The world of HIV is changing. Many people with HIV who have access to treatments are living longer and with better health. As a result, they are either staying in the workforce or returning to work when they are well. Chances are you already have someone in your workplace that has HIV – or you will in the future.

Helping employees with HIV to stay in the workforce makes sense. Many people with HIV are between 25 and 50. They are skilled and valuable employees in the prime of their working years.

HIV is often considered an “episodic disability”. That’s because periods of good health may be interrupted by periods of illness or disability. Often it is difficult to predict when these “episodes” of disability will occur or how long they will last.

But good benefits packages can help all employees, including those with HIV, to get the services and support they need to stay healthy and active. Flexible personnel policies and work options can help all your employees stay in the workforce, maintain good health and reduce their sick time. And holding on to good employees is good for business.

Below you will find practical resources to help employers better meet the needs of staff living with episodic disabilities and to create a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Business Case

• A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION: The Business Case for Actively Recruiting and Retaining People with Episodic Disabilities

Online Courses

• Understanding Episodic Disabilities
  An innovative and interactive introductory online course that helps HR professionals understand the fundamentals of episodic disabilities in the workplace.
  
• Managing Episodic Disabilities: Accommodation Best Practices
  A practical, interactive, intermediate-level online course designed to prepare HR professionals to more effectively accommodate employees living with episodic disabilities.

Information Sheets

• Spotlight on Episodic Disabilities Information Sheet #3: Everyone Knows Someone
• Working with Employees with an Episodic Disability

Realize Presentations

• A Practical Perspective on Understanding Episodic Disabilities and Employment , July 2012
• Understanding Episodic Disabilities and Employment  for the Ontario Ministry of Education, April 2010