HIV AND AIDS WORKPLACE POLICY FOR THE ZIMBABWE OPEN
UNIVERSITY-FRIEND OR FOE?

HIV AND AIDS WORKPLACE POLICY FOR THE ZIMBABWE OPEN
UNIVERSITY-FRIEND OR FOE?

CHIKUKWA HERBERT T*

CHIOME CHRISPEN**

RAPHINOS ALEXANDER CHABAYA*

This study sought to evaluate the friendliness of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy
for the Zimbabwe Open University. This was a case study of one regional centre. Thirty six
purposively selected fulltime lecturers and support staff participated in this research. Data
was collected through open-ended questionnaires and analysed thematically. The results
indicated that the policy is at best non-existent and at worst disconnected from real
workplace complexities. Consequently, HIV positive workers appear isolated because they
are not supported nor valued at the workplace. Most glaringly, HIV disproportionately
affects women workers more than their male counterparts. In some instances these are even
overloaded, shunned or stigmatised. Consequently, the workers in this study think HIV
positive workers are disenfranchised threatening the university social fabric. They then
advocated for an end to workplace discrimination and stigmatisation of HIV positive
workers whose status must be kept in confidence, workload minimised, substantial resources
invested in their well being and their immediate relatives catered for in medical Aid benefits.
More information could be availed to affected and infected workers so that they can live
positively. The study recommended concerted effort and substantial resource investment in
innovative policies that are worker friendly. Further studies need to be done on supporting
HIV positive workers at the workplace.

JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC RESEARCH FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY

2014