HIV/AIDS in the Barbados workplace: one company’s dilemma 2004-57.1

On 20 June 2004, George Hope, the General Manager of Caron Foods, a major manufacturing company in Barbados, faced the challenge of having to deal with the death of one of his employees – Maxine Cave – who had died of AIDS. George Hope was informed about the cause of death by a fellow employee in the Production Department who lived in Maxine’s neighbourhood. He, along with other staff, had heard rumours and had noticed that she had become quite thin. Even though she had been absent from work for long periods, they never imagined the seriousness of the illness – which she had chosen not to disclose to anyone in the organisation. Rather than face the stigma and discrimination associated with this illness, she had chosen to resign.

This case can be used to discuss the value, content and intent of a company policy about the management of employees who have, or are suspected of having, AIDS.