Discrimination against People with HIV at Work Narrative Essay

A salesman representative is terminated from his job when he was diagnosed as HIV positive. He was about to complete the six months requirement in order to become a regular employee but he was terminated under the dubious excuse of “grave misconduct”. But the real cause of his termination is his health condition, specifically, being positive on HIV or AIDS. The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, more commonly known as AIDS, is caused by the HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus impairs the body’s defenses or immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to various serious and fatal illnesses (“AIDS and the Workplace”, 1992).
People with HIV infection are living like normal people. They are able to perform well in their community and in their workplace environment. But still, discrimination against people with HIV is still prevalent in some areas, especially in the workplace. The United Nations campaigns for the ban of prejudice against people with HIV/AIDS. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for worldwide efforts in battling not only the disease but the discrimination that is also widespread (“Ban urges end to Prejudice against People Living with HIV/AIDS”, 2008).
Companies should address issues that are related to HIV/AIDS by enhancing a non-discriminatory workplace environment and by providing education regarding the frequently asked questions on AIDS. For the workplace environment that has an increased risk in blood exchange, the company should apply a control program in order to monitor and regulate the activities in the workplace (“AIDS and the Workplace”, 1992). People infected with HIV have the capacity to live normally in the society. And as such, we must not deprive the infected people with AIDS to do their tasks and participate and socialize with the other members of the society.