You want to take action, but it can be difficult to know where to start.
Two things will help.

First, find out what's happening in other workplaces locally - and find out what resources are available. These may include leaflets from the Ministry of Health or National AIDS Council, materials from UNAIDS, experienced trainers from NGOs, technical and policy advice from the ILO office…

The national employers' organization or trade union centre, as well as the ILO and UNAIDS country coordinator, should be able to put you in touch with other enterprises or public sector departments where action has already started and they have experiences to share.

Second, work out how severe the problem is or could become in your own workplace. You can get a fair idea just by knowing the average percentage of infections among adults in your country. Company records may show if deaths have risen, if it's spending more on medical and funeral benefits, if there's a higher turnover of labour. What if it got worse?

Consultation is useful at this stage, especially between management and workforce, so that the managers have a better understanding of needs. You may also decide to conduct a simple survey to find out how much people know about AIDS, their attitudes and even behaviour - but make sure to respect anonymity or confidentiality.

Now the workplace is ready for a statement from the CEO or senior manager, with the union or worker representative, to say that action will be taken on HIV/AIDS, involving the whole workforce.

> Go to step 4

Further information Meeting Report 2: Workshop for employers' organizations in East and Southern Africa on a time-bound action plan to combat HIV/AIDS (2001), English, PDF 236K ILO field offices UNAIDS Guidelines on addressing HIV/AIDS in the workplace through employment and labour law - (January 2004) The IOE and the ICFTU promote employers and workers collaboration on HIV/AIDS at all levels.