A poll of managers and workers has found nearly half believe people who have HIV should not be allowed to work as chefs, and almost a quarter would rather they did not work as waiters, according to a group of HIV charities.
Although HIV is not infectious and can now be controlled by drugs, the study 40% thought it would not appropriate for people with HIV to work as chefs and 24% said the same thing for waiters.
A total of 85% argued that cleaners needed not to have HIV, and 38% thought someone living with HIV should not take on a nursing role.
The findings showed there was still a widespread lack of understanding and education about HIV in the workplace, said report author the Positive Futures Partnership.
The biggest barriers in employment for people living with HIV were not health, but stigma and discrimination in the workplace, it added.
by Nic Paton
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