Williams College Employee Handbook
Faculty Handbook . | . Administrative Staff Handbook . | . Support Staff Handbook
AIDS Policy
The College policy, when Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or infection with the HIV virus (as indicated by a positive antibody test) has been diagnosed in an employee, is that standard medical rules of confidentiality will apply; i.e., the privacy of the employee will be protected in accordance with the procedures stated below. This policy applies also to any external requests for information about an employee, such as applications for health insurance, references, et al.
Prospective and present employees are not required to report diseases to the College. Should the fact that an employee has AIDS or is HIV-positive come to the attention of the Director of Health, the Director will confer with the employee to make sure that an appropriate medical care plan has been established with the employee's primary physician, but the College will ordinarily take no administrative action regarding the employee. Should the employee wish to have his or her medical condition known to others, the employee may do so. Since AIDS is a reportable disease, the Director of Health must confirm that the Massachusetts Public Health Service has been informed.
A diagnosis of AIDS/HIV-positive by itself is not a clinical cause for termination or for a change in conditions of employment, including location of employment. The concern of the College shall be for the employee and his/her risk of exposure to primary and secondary infections. In cases of requests by fellow employees for changes in jobs for fear of acquiring AIDS, the person with AIDS or HIV-positive diagnosis will not be displaced, and the fellow employee(s) will be provided with education and counseling about the disease. No transfer should be assumed.
Any judgment about an employee's continuation at the College based on his/her health or risk to others will be made by the Director of Health in consultation with the appropriate supervisor, Director of Human Resources, members of the President's Senior Staff, and legal counsel.
Ordinarily, information about an employee with AIDS or who is HIV-positive will be given to no other person or office at the College without the employee's permission. Should the Director of Health feel that others need to be informed, he/she will work with the employee in a confidential manner to encourage the employee to inform that person or office.
The medical staff of the College Health Services is available to answer questions from any member of the Williams community about AIDS/HIV and to discuss antibody testing. Health Services will provide medical treatment to students and will refer employees to other primary care physicians with whom they may develop a medical care plan. Area physicians and dentists are available for referral and treatment. Other area medical services available to those with AIDS or who are HIV-positive are the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Northern Berkshire, the North Adams Regional Hospital, and the Berkshire Medical Center. Additional referral and counseling services include the American Red Cross in Pittsfield and the Bennington AIDS Project.
Individuals with questions or concerns should feel free to contact the Director of Health, the Health Educator, the Director of Human Resources, the Dean of the College, the Vice President for Operations, the Dean of the Faculty, or the Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action and Government Relations. Additional information can be obtained by referring to "What Everyone Should Know about AIDS," which is available through the College Health Services.
Faculty Handbook . | . Administrative Staff Handbook . | . Support Staff Handbook
