CHENNAI: Do I tell people that I am HIV+? Will I lose my job? Will people stop talking to me? This is a dilemma suffered by most HIV+ people. Disclosing their HIV status at work is still something that not many can do. For Shankar(34), an IT professional, who has been a HIV affected person for the past decade, disclosing his status is not an option. “If I do, my career will be greatly affected, I might lose my job and my colleagues might stop talking to me. Some day, I hope there is enough awareness so that people accept our status at work. Till then, for fear of discrimination, I have to hide my status.” Susamma Varghese, National Programme Manager, ILO, Chennai, said, “Stigma discrimination has no place in decent organisations. Though there is an ILO Tripartite Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS, we do not know how far it is being followed."Nevertheless, Daisy is one of the very few lucky ones, who has disclosed her HIV status at work and still enjoys a conducive work climate. She works with World Vision as an HIV Advocacy professional. “They already knew I was HIV+ when they made the offer. Though I was thrilled that I am getting a job for my skills, I was equally apprehensive. But I found a very welcoming climate, where I was treated as an equal. In these three plus years, I have never been discriminated against.” Having lived with HIV for the past 13 years, she recalls, “When people at work fight to eat from my tiffin box,I know I have been completely accepted.”Most times, HIV+ people find employment only in HIV+ Networks who work for the cause of those affected with the virus. World Vision is one of the few organisations that have a policy of non discrimation. Dr Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision said, “As an organisation, we believe in non-discrimination. Daisy as an individual has brought in strength and passion to our organisation.”Sarojitha, Daisy's colleague said, “We treat Daisy like everyone else.”
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