The objective of this study was to: (1) assess the overall wellness climate profile of a sample of higher education call centre employees for national benchmarking purposes; (2) explore the relationship between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout; and (3) determine how the participants differ regarding these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, age, and marital status. The South African Employee Health and Wellness Survey was used as a measuring instrument. Compared to the national norm, the results indicated a risky wellness climate reflecting a burnout propensity, lower morale (affective wellbeing) and lower resilience (sense of coherence). Significant relations existed between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout levels. Significant differences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females and the various marital status groups regarding the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout. The findings of this study contributed new knowledge that may be used to inform employee wellness programmes within a higher education call centre environment. The study concluded with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

A exposição a tintas, as quais contêm solventes orgânicos e metais, pode levar a danos no DNA e formação de espécies reativas (ER), que podem lesar diversas classes de moléculas. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar possíveis danos oxidativos, genotóxicos e mutagênicos em 33 indivíduos, do sexo masculino, ocupacionalmente expostos a tintas há, no mínimo, 6 meses. Para o grupo controle, foram selecionados 29 indivíduos saudáveis, não expostos a tintas, pareados em idade com o grupo exposto. A fim de verificar a influência do descanso do fim de semana, foram realizadas coletas na segunda-feira pela manhã e na sexta-feira ao final da jornada de trabalho. Os danos oxidativos foram avaliados pelos produtos de reação com o ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), proteínas carboniladas (PC) e atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (Sod) e catalase (Cat). Foram medidos, ainda, o ácido hipúrico (AH) e o ácido deltaaminolevulínico (ALA), marcadores urinários de exposição ao tolueno e ao chumbo, respectivamente. A genotoxicidade foi avaliada pelo ensaio cometa (em sangue periférico) e pelo teste de micronúcleos (MN) (em linfócitos e células da mucosa bucal). Não foi observado aumento significativo nos níveis de TBARS no grupo exposto quando comparado ao grupo controle. Entretanto, verificou-se, neste grupo, um maior índice de danos aos lipídeos nas amostras coletadas na sexta-feira comparado com as amostras coletadas na segunda-feira (p = 0,008; z = -2,637). Ao final da semana (amostras coletadas na sexta-feira), os indivíduos expostos a tintas apresentaram mais danos às proteínas em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,032; z = -2,14). Observou-se também, que os trabalhadores expostos a tintas tiveram uma diminuição nas atividades de Sod (p = 0,003; z = 2,935) e Cat (p = 0,025; z = -2,247) nas amostras de segunda-feira, bem como valores mais elevados de AH (p = 0,010; z = - 2,591) e de ALA (p = 0,000; z = -4,487). A exposição a tintas induziu um aumento significativo dos danos ao DNA (principalmente classes um e dois), tanto nas amostras coletadas na segunda (p = 0,000; z = - 5,356) quanto nas de sexta-feira (p = 0,000; z = -6,456). Apesar de não ter sido encontrado um aumento na frequência de MN em linfócitos ou em células da mucosa bucal no grupo exposto, observou-se um aumento de nuclear buds (NBUDs) (segunda-feira, p = 0,004, z = - 2,894), uma diminuição do índice de divisão nuclear (IDN) (sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,78) nos linfócitos e um aumento na frequência de células com cromatina condensada nas células da mucosa bucal (segunda-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,503; sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -5,203), indicativo de amplificação gênica e indução de mecanismos apoptóticos nestas células. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre o índice de danos no DNA (ensaio cometa) e o tempo de exposição a tintas (r = 0,376; p = 0,031), assim como entre o tempo diário de exposição a tintas e a frequência de micronúcleos (segunda-feira, r = 0,450; p = 0,018) e de NBUDs (sexta-feira, (r = 0,402; p = 0,038) nos indivíduos expostos. Embora outros estudos sejam necessários, esses resultados mostram que a exposição ocupacional a tintas pode induzir um aumento de danos no DNA, os quais parecem estar sendo reparados durante o descanso do final de semana. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-29T19:53:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Carina Cassini.pdf: 626115 bytes, checksum: 4477a810de80e2c9702e22c8302fba89 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-29T19:53:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Carina Cassini.pdf: 626115 bytes, checksum: 4477a810de80e2c9702e22c8302fba89 (MD5) / Organic solvents and metals, widely used in paints, can lead to DNA damages and reactives species (RS) generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate possibles oxidative, genotoxic and mutagenic damages in 33 male workers exposed for at least six months to paint. To constitute the control group 29 healthy individuals were choosen, without paint exposure, which matched in age with exposed group. Two sampling were performed to verify a possible DNA repair during the weekend: in the beginning and at the end of work week. The oxidative damages were evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reaction products (TBARS), carbonylated proteins (CP), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) activities. Hippuric acid (HA) and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were used as toluene and lead markers exposure, respectively. The genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay (in peripherical blood) and by micronucleus (MN) test (in limphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells). The results showed no significant increase in TBARS levels in exposed group in relation to the control group. However, the lipidic damages was higher in Friday samples comparing to Monday samples (p = 0.008; z = -2.637). The proteins damage was higher in exposed group in comparison to control group exclusively in Friday samples (p = 0.032; z = -2.14). It was also observed that the workers exposed to paints showed lower Sod (p = 0.003; z = 2.935) and Cat (p = 0.025; z = -2.247) activities in Monday samples. The exposed group presented HA levels (p = 0.010; z = - 2.591) and ALA levels (p = 0.000; z = -4.487) higher than the control group. The workers exposed to paints presented a significant increase in DNA damage in both Monday (p = 0.000; z = -5.356) and Friday (p = 0.000; z = -6.456) samples. No increase was observed in MN frequency in limphocytes and buccal cells. However, the individuals exposed to paints showed an increase in nuclear buds (NBUDS) (Monday samples, p = 0.004, z = -2.894), a reduction in nuclear division index (NDI) (Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.78) in lymphocytes and an increase in condensed chromatin frequency in buccal cells (Monday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.503; Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -5.203), indicating genic amplification and apoptosis induction. The DNA damage index (comet assay) correlated positively with average working time (r = 0.376; p = 0.031). It was also observed a positive correlation between time daily exposure and MN (Monday samples, r = 0.450; p = 0.018) and NBUDs (Friday samples: r = 0.402; p = 0.038) frequency. These results showed that paint exposure is able to generate DNA damages and these damages are being repaired during the weekend.

A exposição a tintas, as quais contêm solventes orgânicos e metais, pode levar a danos no DNA e formação de espécies reativas (ER), que podem lesar diversas classes de moléculas. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar possíveis danos oxidativos, genotóxicos e mutagênicos em 33 indivíduos, do sexo masculino, ocupacionalmente expostos a tintas há, no mínimo, 6 meses. Para o grupo controle, foram selecionados 29 indivíduos saudáveis, não expostos a tintas, pareados em idade com o grupo exposto. A fim de verificar a influência do descanso do fim de semana, foram realizadas coletas na segunda-feira pela manhã e na sexta-feira ao final da jornada de trabalho. Os danos oxidativos foram avaliados pelos produtos de reação com o ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), proteínas carboniladas (PC) e atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (Sod) e catalase (Cat). Foram medidos, ainda, o ácido hipúrico (AH) e o ácido deltaaminolevulínico (ALA), marcadores urinários de exposição ao tolueno e ao chumbo, respectivamente. A genotoxicidade foi avaliada pelo ensaio cometa (em sangue periférico) e pelo teste de micronúcleos (MN) (em linfócitos e células da mucosa bucal). Não foi observado aumento significativo nos níveis de TBARS no grupo exposto quando comparado ao grupo controle. Entretanto, verificou-se, neste grupo, um maior índice de danos aos lipídeos nas amostras coletadas na sexta-feira comparado com as amostras coletadas na segunda-feira (p = 0,008; z = -2,637). Ao final da semana (amostras coletadas na sexta-feira), os indivíduos expostos a tintas apresentaram mais danos às proteínas em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,032; z = -2,14). Observou-se também, que os trabalhadores expostos a tintas tiveram uma diminuição nas atividades de Sod (p = 0,003; z = 2,935) e Cat (p = 0,025; z = -2,247) nas amostras de segunda-feira, bem como valores mais elevados de AH (p = 0,010; z = - 2,591) e de ALA (p = 0,000; z = -4,487). A exposição a tintas induziu um aumento significativo dos danos ao DNA (principalmente classes um e dois), tanto nas amostras coletadas na segunda (p = 0,000; z = - 5,356) quanto nas de sexta-feira (p = 0,000; z = -6,456). Apesar de não ter sido encontrado um aumento na frequência de MN em linfócitos ou em células da mucosa bucal no grupo exposto, observou-se um aumento de nuclear buds (NBUDs) (segunda-feira, p = 0,004, z = - 2,894), uma diminuição do índice de divisão nuclear (IDN) (sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,78) nos linfócitos e um aumento na frequência de células com cromatina condensada nas células da mucosa bucal (segunda-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,503; sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -5,203), indicativo de amplificação gênica e indução de mecanismos apoptóticos nestas células. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre o índice de danos no DNA (ensaio cometa) e o tempo de exposição a tintas (r = 0,376; p = 0,031), assim como entre o tempo diário de exposição a tintas e a frequência de micronúcleos (segunda-feira, r = 0,450; p = 0,018) e de NBUDs (sexta-feira, (r = 0,402; p = 0,038) nos indivíduos expostos. Embora outros estudos sejam necessários, esses resultados mostram que a exposição ocupacional a tintas pode induzir um aumento de danos no DNA, os quais parecem estar sendo reparados durante o descanso do final de semana. / Organic solvents and metals, widely used in paints, can lead to DNA damages and reactives species (RS) generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate possibles oxidative, genotoxic and mutagenic damages in 33 male workers exposed for at least six months to paint. To constitute the control group 29 healthy individuals were choosen, without paint exposure, which matched in age with exposed group. Two sampling were performed to verify a possible DNA repair during the weekend: in the beginning and at the end of work week. The oxidative damages were evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reaction products (TBARS), carbonylated proteins (CP), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) activities. Hippuric acid (HA) and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were used as toluene and lead markers exposure, respectively. The genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay (in peripherical blood) and by micronucleus (MN) test (in limphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells). The results showed no significant increase in TBARS levels in exposed group in relation to the control group. However, the lipidic damages was higher in Friday samples comparing to Monday samples (p = 0.008; z = -2.637). The proteins damage was higher in exposed group in comparison to control group exclusively in Friday samples (p = 0.032; z = -2.14). It was also observed that the workers exposed to paints showed lower Sod (p = 0.003; z = 2.935) and Cat (p = 0.025; z = -2.247) activities in Monday samples. The exposed group presented HA levels (p = 0.010; z = - 2.591) and ALA levels (p = 0.000; z = -4.487) higher than the control group. The workers exposed to paints presented a significant increase in DNA damage in both Monday (p = 0.000; z = -5.356) and Friday (p = 0.000; z = -6.456) samples. No increase was observed in MN frequency in limphocytes and buccal cells. However, the individuals exposed to paints showed an increase in nuclear buds (NBUDS) (Monday samples, p = 0.004, z = -2.894), a reduction in nuclear division index (NDI) (Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.78) in lymphocytes and an increase in condensed chromatin frequency in buccal cells (Monday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.503; Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -5.203), indicating genic amplification and apoptosis induction. The DNA damage index (comet assay) correlated positively with average working time (r = 0.376; p = 0.031). It was also observed a positive correlation between time daily exposure and MN (Monday samples, r = 0.450; p = 0.018) and NBUDs (Friday samples: r = 0.402; p = 0.038) frequency. These results showed that paint exposure is able to generate DNA damages and these damages are being repaired during the weekend.

South African hospitals, as a result of numerous factors, have the problem of an increasing workload for nursing staff, which in turn may affect patient treatment quality. This project aimed at addressing patient treatment quality specifically from the perspective of worker capabilities by investigating the strain level and predicted human error probability associated with specific patient-centered tasks in the South African health care sector. This was achieved through two independent yet interlinked studies which focused on seven patient-centred tasks. The tasks analysed were the tasks of setting up and changing intravenous medication, administering injection and pill medication, measuring blood glucose, temperature and heart rate and blood pressure. In the first study, work environment and task characteristics, task structure and execution were analysed. In addition to the task execution, the resulting strain levels, in the form of heart rate measures and subjective ratings of workload, were studied. The second study determined the error protocols and predictive error probability within the healthcare environment for the seven pre-defined tasks. The results for the first study established that different organizational and environment factors could affect task complexity and workload. The individual task components and information processing requirements for each task was also established. For the strain analysis, significant results for the tasks were determined for heart rate frequency and the heart rate variability measures, but some of these were contradictory. For the second study, specific error protocols and error reporting data were determined for the hospital where this research was conducted. Additionally the predictive error probability for the pre-defined tasks was determined. This combined approach and collective results indicate that strain and predictive error probability as a result of task workload can be determined in the field as well as being able to identify which factors have an effect on task strain and error probability. The value of this research lies in the foundation that the gathered information provides and the numerous potential applications of this data. These applications include providing recommendations aimed at improving nursing work environment with regards to workload, improving patient treatment as a result of a reduction in errors and the potential foundation these results provide for future research

Thesis (M. Com. (Accounting)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Sustainability reporting (SR) in South Africa is on a ‘report and explain’ basis because the King IV Code has not made it mandatory for all companies operating but only for those companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It has become difficult to align SR with stakeholder value creation. This study examines the relationship between SR and stakeholder value creation represented by employees’ health and occupational safety, return on assets, community projects and green investments. The study used a quantitative method that utilises the multiple regressions method to analyse data from selected manufacturing companies for 11 years (2007-2017) listed at South African Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE). The study measures the relationship between employees’ health and occupational safety, investment in community projects, green investments and ROA. Results show insignificant relationships between employees’ health and occupational safety and ROA, investment in community projects and ROA and green investments and ROA. The study recommends future research on all sectors or inter-country research on sustainability reporting and stakeholder value creation. Keywords: sustainability, sustainability reporting, stakeholder value creation, employees’ health, occupational safety, community projects, green investments, return on assets.

The purpose of this study was to find out problems encountered by Foskor Mine workers in Phalaborwa with the use of personal protective equipment and also to find out how these problems can be prevented or solved. A quantitative research study was done using a questionnaire as a data gathering tool on workers who are exposed to occupational injuries and illnesses and who use personal protective equipment for their protection. The findings revealed that even though workers were using personal protective equipment they still got occupational injuries and illnesses. They also had problems with their protective equipment like incompatible types of personal protective equipment, such as weight where heavy personal protective equipment like boots were issued and very hot or cold personal protective equipment incompatible with the temperature of the environment. Some personal protective equipment like gloves were of a wrong size and caused allergy. In some instances unavailability of or unsuitable personal protective equipment posed challenges to these workers. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

This case study explored the occupational stress stimuli perceived and / or experienced by employees in a small Gauteng based manufacturing Company. The research was aimed at assisting the Company‟s management to devise and implement strategies to prevent and/or reduce stress and its consequences. The key theoretical concept is that employees who are frequently exposed to stress stimuli within a work environment can incur stress. In turn, the consequences of stress (i.e. stress related illnesses) can be harmful to employees as well as to the organisations at which they work. The starting point for preventing the debilitating consequences of stress is to explore whether stress stimuli are prevailing within a workplace and also to discover the types of stress stimuli that may exist. Once this is known the Company‟s management team can implement stress reduction and prevention interventions to mitigate undesirable consequences of stress stimuli in the working environment. This research was done by means of a qualitative case study using one organisation and a number of sources of data. The Researcher made use of secondary data which were qualitatively analysed. As a result of the research the Researcher was able to discover a broad range of workplace stress stimuli in the workplace. This will assist the participating Company's management team to devise and implement plans/strategies to prevent and/or reduce stress and its consequences. This study also lays a foundation for future research to take place, specifically regarding the development and implementation of stress reduction and prevention measures within an occupational environment. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

The key objective of this study was to determine the relationship between burnout (measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)), work engagement (measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale), and sense of coherence (measured by the Orientation of Life Questionnaire developed by Antonovsky (1987)). A quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey research design was conducted on a randomly selected sample (N = 178) of nurses at a central hospital in Kwa-Zulu Natal. A theoretical relationship was established between the variables. The empirical relationship revealed statistically significant negative relationship between burnout and work engagement. A statistically significant negative relationship was also established between burnout and SOC. The findings add valuable knowledge to industrial and organisational psychology and can be applied to promote employee and organisational wellness. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For many companies, health care can consume half of corporate profits or more. Some employers look to cost sharing, cost shifting, managed care plans, risk rating and cash based rebates or incentives. These methods merely shift costs. Absenteeism in South Africa claims 3.2% of all scheduled work hours, 43 000 work hours per week, 9 days lost per employee per year and 1 employee in every 15 on a weekly basis. The main objective of this study was to establish the effect of a physical wellness intervention on the chronic absenteeism of a governmental company like Eskom. Fiftyfour males with a mean age of 42.13 years, participated in the program. Morphological and physiological variables included fat percentage; body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure (BP), flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, waist circumference and muscle endurance. The participants were divided into four groups consisting of 12-15 individuals. Data was collected over a period of six months (March-August 2001). There were six sessions in which the subjects participated namely: wellness awareness, general body wellness, heart wellness, stress wellness, posture wellness and nutritional wellness. These sessions focussed on education, testing and physical activity, with follow-ups and maintenance at the Biokinetic rehabilitation station. Trends for the group were traced using a statistical analysis for absenteeism tallying the GSAR (gross sickness absentee rate) and AFR (absentee frequency rate) for the participants. The GSAR and AFR were significantly lower during the intervention. The return of investment was calculated based on the amount of hours worked per month on the August 2001 payroll, where the increment figure is based on an average increase of 7.9%. The result of the study concluded that work-site body wellness is health care reform that works, with absenteeism decreasing significantly and an improved employee health status. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Baie maatskappye kan die helfte of meer van hul wins aan gesondheidsorg spandeer. Sommige werkgewers oorweeg kostedeling, verskuiwing van kostes, gesondheidsorgplanne, risikobepaling en kontantkortings of aansporings. Hierdie metodes skuif eerder net koste. In Suid-Afrika word 3.2% van alle geskeduleerde werksure as gevolg van afwesigheid verloor, 43 000 werksure per week, 9 dae per werknemer per jaar en 1 werknemer uit elke 15 op 'n weeklikse basis. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om die effek van 'n fisieke welstand intervensie op die chroniese afwesigheid van 'n parastatale maatskappy soos Eskom daar te stel. Vier en vyftig mans met 'n gemiddelde ouderdom van 42.13 jaar het aan die program deelgeneem. Morfologiese en fisiologiese veranderlikes het vetpersentasie; liggaamsmass-indeks (LMI), cholesterol, bloeddruk (BD), soepelheid, kardiovaskulêre uithouvermoë, abdominale omtrek en spieruithouvermoë ingesluit. Die deelnemers is in vier groepe verdeel wat uit 12-15 persone bestaan het. Data is oor 'n periode van ses maande ingesamel (Maart-Augustus 2001). Die deelnemers het aan die volgende ses sessies deelgeneem: bewustheid van welstand, algemene liggaamlike welstand, hartwelstand, streswelstand, postuurwelstand en dieetwelstand. Hierdie sessies het op die opvoeding, toetsing en fisieke aktiwiteit gefokus met opvolg-ondersoeke en instandhouding by die Biokinetika rehabilitasiestasie. Neigings vir die groep is opgevolg deur statistiese analise vir afwesigheid deur die TSAS (totale siekte afwesigheidsyfer) en AFS (afwesigheidsfrekwensiesyfer) vir die deelnemers aan te teken. Die TSAS en AFS was beduidend laer tydens die intervensie. Die beleggingsopbrengs is bereken op die aantal ure per maand op die Augustus 2001 . betaalstaat met die toenamesyfer gebaseer op die gemiddelde verhoging van 7.9%. Die resultaat van die studie is dat liggaamlike welstand by die werksplek voordelig is vir gesondheidsorgverbetering en dat afwesigheid beduidend afneem terwyl daar ook 'n verbetering in die gesondheidstatus van werknemers was.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Menslike immuungebrekvirus (MIV) en Verworwe immuniteitsgebrek sindroom (VIGS) is een van die grootste uitdagings waarvoor werkgewers vandag te staan kom, en behoort die stukrag te wees vir ’n deeglike ondersoek om die voorkoms van hierdie toestand in die werkplek so akkuraat as moontlik te bepaal. So ’n ondersoek kan lig werp op toekomstige demografiese arbeidsmagtendense en verwante koste, byvoorbeeld verlies aan produktiwiteit en dienslewering weens afwesigheid, ’n toename in aftredes, en stygende sieke- en pensioenfondseise wat waarskynlik ingedien sal word. Daarbenewens kan so ’n ondersoek die werkgewer in staat stel om noukeuriger vir die toekoms te beplan, vanuit die oogpunt van finansies sowel as menslike hulpbronne. Daar is egter ’n neiging by werkgewers om MIV/VIGS steeds as ’n maatskaplike of samelewingsprobleem eerder as ’n besigheidspesifieke risiko te beskou. Onkunde is meestal die rede hiervoor. Werkgewers neig om weg te skram van direkte risikobestuur, dikwels met die argument dat dit die regering se plig is om MIV/VIGS-opleiding en gesondheidsorg te voorsien. Sodoende word die bestaande verhouding van ‘ekwilibriumkonvergensie’ tussen die staat, sakesektor en arbeid verydel. MIV/VIGS moet soos ander groot geïdentifiseerde sakerisiko’s beskou, gemeet en proaktief bestuur word, net soos met wisselkoers wisselvalligheid, politieke en infrastrukturele risiko’s, en persoonlike en batesekuriteit. Hoewel hierdie risikofaktore dwarsoor die wêreld bestaan, en sommiges in ander wêrelddele groter is, het hul gekombineerde uitwerking veral in Suider-Afrika ernstige implikasies vir investering en die koste om hier sake te doen. Soos alle ander sakerisiko’s moet die hantering daarvan multidimensioneel wees: • Identifiseer, meet en bestuur die risiko; plaas MIV/VIGS eerste op die direksie se agenda. • Stel senior beamptes aan om die risiko te bestuur. • Evalueer bestuurstrukture en intervensie stappe gereeld. • MIV/VIGS opleiding is die sleutel, vir bestuurslede sowel as werknemers. Risikobestuur moet holisties wees. So byvoorbeeld is dit nutteloos om gesondheidsorg sonder proaktiewe pasiëntebestuur te voorsien. En net soos wat behandelingsplanne sonder befondsing sinloos is, is dit futiel om goed befondsde voordeelplanne te skep as behandeling nie toeganklik is nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die proses wat Old Mutual (SA) gevolg het om die voorkoms van MIV onder sy 13 000 permanente werknemers landwyd te eksploreer. Die statistiese uitkoms sal dan gebruik word om te bepaal of Old Mutual (SA) wel sy doelwitte in terme van werknemersgelykheid sal bereik en behou, gegewe die MIV/VIGS pandemie. Vooruitskouings oor die implikasies van MIV/VIGS vir Old Mutual (SA) moet met die nodige omsigtigheid benader word, alhoewel hierdie studie aandui dat dit moontlik implikasies kan inhou vir werkverskaffing in die toekoms, gegewe die wetlike vereistes vir die verskeie aangewese groepe. MIV/VIGS lei nie net tot siekte, ongeskiktheid en dood onder Old Mutual (SA) se werknemers nie. Tesame met ernstige ekonomiese en emosionele ontwrigting vir hul gesinne, verhoog dit ook die koste om in Suid-Afrika sake te doen. Hierdie koste sluit die volgende in: • verhoogde gesondheidsorgkoste; • meer eise vir aftree-, pensioen- en doodsvoordele; • laer produktiwiteit namate afwesigheid van die werk styg weens siekte, hetsy eie of siek familielede na wie omgesien moet word; en • verhoogde koste vir personeelwerwing, arbeidsomset en opleiding weens die verlies van ervare personeel. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: 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. Furthermore, this investigation could enable the employer to plan better for the future – both from a financial and human resources viewpoint. In the ‘real’ world though, employers still perceive HIV/AIDS as a social or community problem rather than a business specific risk. Employers, largely through ignorance, tend to shy away from direct risk management – often using the argument that it is the government’s responsibility to provide HIV/AIDS education and healthcare. In this way they nullify the existing ‘equilibrium convergence’ relationship between the state, business and labour. HIV/AIDS must be measured and proactively managed and should be regarded in the same light as other major identified business risks, e.g. personal and asset security, exchange rate volatility, and political and infrastructure risks. While it is true that all of these particular risk factors exist across the globe, and may be greater in other parts of the world, nowhere else do they seem to combine with such severe implications to deter investment and raise the cost of doing business than in Southern Africa. As for any other business risk, 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. Risk management should be holistic. For example, providing healthcare without proactive patient management is pointless. Similarly, treatment plans without funding are futile, and well-funded benefit plans without practical access to treatment are a waste of time. The aim of this study is to explore the process Old Mutual (SA) followed in estimating the HIV prevalence among its 13 000 permanent employees nationally. The resultant statistics would then be used to project whether or not Old Mutual (SA) will be able to achieve and sustain its employment equity targets, given the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Predictions on the implications of HIV/AIDS for Old Mutual (SA) should be approached with due caution, although this study suggests that it could probably seriously impact on shortages in the supply of labour in future, given the legislative requirements for the various designated groupings. HIV/AIDS not only causes illness, disability and death among Old Mutual (SA) employees, coupled with severe economic and emotional disruption for their families, it also increases the cost of doing business in South Africa. These costs include: • increased healthcare expenses; • increased retirement, pension and death benefit claims; • decreased productivity as worker absenteeism rises owing to personal illness, or absence from work to care for sick relatives; and • increased recruitment, labour turnover and training costs due to loss of experienced workers.