No-one has to tolerate being victimised, harassed or bullied by collegues, the law is there to shield you from unfair treatment in the workplace.
If you are living with HIV your rights under the law are wide-ranging and complex and you are protected from discrimination or harassment by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 1998. These Acts also protect employees who, for one reason or another, have health issues that require sensitive handling.
If employers breach confidentiality in relation to your HIV status, they may be in breach of the Data Protection Act.
Your employer may not discriminate against you because of your HIV status, neither are they permitted to pressurise your colleagues, particularly members of staff such as your supervisor, to treat you less favourably.
The fact that you are HIV positive entitles you to expect reasonable adjustments in the way you carry out your duties if necessary. It is also realistic for you to have an expectation of working without being victimised, harassed or bullied by your managers, supervisors and work colleagues because of your HIV status.
Should there be a change in your general health which could lead to requiring a particular course of treatment should be reported in advance enabling your employer to take and steps to arrange cover should it be necessary.
If you do find yourself being treated less favourably you should utilise your firm’s grievance procedure as soonas you feel uncomfortable, the longer you leave it the harder it will be to remedy.
If you can not resolve the matter internally, please contact us in the strictest confidence and we will be able to assist you by explaining your rights under the current employemnt legislation as well as your available remedies in law.
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