NBL recognises the catastrophic potential impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on employees, their dependants and co-workers and is committed to addressing the issue in a positive, supportive and non-discriminatory manner that will minimise the financial, social and developmental consequences of the epidemic.
NBL aims to create an open and trusting working environment and is committed to fair, non-discriminatory employment practices in respect of employees who are infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. In order to reduce new HIV infections and create an open environment, the first step of its ongoing strategy was a prevention and education programme that continues to be developed and includes workshops, awareness campaigns, presentations, pamphlets, posters and condom distribution. The programme also encompasses surveillance testing, voluntary testing and counselling and a wellness programme. NBL also receives regular advice from AVI's (NBL's holding company) field expert in this regard, Dr Isak Fourie.
The key components of this HIV/AIDS workplace intervention programme have included:
An HIV/AIDS strategy which has been devised to address the following key areas:
1. HIV/AIDS education.
2. Encouraging employees to know their status.
3. Keeping HIV negative employees, negative.
4. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle for all employees, especially those who are HIV positive.
These NBL programmes communicate essential knowledge around the disease and its prevention. They also strive to eliminate discrimination and provide information to employees and those living with HIV/AIDS, protect employees who run the risk of being exposed to the disease in their duties and encourage employees to know their HIV status and live healthier lifestyles.
According to André Swanepoel, NBL's Executive Director of Human Resources: "NBL is dedicated to accepting, acknowledging and managing HIV/AIDS in our workplace. Through a structured approach, we are committed to ensuring successful HIV management in order to provide a safe and positive environment for all our staff."
NBL encourages each of its employees to know their HIV status and in doing so, manage their life accordingly. It is for this reason that NBL introduced surveillance testing across all its sites a short while ago. This was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The initial results have shown prevalence rate of those tested to be between 11-16%. The next step will be to encourage voluntary testing and counselling in order to introduce individual and lifestyle-based well programmes for those infected and affected.
NBL has made great progress within the HIV/AIDS management arena and their ongoing initiatives and commitment have ensured a positive and proactive approach to managing HIV/AIDS.
"We are committed to managing HIV/AIDS within our workplace and ensuring a positive and hands-on approach. Through co-ordinating activities, keeping abreast of the latest developments and ensuring we are at the forefront of HIV/AIDS management, we believe NBL can not only take a stand against the global pandemic by managing HIV/AIDS in our workplace, but set a precedent for fellow South African companies," concludes Swanepoel.
