An Exploration of the Link between HIV/AIDS, and Employment Opportunities and Performance of Employees: A Case Study of Selected Organisations in Masaka Local Council Government, Masaka Municipality.

Abstract

LULINDA YIGA LUDOVIC (2008-MO92-30023)

An Exploration of the Link between HIV/AIDS, and Employment Opportunities and Performance of Employees: A Case Study of Selected Organisations in Masaka Local Council Government, Masaka Municipality

In this research study, the attitudes, perceptions, prejudices and myths related to HIV/AIDS and employment were examined. In the same research, employment opportunism and job performance were also discussed related to people living with HIV/AIDS. This research study was carried out in Masaka district in Masaka municipality. The choice was that Masaka district is among the pioneer districts in Uganda where HIV/AIDS was first detected/discovered. The researcher intended to examine the working relationships amongst people living with HIV/AIDS and their employers at the work places. The study explores the employment opportunities in relation to people living with HIV/AIDS in the job market. This focused at the employers and employees, during the process of recruitment- selection, interviewing, staffing and retention. The study was conducted using a qualitative methodology with which data was collected, analysed, interpreted and presented. The research instruments comprised of interviews, questionnaires, group discussions and observation method. In line with the qualitative model, the findings were presented analytically in relation to the objectives. The study established the findings to be 85.7% of the respondents having special benefits to HIV positive clients. However, 14.3% of the respondents argued that HIV/AIDS has a relationship to job performance. The research study found out that there are varying attitudes, perceptions, prejudices, stereotypes among employers and employees, in relation to HIV/AIDS and job performance. Other views were that, HIV/AIDS and employment opportunities and performance are different although, HIV/AIDS might affect employees and employers to some extent. The conclusion is that the link between HIV/AIDS and employment opportunities and job performance has varying perceptions depending on the nature of the organisation/institution. The recommendations emerging from the research study include: the need to streamline HIV/AIDS and employment opportunities within the framework of the work policy. Establishing poverty alleviation programmes/projects to target HIV positive employees was also highlighted. Representation in the Parliament of people living with HIV/AIDS was recommended. Key words: Employment, HIV, AIDS, Performance, Employee, Organisation, Organization