The complexity of managing HIV can create difficult legal and workplace issues for people living with HIV/AIDS. It is up to each person whether he or she wants to disclose their status to employers and coworkers, but regardless of this decision, there are laws that protect HIV positive people from workplace discrimination.

Disclosure

In 1996, U.S. Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, or the Privacy Rule. HIPAA Privacy protects the right to an individual’s medical and health privacy, including HIV status. It gives patients control over their medical records and health information.

Discrimination

In 1990, the federal government introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law that protects people with disabilities from workplace discrimination. This law includes the protection of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Check out these HIV/AIDS Workplace Tools from TheBody.com.