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BG Group does not and will not discriminate in employment because of HIV status.
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We do not undertake pre -employment testing for HIV antibody status.
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We offer appropriate support to anyone discovered to be HIV positive as the result of HIV antibody testing conducted in the course of requisite visa requirements and/or if the individual informs BG Group that they are HIV positive.
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Our approach is consistent with the advice and guidance produce d by specialist health organisations and industry bodies.
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Where BG Assets wish to give particular support to HIV/AIDS prevention or treatment programmes, this should be carried out in a controlled, sensitive fashion, ideally in cooperation with a specialist health organisation.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a systemic condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There is often a very prolonged phase in which individuals, although infected by HIV, are symptom free.
Once AIDS itself has become established, there is a variable clinical course which may be significantly modified by treatment. Although there is, at yet, no vaccine against the virus and no curative treatment for the disease, individuals may lead many years of fully productive life, especially if managed by intensive up-to-date therapies.
From BG Group's perspective, the major issues are:
Does a company owe an increased duty of care to AIDS sufferers in communities where the impact of the company's work may be regarded by some as stimulating an increase in HIV infection?
With regard to fitness to work, HIV/AIDS is really no different from any other serious chronic disease. Therefore, fitness to work can be assessed in terms of three criteria:
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Is the individual physically and psychologically capable of performing the work, or can the work/workplace be modified to achieve such fitness?
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Is the individual likely to be a danger to others while working because of his/her illness?
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Is the individual likely to be a danger to himself/herself while working?
These criteria need to be assessed on a case by case basis in every instance of any serious illness by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner in the applicable BG Group Asset.
BG Group will apply these general fitness to work criteria to those individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS and will not create or apply special or discriminatory criteria.
We will not undertake pre-employment testing for HIV and do not support such testing.
Some countries require evidence of HIV antibody testing and a negative HIV test result before issuing visas. In these circumstances, medical professionals conduct tests only with the full and informed consent of the individual and after the individual has been offered counselling.
Results of such testing are handled in a confidential and sensitive manner by Occupational Health. We offer appropriate support to anyone discovered to be HIV positive as a result of such tests.
Results of visa directed testing will not impact upon employment or work within BG Group. Should the HIV test result be positive, this information will not be revealed to the BG Asset and the individual will not be provided with a visa on the grounds that they are medically unfit. This positive test result will be filed securely by Occupational Health and only accessed by Occupational Health.
Individuals have the right to confidentiality with regard to their HIV status and if an individual informs BG Group of his or her HIV status, this information shall not be disclosed to any other person without that individual̢۪s written and express consent. A breach of confidentiality in this respect may constitute a disciplinary offence which may include dismissal or other appropriate sanction.
We keep up to date with the advice and guidance produced by international organisations e.g. the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and industry organisations, such as the Oil and Gas Producers Forum (OGP) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA).
We are confident that BG Group's approach is consistent with these guidelines .
BG Group does not discriminate against an individual because of his or her HIV status.
Within our Health Strategy, we expect all BG Assets in which BG Group has total control to comply with UK law relating to health - or to local law where this exceeds UK disability discrimination legislation - and operate in line with international good practice where this is applicable.
International good practice is clear and unequivocal in its view that those individuals with HIV/AIDS should not suffer discrimination. We support this view.
A view is widely held that certain work activities in developing countries may, in themselves, contribute to an increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the local community. Certain industries, such as mining and transport, with a highly mobile or transient workforce, appear to be associated more particularly with this occurrence.
We do not believe that our business activities contribute to an increase in HIV/AIDS.
Where individual BG Assets wish to contribute to local AIDS programmes , we encourage them to do so in a responsible and considered manner in keeping with the best international advice. Before any such support programme is begun, clear principles s hould be established by the BG Group Asset's project manager with appropriate advice from Occupational Health as to what is to be achieved, how it is to be achieved and what degree of long term sustainability is desired.
We provide further advice and guidance to BG Assets through our corporate Occupational Health department.
BG Group is aware of the relevance of HIV/AIDS in the modern world and how work and AIDS may interact and impact on each other. We do not discriminate in employment because of HIV status or undertake pre-employment testing for HIV antibody status.
We offer appropriate support to anyone discovered to be HIV positive as the result of HIV antibody testing conducted in the course of visa requirements or as a result of the individual informing BG Group of their HIV status.
We take a responsible approach to HIV/AIDS and follow the guidelines of major international bodies such as WHO and ILO.
Dr. Jonathan Ross, Chief Medical Advisor, BG Group Tel: +44 118 929 3144
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