CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HIV/AIDS WORKPLACE POLICIES IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY OF ROYAL VAN ZANTEN (RVZ)

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the challenges of implementing HIV/AIDS workplace policy at Royal Van Zanten (RVZ). Specifically, the study assessed the effect of financial resources on the implementation of the workplace HIV/AIDS policy at RVZ; examined the effect of employee awareness about the contents of the HIV/AIDS policy on its implementation at RVZ; and assessed the effect of employee perceptions regarding the RVZ HIV/AIDS work place policy on its implementation. The study used a cross-sectional survey design in which both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used. The findings revealed that the limited financial resources made implementation of the workplace HIV/AIDS policy difficult. The findings also indicated that employees had limited awareness of the contents of the HIV/AIDS policy and this affected its implementation, and finally the study established that the overall, the employees had a negative perception of the RVZ HIV/AIDS Policy, which significantly affected its implementation. The study concluded with limited financial capability, implementation of the HIV/AIDS workplace policy may not be very successful. In addition, for as long as the employees for whom the policy is intended still hold negative perceptions of it, its implementation may not smoothly take off. Finally, limited awareness of the employees about the policy may imply that they may not seriously take heed to the policy requirements, therefore affecting its implementation. The researcher thus recommends that the RVZ should allocate adequate funds towards the implementation of the HIV/AIDS policy; senior management should commit to the development of the policy, its funding, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and accountability, since these are critical for the success of the process; and RVZ should strengthen efforts with regard to planned and regular awareness raising sessions, and involve all levels of staff, including support staff in the implementation of the policy.