Website of the HIV Special Interest Group
-as part of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - HIV/AIDs, Oncology & Palliative Care
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Website of the HIV Special Interest Group -as part of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - HIV/AIDs, Oncology & Palliative Care
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2007 Update: Volume 27(3) of Work was a special edition entitled "HIV/AIDS and Employment: The Continuing Challenge" and contains a number of articles relating to this are, edited by Brent Braveman and Gary Kielhofner. See a full listing at: http://iospress.metapress.com/app/home/issue.asp?referrer=parent&backto=journal,5,55;browsepublicationsresults,73,74; Since the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy and the dramatic improvement in life expectancy, there are more people living with HIV considering returning to, or commencing, work than 20 years ago. Although there are more options available now, not everyone is capable of returning to work and not everyone wants to. Why go back to work? Work can have many advantages including stimulation, enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment, company and friendship – and a regular financial income. One of the most important decisions people have to make when thinking about going ‘back to work’ is what they are actually want to ‘go back’ to. Some may choose to pick up where they left off, others choose to try something completely different. Many people view work from very different perspectives. It is a good time for people to assess what they value and what they want from work, other than an income. The reality for others may be that due to the lapse in time since previous employment, they are unable to just pick up where they left off. Many will require some form of training to equip them, to return to the workforce either for returning to their old area of work or if they wish to try something completely different. There can be some very real difficulties returning to work after a prolonged period of time off due to illness. The impact that working can have on a person’s benefits can be a real concern. Many people with HIV have reported being in a “benefits trap”. In the early days people with HIV were fast-tracked onto maximum rate of benefit. If a person qualifies for the maximum rate of benefits now, they might actually be disastrously worse off returning to work. There is the real risk that some people may have to reapply for benefits under harsher eligibility conditions and find themselves being worse off financially than they currently are. Others could be deterred from attempting to return to work due to concerns about how long their health will last. Psychosocial Impact Many people who may now be considering how to deal with a future have already been through the trauma of diagnosis with HIV, the acceptance of shortened lifespan, and for many the prospect of fairly imminent death. Many have made decisions about what gives their life meaning and arranged their lives accordingly. One of the main problems faced by people with HIV is how to move out of long-term unemployment. For those who left the workforce a number of years ago, and for those who never entered the workforce, the prospect of returning to, or starting work, may be very daunting. Their confidence levels may be low and they may feel that they have been left behind in the face of technological advances or that they have been de-skilled due to lack of recent experience. Other common concerns often centre around gaps in experience, coping with becoming sick, managing medication, supportive employers and disclosure of condition. People in this situation require multi-faceted support. Some may only need advice regarding their CV while others may need more intensive support to assist them through the process. Entry to workforce options The process of entering the workforce can seem like a daunting one. However there are several different avenues to explore, including support from charities, pursuing further training, trying volunteering first or applying for employment. The main options for people wishing to gain new skills would be to undertake some voluntary work, attend a course at a local college, enrol on a work experience placement, or avail themselves of various government training schemes. Organisations providing ‘return to work’ programmes have stressed that actually returning to full time employment is only one of many options available. The main intent for such programmes is to improve quality of life and the number of choices available. Training and studying Adult education is available at community colleges and universities, at varying costs with a wide variety of subjects. Local Job Centres are also able to provide information about other government training schemes. Several of the charities listed below provide a range of training courses to assist with return to work. Volunteering The main advantage of undertaking volunteer work is that it provides an opportunity for gaining new skills, as well as starting the process of introducing some structure into daily routine. It also provides an opportunity of experiencing working conditions. Working and the Law The Disability Discrimination Act provides important workplace protection to people with HIV, in addition to the rights protected by other legislation. In summary, it is unlawful for an employer with 15 or more employees to:
HIV infection alone does not affect a person’s ability to work unless they develop illnesses that make them unfit. Only if a person’s illness affects their ability to do the job should their employer seek medical advice. Services Throughout the United Kingdom There are a number of HIV organisations around the UK that are providing various forms of assistance to people wishing to explore what options are available to them, however most of them are centred in London. For further specific information, it is advisable to contact local HIV organisations for details about what may be available. The Terrence Higgins Trust offers some services outside of London. London London has the highest concentration of people with HIV in the UK, most of who are of working age. Throughout London support is available for people living with HIV considering returning to work. Positive Futures is an amalgamation of 5 charities available in Greater London (Positive East Stepney, Oasis North London, Positively Women, Terrence Higgins Trust & Lighthouse and The UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS). It aims to provide a strategic and comprehensive range of services which meet the needs of people who are considering their future options. One of the main aims of the initiative is to help people maximise their potential and to make the most of their lives. Positive Futures is available to all people living with HIV within the greater London area. It works with individuals to improve their employment, education and skills prospects. It also provides employers with seminars, training and advice on issues relating to HIV in the workplace. There are no geographic or residential restrictions upon access to the services within the London area. Below are contact details for Ensuring Positive Futures and its associate charities. They work from a case management perspective and re-launched a comprehensive range of linked services in 2006. Ensuring Positive Futures Partnership 250 Kennington Lane London, SE11 5RD Tel. 0207 564 2146 Fax. 0207 564 2140 http://www.ukcoalition.org/epf Provide a Job Finder Support project and also three booklets have been produced (‘Thinking about the Future’ and ‘Positive about Work A Practical Guide to Finding Employment’ and ‘Positive about Work A Guide to Your Rights’) with provide clear information about work and related issues.
Positive East Stepney Tel: 020 7791 2855 Fax: 020 7780 9551 http://www.theglobecentre.co.uk Provides the ‘Positive About Work’ project offering basic IT and skills training, career guidance and managing transition.
Oasis North London 3 Gloucester Avenue London NW1 7AS 0207 267 8705 Offers skills and IT training programs.
Positively Women 347-349 City Road London, EC1V 1LR. Tel. 0207 713 0222 Fax. 0207 713 1020 Offers volunteer placements for women living with HIV, providing an opportunity to learn new skills and build confidence and experience in a safe and supportive environment.
Terrence Higgins Trust & Lighthouse 52-54 Grays Inn Road London WC1Z 8JU 0207 931 0330 Offers a Helpline, information booklets and IT training programs. The website shows the 3 service centres of Lighthouse, which is the London arm of THT.
Compiled by Jenny Collins, Locum Senior OT, University College London Hospital, May 2005.Updated June 2006. |
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