HIV/AIDS Workplace policy

Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd (referred as “the Company” in this policy) recognizes the magnitude and severity of the development of HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide and the Company is committed to the development of policies and the implementation of programs at its workplace sites on HIV/AIDS non-discrimination, awareness, prevention and health support.

Non-Discrimination

• The Company will not and does not discriminate against colleagues or applicants having, perceived as having, living with or otherwise affected by HIV or AIDS.

• The Company treats HIV/AIDS the same as other illnesses in terms of all of our employee policies and benefits, including health and life insurance, disability benefits and leaves of absence.

• In accordance with applicable laws, the Company provides reasonable work accommodations when needed for qualified individuals.

• All colleagues must adhere to the non-discrimination policy. Colleagues who refuse to work with, withhold services from, harass or otherwise discriminate against another colleague because of his/her having HIV/AIDS, being perceived as having, living with HIV/AIDS, or being otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS, will be subject to discipline and/or other corrective actions.

• The Company has a grievance redressal system. Colleagues who feel they have been discriminated against as a result of having, being perceived as having, living with or being affected by HIV/AIDS, and those who have any other related concerns, are encouraged to utilize the Greivance Redressal System.

• Employees who are HIV positive, are free to continue to work and will be treated like any other employee with regard to training, promotion, transfer, discipline and other social welfare.

HIV Testing, Confidentiality and Disclosure

• The Company encourages routine, confidential, voluntary testing and counseling as part of its education and awareness programs.
• HIV and AIDS are treated confidentially as medical conditions, in accordance with applicable laws and the Company’s policies.
• The company does not require colleagues, their dependents, job applicants or other third parties to undergo HIV testing as a condition of employment or receipt of benefits.

Promoting a Safe Work Environment

The Company is committed to providing a work environment that protects colleague health and safety. This commitment recognizes that HIV/ AIDS cannot be transmitted through casual contact. Employees who know the facts about HIV infection and AIDS are less likely to react negatively or inappropriately to a colleague's illness. Therefore, the Company would manage the risk of HIV infection in the workplace through:

• Appropriate training, awareness, and education on the use of infection control measures in the workplace;
• Provision of appropriate equipment and materials to protect colleagues from the risk of exposure to HIV in the performance of their work;

Reasonable accommodation and job security

• The Company will take measures to extend reasonable accommodation to employees with HIV/AIDS related illnesses. This could include re-arrangement of working time, opportunities for rest breaks, time off for medical appointments and necessary sick leave as per the Leave policy
• Employees who are HIV positive, are free to continue to work and will be treated like any other employee with regard to training, promotion, transfer, discipline and other social welfare.
• The Company will not dismiss an employee purely on the basis of his/her HIV/AIDS status.
• Where an employee with an AIDS related condition is too ill to continue to work and where alternative working arrangements, including extended sick leave, have been exhausted, the employment relationship may cease in accordance with anti- discrimination, labour laws and Company policies and procedures.

Education and Awareness

• The Company is concerned about the wellness of our colleagues and their families. Company-provided benefits and programs have an important role in preserving the dignity of those colleagues infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. They serve to help them maintain normal and productive lives.
• The employees are made aware of the Comprehensive Model HIV and AIDS Policy published by the Government of India (which is available in Hindi and English) for wider understanding. The same is uploaded on the Organization’s internal communication platform for ensuring necessary awareness and compliance of the connected statutory regulations.

Access to Treatment and Care

• Colleagues who test positive for HIV can be productive for a long time if they receive the right treatment and medical support. The Company believes that its employees should have access to appropriate treatment and it provides benefits on treatment and care through its Medicare Policy to those colleagues infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
• The Company does not accept responsibility in cases of employees or eligible dependents who decline Company medical benefit coverage, who voluntarily terminate treatment, or who fail to observe the conditions associated with the provision of the medication. Nor does the Company accept responsibility for any possible failure or side-effects of the treatment provided.

Implementation

The implementation of the policy would be adapted to comply with local laws.

Policy review

This policy will be reviewed and updated as and when the need arises or when developments relating to it necessitate policy review.