Getting back into work

If you are living with HIV, you may face certain difficulties in applying for jobs. If you’ve taken time off work, you might need some support in applying for jobs. Ensuring Positive Futures can offer support and guidance. Don’t hesitate to contact us. Many local councils and further education colleges also have careers advice centres.

This information is intended as a guide, and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

I’ve been off work for some time, and I want to develop a new career, where do I start?

It often happens that people living with HIV take some time off work to deal with their diagnosis or with health issues. This can make it hard to return to the workplace.

Start by assessing your personal skills and qualities, and ask yourself what sort of job you would enjoy.

It may be necessary to update your skills with a training course, or to learn some completely new skills.

To gain experience of the workplace, you could think about volunteering, or going on a work placement.

Talk to a careers adviser, or phone an employment adviser at UKC on 020 7564 2188.

I’ve been off work for some time; how can I fill a gap on my CV?

If you’ve been off work for some time, there might be gaps on your CV. This is something you will have to deal with when you are applying for jobs.

Think about what you have done in your time away from the workplace.

How difficult a period of absence is to explain may depend upon the length. Employers may not be so curious about an absence of 2 years which could be explained away as time out from the workplace, time with family, having a break to consider choices, or pursuing personal interests. However, difficulties may arise when the absence becomes more substantial.

What is required here is for you to look at what you have done during that time, and present it to a potential employer in a way that they will understand in terms of what you can offer them. Remember, employers are interested in what you can do for them.

If you can’t account for your time, then it might be an idea to gain experience through voluntary work, or by doing a work placement. Contact us for advice, or see a careers adviser for more in-depth guidance.

I want to do something with my time, but I’m scared of losing my benefits. What can I do?

HIV diagnosis is often very hard to deal with, and if you are claiming benefits you might not want to risk losing them.

At the same time it’s important to plan for the future. Remember that doing something meaningful with your time can improve your life. Also there is the danger that you can become quite isolated if you’re claiming benefits.

But there are still lots of things you can do with your time without it affecting your benefits. Maybe think about doing some voluntary work, or you can study part time without it affecting your benefits.

If you are claiming certain disability benefits you maybe able to work part-time without it affecting your benefits entitlement, but always check with your benefits adviser first.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t be afraid of taking the plunge, you have nothing to loose, and loads to gain. Good luck!

I want to work in an environment where I can be open about my HIV status, where should I look?

If you feel unable to talk to your employer about your HIV status, it can make life difficult for you. For example you might have to lie about going to see your consultant, or you might have to hide your medications from your colleagues.

Another downside is that you won’t be able to ask for support if your health is suffering.

If you want to find a job in a more supportive environment, find out if an organisation has a HIV policy, or if they have a comprehensive equal opportunities policy.

Government departments, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations are often more accessible to people with disabilities such as HIV, although you cannot guarantee this.

I think my work is affecting my health, what can I do?

First of all remember your health is your most important thing.

Certain careers, for example catering, involve working long shifts in a stressful environment. This can adversely affect your health, or make it difficult to adhere to your medication regime.

HIV is classed as a disability under the DDA and this means that you are entitled to ask your employer to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make your job more manageable. For example you might be entitled to change your shift pattern, or move to a less stressful department.

If you work for a large organisation it may be possible to talk to your Occupational Health department in confidence. Maybe you could ask a friend to contact them anonymously to gauge their reactions.

If this doesn’t help, it might be an idea to take some time off work to reassess your options, but before you do this talk to your doctor or consultant and ask for their opinion.