“Implementing a Workplace Programme: Lessons and Challenges”

1. “Implementing a Workplace Programme: Lessons and Challenges”

2. HIV/AIDS as a Business Issue • The Risk Assessment Checklist: • Does the company employ large number of people? • Does the company employ a large number of migrant workers who live without their families? • Does the company have employees who need to travel frequently or travel for long periods of time? • Does the company have relatively well-paid employees as compared to the high unemployment or poverty level in that area? • Is the workplace situated at a convenient distance from hubs where commercial sex is easily available? • Does the company have a large section of unmarried youth? • Does the company have disparity of pay between men and women? • Does the company employ men and women where there is intermingling of sexes at work? Risk Evaluation: • A 'yes' answer to any one of these questions indicates that the company may be at risk. • A 'yes'to three or four of the questions indicates that the company is very likely at risk • of being affected by HIV/AIDS. • A 'yes' answer to five or more of these questions indicates that the company is at high risk • of being affected by HIV/AIDS.

3. HIV/AIDS as a Business Issue • HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue, it touches all aspects of life • Economic, legal, ethical, psycho-social, political, psychological, cultural and also impinges upon Human rights. • HIV/AIDS requires management participation: • All employees require information and education on: • HIV/AIDS modes of transmission, prevention measures, sexuality, gender and human rights issues. Infected employees require treatment, care and support options. • Management can provide this through HIV/AIDS policies and programmes. • Industries are increasingly recognizing that HIV/AIDS can affect productivity and profitability at workplace and beyond, in the surrounding communities. • HIV impacts macro and micro level economy, including Industries; affecting productivity and profitability since: • Skilled and unskilled persons are lost, productivity and profits are reduced, meeting market demands becomes difficult and consumers are reduced as the spreads more widely into communities. • Costs are increased as medical care, recruitment, training and family welfare.

4. In the words of TCS Associates !! I am a lady and I am more comfortable only if a lady talks with me regarding this subject. I am safe!! And I will never get infected HIV/AIDS Awareness is required for the people who live in slums and rural areas. This is just another problem for the nation and I have no role to play. The government will tackle it.

5. Challenges of Implementing a Workplace Programme • Most of the associates believed that they were aware about HIV/AIDS and they were not eager to know more about the subject. • Associates felt that enough information on HIV/AIDS was available through print and electronic media and through Internet. They simply considered it a wastage of time to attend any sessions on HIV/AIDS Awareness. • Few associates were interested but they wanted separate sessions for the ladies and the men. Out of Box Thinking was required

6. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS "Ten people who speak, make more noise than ten thousand who are silent"  Nukkad Nataks in Office canteens Rang De Basanti Effect - Candle Light Pledge

7. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS

8. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS • Celebrating World HIV/AIDS Awareness Day • Red Ribbon Distribution at all the offices • Online Quiz for creating more Awareness • Removing Myths and Misconceptions through articles published in our in-house magazine ‘Maitree Matters’ and Maitree website. After this successful and interesting campaign, associates understood the importance of awareness sessions and they were willing to make a difference

9. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS • Phase 1: • Associates were invited for an hour session on basic HIV/AIDS Awareness. • The session gave an overview about Human Immune System and important conditions for HIV to cause transmission (concentration of virus and port of entry). • Many myths and misconceptions that the associates had were removed and eventually they were informed about the Peer Educator Programme. • Phase 2: • The Peer Educator Programme was initiated with the following objectives • Giving appropriate knowledge about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. • Improve the communications skills of the participants in delivering HIV/AIDS messages • Trying to develop a sensitive approach among participants about HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS. • Orienting them to the basic principles and values of counseling so as to facilitate sensitivity in their interaction with people.

10. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS • Peer Educator Programme (continued): • Since condom promotion is an important aspect of HIV/AIDS intervention and there are lots of inhibitions on accessing and using condom in India, the Peer Educators were asked to buy condoms as an assignment. Later they shared their experiences with other participants. • Discussion on condom was followed by a session on proper use of condom. Correct and consistent use of condoms was emphasized. Participants felt that the session helped them break barriers in talking about condoms. • The Peer educators were briefed about the qualities of a good counselor by diving them in to groups and asking them to enact a role play. • A Refresher course was conducted for the Peer Educators after a month to discuss issues and specific topics and share ideas.

11. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS Peer Educator Amit shares his experience of buying a condom as other participants listen to him. Participants interact with a HIV positive lady

12. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS • A Candle lights another candle to take over darkness. The Peer Educator Programme was also aimed towards the same. • The Peer Educators are now conducting Awareness sessions for their colleagues working in different projects. It has been observed that the associates have been more comfortable discussing with their peers. • Maitree is also working with many schools for the underprivileged and the Peer Educators are imparting knowledge and information to these children and the local community. • Sensitizing through various community initiatives • At Wazapur village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, Maitree has organized HIV/AIDS Awareness sessions with the help of Wockhardt Foundation. • These sessions were attended by the villagers and the students of a secondary school. • Nukkad Nataks were done to convey the message.

13. Implementing a Workplace Programme in TCS • Partners and NGOs helping us implement Workplace Implementation Programme: • Modicare Foundation • Wockhardt Foundation • Population Services International (PSI)