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- HIV/AIDS Workplace Management Training (1 day)
HIV/AIDS Workplace Management Training (1 day)
Managers and staff who understand HIV, AIDS and other serious illnesses, treat affected colleagues fairly and know how to manage the impact on the team.
HIV, TB and other serious illnesses still affect South African workplaces every day – through absence, reduced capacity, grief and, too often, stigma and gossip. Many managers are unsure what they may ask, what they must keep confidential and how to adjust work without treating someone unfairly. This one-day HIV/AIDS workplace training gives managers and staff accurate facts and a practical way to respond.
The morning covers the medical basics in plain language: how HIV affects the immune system, how it is and is not transmitted, what treatment means for a working life today, and the links with TB and other dread diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The afternoon turns to the workplace: the rules on non-discrimination, HIV testing and confidentiality under the Employment Equity Act, the Code of Good Practice on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work, and the protection of health information under POPIA, all explained as general guidance and not legal advice.
Delegates then look at what employers and employees each contribute to a workplace programme, and work through realistic scenarios: a disclosure, a long illness, a colleague who refuses to work with someone, and absence that affects the whole team. They leave knowing how to respond fairly and where to find support.
Why this course
For your organisation
- A workplace free of unfair discrimination on the basis of HIV status or illness
- Managers who handle disclosures and health information confidentially
- Fair, consistent handling of illness-related absence and incapacity
- Less stigma, gossip and conflict within teams
- A clear picture of what your wellness or HIV programme should include
For your delegates
- Accurate, current facts about HIV, AIDS and TB
- Confidence to respond correctly to a disclosure
- Knowledge of where employees can find treatment and support
- Practical ways to support colleagues without breaching their privacy
What delegates will be able to do
- Explain how HIV affects the immune system and how HIV differs from AIDS
- Distinguish between behaviour that carries a risk of HIV transmission and behaviour that does not
- Apply basic universal precautions when dealing with blood or injuries at work
- Recognise the impact of HIV, TB and other serious illnesses on a team and its output
- Respond to a disclosure in a way that protects confidentiality and the employee's dignity
- Identify unfair discrimination related to HIV status and act to prevent it
- Describe the roles of the employer and the employee in a workplace HIV and wellness programme
- Manage illness-related absence and reduced capacity fairly and consistently
Who should attend
Managers, supervisors and team leaders, HR and wellness staff, health and safety representatives, first-aiders and peer educators. The course also works as an awareness session for all employees, with the emphasis adjusted to the group.
Course outline
Day 1 – HIV, AIDS and serious illness in the workplace
HIV and AIDS: the facts
- What HIV is and how it attacks the immune system
- The difference between HIV and AIDS
- Testing, treatment and a full working life on antiretroviral therapy
- HIV and TB: why the two are linked
- Common myths and why they persist
Transmission and risk
- How HIV is transmitted, and how it is not
- Safe and risky behaviour
- Universal precautions and first aid at work
- Occupational exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis
- Quiz: fact or myth
Dread diseases and the team
- TB, cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes at work
- Effects on attendance, output, morale and costs
- Recognising when a team member may need support
- Grief and bereavement in the team
The law, non-discrimination and confidentiality
- Unfair discrimination on HIV status under the Employment Equity Act
- HIV testing at work: what is and is not allowed
- The Code of Good Practice on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work
- Health information as special personal information under POPIA
- Incapacity due to ill health: a fair process, as general guidance and not legal advice
Workplace programmes and support
- The employer's role: policy, awareness, wellness and reasonable accommodation
- The employee's responsibilities
- Employee assistance programmes, medical aid and public health services
- Peer educators and awareness campaigns
Managing the effects in your unit
- Responding to a disclosure
- Adjusting duties and hours fairly
- Dealing with stigma and colleagues who refuse to work with someone
- Scenarios and group discussion
- Personal action plan and close
How it is delivered
One day, 08:30-16:00. In person at your offices anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online. One delegate or a group of up to 20; examples can be adapted to your sector, wellness programme and policies. Workbook and a quick-reference guide included. We deliver it at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and anywhere else in South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online for teams in different places.
What our clients say
★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 790+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses
“What stood out most was the facilitator’s deep subject matter expertise and the highly interactive nature of the sessions. The face-to-face format fostered active participation, encouraged meaningful collaboration, and allowed for immediate feedback”
“We are highly satisfied with the quality of delivery and the professionalism demonstrated by your facilitator. The course content was structured perfectly to meet our needs, keeping our team fully engaged throughout the session.”
“We were highly impressed by the high caliber of the training provided. The facilitator demonstrated a deep level of expertise that added significant value to the sessions.”
Frequently asked questions
Can you run this course at our offices?
Yes. Most groups are trained at the client's premises anywhere in South Africa; we can also host it at a BOTI venue or deliver it live online.
How many people can attend?
From one delegate to groups of 20. The price per delegate drops as the group grows – see the price table, or ask us for a quote.
Is it accredited?
No – this one-day workshop is a non-accredited short course and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Can it be run for all staff rather than managers only?
Yes. For a general staff group we put more weight on the facts, prevention and support; for managers we add more on the law, confidentiality and managing absence.
Will you use our own HIV or wellness policy?
Yes. Send it to us beforehand and the facilitator works it into the legal and programme sections, so delegates learn your actual procedures.
Can you run this course in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban?
Yes. We train on site at your offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and across South Africa, at a BOTI venue in Johannesburg, or live online so a team spread over several offices can attend together.
Related courses
Ask a consultant for a written quote
A BOTI consultant emails you a written quote, usually within 15 minutes (Mon–Fri, 08:00–17:00). After hours, we reply on the next working day. To speak to someone now, call 011 882 8853.
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