June 1991

70th General Convention: A007: HIV/AIDS: ATen Principles for the Workplace.

Resolved, The House of Deputies concurring, That this 70th General Convention adopt the following “Ten Principles for the Workplace” as the standard by which Episcopalians will function in relationship to people with HIV/AIDS in the workplace:

  • People with HIV/AIDS are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as people with other serious or life-threatening illnesses;
  • Employment policies must, at a minimum, comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations;
  • Employment policies should be based on the scientific and epidemiological evidence that people with HIV/AIDS do not pose a risk of transmission of the virus to co-workers through ordinary workplace contact;
  • The highest levels of management and union leadership should unequivocally endorse nondiscriminatory employment policies and educational programs about HIV/AIDS;
  • Employers and unions should communicate their support of these policies to workers in simple, clear and unambiguous terms;
  • Employers should provide employees with sensitive, accurate and up-to-date education about risk reduction in their personal lives;
  • Employers have a duty to protect the confidentiality of employee’s medical information;
  • To prevent work disruption and rejection by coworkers of an employee with HIV/AIDS, employers and unions should undertake education for all employees before such an incident occurs and is needed therefafter;
  • Employers should not require HIV screening as part of general pre-employment or workplace physical examination;
  • In those special occupational settings where there is potential risk of exposure to HIV (for example, health care, where workers may be exposed to blood or blood products), employers should provide specific ongoing education and training, as well as the necessary equipment to reinforce appropriate infection control procedures and ensure that they are implemented; and be it further

Resolved, That this general Convention ask every diocese, congregation, school and church-related organization to review and discuss these “Ten Principles for the Workplace” and decide whether or not to adopt them as the standard for their organization, and to report their decision to the Joint Commission on AIDS by December 15, 1992; and be it further

Resolved, That Episcopalians throughout the Church be asked to share these Ten Principles with the management at their workplace and urge their adoption.