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. 2019;64(4):731-741.
doi: 10.3233/WOR-193035.

Supporting choices about HIV disclosure in the workplace: A cross-Canada survey of strategies

Gayle Restall  1 , Alexandria Simms  1 , Emily Etcheverry  1 , Kerstin Roger  2 , Dawn James  3 , Pumulo Roddy  4 , Wendy Porch  5 , Jeff Potts  6 , Dave Skitch  7 , Tammy Yates  5
Affiliations

Supporting choices about HIV disclosure in the workplace: A cross-Canada survey of strategies

Gayle Restall et al. Work. 2019.

Abstract

Background: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often make highly personal decisions about whether or not to disclose their HIV status in the workplace.

Objective: We aimed to determine current practices that support people living with HIV to make workplace disclosure decisions and to understand factors that affect disclosure decision-making.

Methods: Ninety-four people who provide health, social and peer-based services responded to an on-line survey about their experiences supporting workplace disclosure decisions of employees living with HIV.

Results: Respondents identified a range of strategies to support workplace disclosure decision-making. One-third of respondents were only a little or not confident in their abilities to support people in making disclosure decisions and 32% expressed little or no confidence in the resources available. Respondents working at HIV-specific organizations, as compared to respondents not working at those organizations, were more confident supporting people with disclosure decisions and in available resources, p < .05. Perceived barriers to disclosure decisions included stigma, lack of knowledge, and personal factors. Supports for decision-making resided within personal, workplace and societal contexts.

Conclusions: The study provides important understanding about the complexity of disclosure decision-making and strategies that people living with HIV can use to address this complex issue.

Keywords: Employment; decision-making; service delivery.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to report.

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