did not feel comfortable revealing their positive status to their line managers and to their co-workers. All participants felt that others viewed people living with HIV/AIDS as dirty and unclean and many had been exposed to stigmatising behaviours towards them due to their HIV/AIDS positive status. As a coping mechanism, most participants noted that they would walk away if stigmatised against. Recommendations were made to address HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisation Psychology)