World Aids Day takes place on the same day each year on 1 December. 

It gives Unions the opportunity to:
 

• Show our support and solidarity with people living with HIV
• Highlight the facts and realities of living with HIV today and challenge the misconceptions
• Raise awareness of members’ rights at work under the Equality Act (or the Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland).

Today an estimated 105,200 people live with HIV in the UK. Yet recent research by the National Aids Trust found 63% of the public do not remember seeing or hearing about HIV in the past six months. Only a third said they have sympathy for people living with HIV regardless of how they acquired it.

Their survey also found 1 in 5 think people think you can acquire HIV through kissing. Only 16% knew if someone is on effective treatment, they can’t pass HIV on and can expect to live a long and healthy life.

Because of the stigma surrounding HIV under employment law (specifically the Equality Act or the Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) HIV is one of only five conditions that is considered a disability from the point of diagnosis. This means that employers who are aware of a workers HIV positive status must make reasonable adjustments to the workplace environment, to job duties and to policies and procedures to prevent them being disadvantaged at work. People living with HIV are also protected from harassment and victimisation at work, or from being treated unfavourably because of something arising in consequence of their HIV status.

To find out more about the rights at work members living with HIV and other hidden disabilities have take a look at leaflets:
 

• Hidden disabilities
• Are you affected by HIV?