Expressing Solidarity with the TB diagnosed employee

Supporting an employee diagnosed with TB

What’s inside:

Read this Chapter to learn how an organization can support an employee diagnosed with active TB.

Expressing Solidarity with the TB diagnosed employee

The employers are advised to provide a supportive environment for the TB diagnosed employees by documenting the organisation’s approach on managing TB at the workplace.

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Ensuring a safe workplace:

• Maintain confidentiality
• No tolerance to stigma and discrimination
• Promote peer employees support activities for TB diagnosed employee
• Contact Tracing for identifying cases if any other employees are having TB

Sick leave and flexible workhours:

TB treatment always involves extended sick leave & the intensive phase of the treatment lasts around 2 months

• HR policy needs to be sensitive to the treatment period.
• Work from home for possible cases depending on the health of the employee
• Considering provision of flexible work hours

Support for continuity of Treatment:

TB treatment lasts for minimum of 6 months, and in most cases the employee can join back to work in and around 2 months. The work place shall ensure the employee is continuing the treatment till the completion of the prescribed course.

Return to work:

The organization shall have a clear return to work policy for avoiding:

• Possible anxiety of employee under treatment as well as other employees
• Prevention of hiding of TB or other air borne infection symptoms

The return to work shall be linked to the medical certification that the employee is no longer infectious.