Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |
 |
HIV testing in the workplace.
Mar 12, 1998
Do you think that HIV testing should be mandatory in the workplace? Is it the person't right to privacy not to be tested or is it the right of the employers and others involved to know?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Ms. Breuer
Workplace HIV testing is not a matter of opinion; it's a matter of law. Everyone's medical information is confidential in the workplace, and that has been true since long before the AIDS epidemic began. There is no right to know anyone else's medical condition, whether it's HIV or multiple sclerosis or arthritis or cancer or any other diagnosis, and there is no need to know whether someone at work has a bloodborne illness. In case of injury, the simple rule is to treat all human blood as if it's infectious. That protects the first aider in all cases.
Mandatory HIV testing at work would have no practical application: once an employer knew, what would the employer do with the information? Discriminate? To what end? What would co-workers do differently? If they understand HIV, the correct answer is "nothing." People with HIV, like people without HIV, have the right to work as long as they can fulfill the essential functions of the job. Evaluations must be based on performance, not on diagnosis.
Nancy Breuer
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
