Getting back into work
There have been enormous improvements in HIV treatment in recent years, which have resulted in many people with HIV either remaining in the workplace or thinking about returning to work or study.
Work has many advantages for people living with HIV, including stimulation, enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment, company and friendship, not to mention a regular financial income.
You should be aware, however, of some very real difficulties you may face returning to work after having a prolonged period of time off due to illness. There is also a possibility that you may encounter some difficulties in the workplace related to your HIV infection.
One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether to return to your former type of employment or use the opportunity to enter a new line of work.
For some people with HIV it may not be a question of ’returning’ to work, but of entering the workplace for the first time.
If you need specific skills or qualifications to gain employment in your chosen field you may want to consider further study at Highlands College either as full-time student or by enrolling on one of the many part-time courses offered by the college.
If you lack confidence and you feel worried about the prospect of returning to the workplace, it may be a more realistic plan to undertake some part-time work, either paid or voluntary, while you find a working balance that suits you. However, you should be aware that in Jersey, a person in receipt of short term incapacity benefit is not allowed to do any paid work or voluntary work: but a person on long term incapacity benefit can work without it affecting their benefit payments.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, contact us for advice.
Whatever situation you are in there is a good chance you will need some training to help you prepare, both practically and mentally, for work. In Jersey, ACET works closely with the Jersey Employment Trust (JET) to provide the information, advice and practical support people living with HIV need to prepare to return to work.
People with HIV who access any of JET’s services can be reassured that JET has a strict confidentiality policy. Personal information about HIV status is anonymised and only named members of staff working directly with a person would be made aware of that person’s HIV status, and this would only be done with the expressed consent of the individual concerned.
Last updated April 2010