The impact of reasonable accommodation on HIV/AIDS in the workplace

Abstract

In South Africa HIV/AIDS has had a great negative impact on both private and state enterprises. Its effect is felt most strongly in South African companies. HIV/ AIDS has added greatly to expenditure in companies in relation to human resource management. This research shows that absenteeism, conflict, insurance, and medical claims are escalating because of HIV/AIDS. The reason is that the number of HIV/AIDS infected staff is increasing at an alarming rate. The study was explanatory and quantitative in nature. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. Probability sampling was used to select a sample from employees at Eskom Mafikeng, Mafikeng in the Republic of South Africa. The study identified that HIV/AIDS has been one of the mam causes of increased expenditure at Eskom Mafikeng because of absenteeism, insurance, medical claims, and staff-management relationship problems. Hence, the need to implement reasonable accommodation programmes for HIV/AIDS infected staff to utilize the infected staff effectively, productively and profitably, until they reach the disability stage. HIV/AIDS prevention programmes were found to be of benefit to the company and family members of the infected workforce.