1. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info BLUEPRINT FOR BUSINESS ACTION ON HIV/AIDS WORKPLACE POLICY Rose Kumwenda Program Director, Malawi Business Coalition ICASA 2005 Abuja,Nigeria.

2. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Introduction  A policy is a critical component of the building blocks for responding to HIV/AIDS in the workplace  It is a public statement of the organizations position  Creates the foundation for subsequent activities or workplace responses

3. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Why a policy ?  Ensures consistency with appropriate national laws or legislations  Lays down a standard of behavior for the employer and employees  Helps employees living with HIV and AIDS to understand what care and support they will receive from their employer if they go for VCT and disclose their status  Guides the employer, supervisors and managers in planning and managing the impact and ultimately saving money

4. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Respond to HIV/AIDS in the workplace  Identify HIV as a problem for your workplace  Clarity on the HIV problems to be addressed  Buy in of Management, worker representative and the workers  Commitment from executive management to support, allocate time and resources.

5. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info When developing a workplace policy  Top management leadership and commitment  Identification of a team leader and a team to facilitate policy development  Understanding how HIV/AIDS is affecting the organisation,who is affected most, factors increasing their vulnerability and how?

6. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Steps to follow Step 1: Problem identification, awareness, buy in, commitment and leadership by top management, employees and their representatives Step 2: Identification of a team leader and election of a committee Step 3: Assessing the current HIV situation in the work setting and finding out how HIV is affecting the organization Step 4: Analyzing and Synthesizing of information Step 5:Drafting of the policy

7. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Steps to follow Step 6: Reviewing the draft policy Step 7: Refining and getting the policy approved Step 8: Developing a policy implementation plan with a budget Step 9: Dissemination and execution of the policy Step10: Monitor, review and revise the policy

8. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info Conclusion  Policy is a statement of intent  Must be put into practice and mainstreamed in the core business of the organization  The policy implementation plan must ensure that it covers, prevention, treatment, care and support  The starting point of implementation is prevention.

9. Downloaded from http://www.hiv-msd.infohttp://www.hiv-msd.info THANK YOU !