A case study of the response of ABSA Bank to the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this case study is to give a chronological narration of how Absa Bank addressesthe HIV/AIDS pandemic within its workforce. Through the research I intend to look beyond fiveyears; depending on the availability of documents and cooperation of staff who have access to therelevant information.The introduction includes a short story about how the bank came into existence and the vital roleit plays in the South African economy. Second in line is a brief history on the origins ofHIV/AIDS from its early stages up to 2008.This will include a brief statistics on the prevalence ofthe virus globally, with some reasons on the glaring disparities of the prevalence rates among thenations.This is followed by the brief report from the National HIV Survey, whose research methodsinvolves sampling a cross-section of society, including a large number of people from differentgeographical, racial and social groups. Their researchers claim to take great pains to try to makethe samples as representative as possible.As for Absa which is mainly an employer of the predominantly so called 'white collar workers,I have briefly given an anecdote on the studies concerning this particular group and theirrelationship with HIV/AIDS. This is the group that considers itself immune to the disease.Following will be an introductory statement and notes on the pandemic as a threat to the bank, bythe Group's Risk Department. I will also endeavour to elaborate on show how the ExecutiveCommittee responded to the potential threat and challenges facing the bank.The ABSA integrated Wellness and Health Policy, born out of all the top managerial endeavoursto mitigate the impact of the pandemic within its ranks will be thoroughly treated.Part of they method will be identifying the originators and stakeholders of the organisation'sHIV/AIDS and Life Threatening Policy. Included will be the information on what really triggeredthe Bank's response, to the point of drafting the HIV/AIDS Programme and subsequentlyimplementing it...The Absa HIV/AIDS Policy is part of the integrated Health and Wellness Programme. Thequestion that begs an answer: 'Is Absa winning the fight against HIV/AIDS within its ranks ornot? This paper will endeavour to analyse whether or not the Bank is effective in its fight againstthis fast-growing pandemic.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University