any social workers about!!!

[shotis]

hi ladies
hope you all well. I have a query here. I am about to complete my social work degree and needed advice on disclosing on a piece of paper.. I have received several application forms and they seem to want to know too much. I know that social work is a non-invasive-exposure jobs but why do they want know about our status.....has anyone encountered this intrusion here...help I need your opinions, I havent disclosed in some of them but fear that if they find out I'll be sacked...

[Ann]

Hi Shotis, how've you been?

In the UK, your hiv status is protected under the Disabilities Discrimination Act 2005.

You should find these links helpful:

http://www.tht.org.uk/howwecanhelpyou/livingwithhiv/healthcare/thedisabilitydiscriminationact/

http://www.equal-works.com/resources/contentfiles/2398.pdf

http://www.nat.org.uk/Living-with-HIV/Useful-information/Legal-protection.aspx

Personally, I would disclose (and have done) when applying for a job. This is because if my hiv status is going to be a problem for them, I wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I wouldn't want to have to lie about not feeling well, or why I have such regular doctor appointments.

Good luck with the job hunting! Let us know how you get on.

Hugs,
Ann

[Annie]

I am a social worker and will share my experience.  I found out I was HIV pos in 2005 when I was going through the employment process as an overseas contractor with the military.  Initially I was both shocked and scared of how this was going to effect my employment status.  The military doctor consulting with me advised me that I would need to disclose this to both my command and employer even though social work is considered a noninvasive position within the medical community, they still needed to take precautionary steps to protect everyone's health.  I was given the opportunity to take responsibility for this disclosure myself.  My command was very understanding and supportive and I had to go to each level of command and disclose.  It was a humiliating process but I understood the reasoning behind this.  Telling my employer was another issue. You would have thought being in the helping profession that my employer would have been as supporting...I was grilled.   They couldn't fire me due to discrimination laws but they made it as uncomfortable as possible for me by disclosing this information all the way up the chain to the Pentagon.  I couldn't believe it!  I was humiliated and it took a while to process through the shame.  I was also referred to a doctor from another military branch to help protect my anonymity and confidentiality.  That doctor was the biggest ass I had ever met.  He wanted to know about my sex life and didn't believe me when I told him that the only way I could have contacted HIV was through a body piercing I had gotten in 2003 and then proceeded to shame me and told me "I should go back to the states" so as not to infect the military.  I took the high road and acted like the professional I am and made it a point to turn his attitude and mannerisms around.  After providing care for me for two years he ate crow and admitted that I was the best patient he ever had.  I have worked overseas as a military contractor now for the past four years.   I do not fear disclosing my HIV status and am currently looking for another overseas assignment.  Anyway to answer your question it depends on where and with whom you are working for.  If you land a position with the government understand you may be mandated to disclose because they will test you as part of your employment process.  But this doesn't mean it is a deal killer.   

[shotis]

thank you for sharing your experiences..If I get a job within the government yes I would disclose.
I think I need to be brave to brace it and take it as it comes.