WORK
There are no jobs in the UK that are off-limits for people living with HIV. If you would like to be a surgeon, midwife, dentist, pilot or member of the armed forces, you can.
In June 2022, new guidance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was published for pilots living with HIV to support them with their careers.
The guidance confirms that with a timely diagnosis of HIV and antiretroviral therapy, there is a low risk of a pilot suffering conditions that could affect their ability to safely fly aircraft. Find out more here.
Click on the image above to read a BBC article about a pilot who helped campaign for these guidance changes.
Also in June 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that all barriers had been removed for people living with HIV to join and have a successful career in the military in the UK.
This means there is no longer a ban on people living with HIV joining the British Armed Forces. Find out more here.
Talking about your HIV at work
Did you know that there are only a small number of roles that require someone living with HIV to share their HIV status at work?
In the UK, if you want to become a dentist, surgeon, midwife, pilot or member of the armed forces, then you need to tell your employer about your HIV status. You can still do these jobs, you just need to share your HIV status.
For any other job in the UK, the decision to tell an employer that you’re living with HIV is yours alone. It is important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. You may be worried about discrimination, but telling your employer may give you the extra support you need. For example, time off for medical appointments.
There is a UK law called the Equality Act that protects people with HIV from discrimination in the workplace. It also means that your employer should keep your status confidential and make adjustments to support you at work.
The Work edition (of the Spotlight Series) focuses on a range of people working across the UK in different professions, from healthcare to sports, from the arts to hospitality and everything in between.
Through these videos, we hope to show you how and why people with HIV are choosing to tell their employer, if at all. Most importantly, we hope to show you how they are succeeding in the workplace and their careers.
SPOTLIGHT ON.. THE WORK EDITION
Introduction
Introducing The Work edition of Chiva Spotlight Series with Bakita interviewing a range of people living with HIV in different UK professions, from the arts to sports. How does HIV feature in people’s day to day work?
Working in Healthcare, Campaigning and Studying
In this video, we talk to Horcelie about being a health assistant, campaigners, activist and artist.
Working in Theatre and Being Self-employed.
In this video, we talk to Nathaniel, an award-winning theatre-maker, writer and performer. He talks about being self-employed, using the arts to share his story and how his HIV status propelled him to the stage in First Time and channel 4’s Its A Sin.
Working in Theatre Administration
In this video, we talk to Niamh, who has an admin role in the theatre. She shares what it was like telling her manager about her HIV status and her manager’s reaction. Niamh chose to share when she first started taking HIV treatment. She also speaks about there being “no wrong path” even when things don’t go as you had expected.
Working in Wellbeing and Retail
In this video, we talk to Mel about her career in wellbeing and mindfulness and her current and previous roles in retail and hospitality.
Working in IT
In this video, we talk to Och about being a Data Insight and Analytics Lead and why he chose to share his HIV status with specific colleagues, rather than his whole team.
Working in Sports
In this video, we talk to Sam about being a rowing coach and university student.
Working in Healthcare
In this video, we talk to LeaSuwanna about training to be a nurse, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working in Heavy Industry
In this video, we talk to Peter about working in an area called heavy industry. His company creates and fixes baking tins for large companies.
