The extent to which employers are implementing the Code of Good Practice on HIV/AIDS, as it relates to the Employment Equity and Labour Relations Acts

Abstract

This research was conducted on the extent to which employers believe they are implementing the Code of Good Practice on Key Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Employment (hereafter referred to as the Code of Good Practice). The motivation for the study arose as a result of the seriousness and prevalence of HIV/ AIDS within the working population, as well as the lack of knowledge as to what employers are doing to address this issue within the world of work. An exploratory research design was used to evaluate the extent to which employers believe they are implementing to Code of Good Practice. A quantitative approach was used. A literature study examined the history of HIV/ AIDS, the definitions describing the pandemic and the social and legal aspects linked to the disease. For research purposes, a sample of twenty employers was purposefully chosen by the researcher. The questionnaire was completed by a representative of the aforementioned employers. The data was analysed and a comparison was drawn between the literature study and the empirical findings. Conclusions and recommendations for future research were formulated as a result of the study. The findings of the study included, among other, that all employers experience risks related to discrimination against people who are HIV positive. The study also found that the majority of the employers had no practical measures in place to prevent this kind of discrimination. The study was limited in focus to the Code of Good Practice and it is recommended that a bigger sample is needed to have a holistic view of the HIV/AIDS phenomena within the world of work in South Africa.