Telling About HCV Infection at Work

[curiouslady1]

A cautionary tale.  Note the comments.  

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/12/post_70.html

[OdinLovesLife]

The degree of ignorance in that case is stunning. Horrible that it was allowed to continue. I always forgive people a little ignorance initially when they react awkwardly to my HCV status. It is understandable. But that story shows a case of very poor workplace management and culture. What a terrible company. Dentistry is a profession that you would expect to be well educated about infection control. I don't recall the article saying whether the ignorance came from the other office workers rather than the dentists and nurses but you would think they would have protocols in an organization like that it would apply unilaterally.

I think a lot of people are quietly "let go" when they have an illness. The employer expects, realistically or not, that it will affect performance. It is possible to legislate against work place discrimination like this, but does it drive the problem deeper underground? Glad the case is getting attention though.

A cautionary tale indeed...

[R Glass]

I have to admit, before being dx with HCV, I was totally ignorant concerning HIV. I looked at it as “The Gay Disease” and also thought it was transmitted through body fluids. After being dx with HCV I realized I could have just as easy been co-infected with HIV. Prior to being enlightened, I might have reacted the same way as his co-workers. Not out of harassment but out of ignorance.

[jules2551]

I actually had a very close friend who was HIV+ back in the 80s.  He was gay and his family were devout catholics.  He committed suicide because of the stigma relating to HIV back then and didn't want to tell his parents he was gay.  While speaking to his parents at the funeral they told me they knew he was gay and wish they had said something.  His mother's guilt for not saying anything to him was relentless.  She regretted it until the day she died.  

I just can't believe it STILL goes on today.  What a shame!

I actually told my cousins last night about Hep C.  I have to say I do feel better and they were actually supportive.  I have to admit I was surprised but relieved.

Jules

[fretboard]

Serves that stupid Great Expressions right!!  Idiots!!  It's hard to believe that everyone there was so stuck on stupid that they would allow that type of discrimination to go on.  Hopefully the people at the very top pay through the nose for that type of krapp.

[Mary4now]

I did get this petition to sign on facebook and I was disgusted at the way this person was treated,  all the people in this clinic should be fired and forced to attend classes on communicable diseases and the doctor well he should go back to school and forced to attend sensitivity trainings.  what idiots in this day and age to behave like that.....  

[nygirl7]

Thanks H that is a very interesting article. It's just such a shame that in this day and age people are still treated like this = but as we know it's nothing new and not about to change soon.

[orphanedhawk]

In the 80s I helped care for a friend who was dying of AIDS.
Someone came to visit and started telling me to use bleach in the dish water, to serve my ill friend on separate dishes and always wear gloves.
Not that much was known about AIDs in those days but I refused to treat my dear friend with anything other than dignity. For my safety, I rely on common sense.

Ironically, my very ill friend was more worried than I was.

[hrsepwrguy]

Here are some of the ignorant comments, there were many going in the other way though about 50/50

With the nature of this business I have to disagree.
I would not want someone with HIV working on my mouth. HIV is transmitted in bodily fluids and this would be risky. I do not agree with this person being harassed but mabe he should apply for a more appropriate job that does not put others at risk.


Have you been to a great expressions office recently? If not I suggest you do before you provide comments like you did. These billing people wander all over the place and were actually in the room where I was having some dental work asking me questions about the fee ayment. I was mad at the time, but I knew these individuals had AIDS, I would have run for ther door and asked for my money back.

Don't like the idea of harassment either, neither would I define a hygienist's contact with a dental patient as "casual". Not the right line of work for someone with that terrible affliction.

[curiouslady1]

Thanks hrspwrguy, I am sorry I cannot pull up the comments but they are very revealing and show just how backward many people are on this subject.  

[hrsepwrguy]

More than 2000 people have signed a Change.org online petition demanding the Great Expressions Dental Centers apologize and pay restitution for allegedly harassing an HIV positive former employee.  


According to James White, who worked at one of Great Expressions’ metro Detroit offices as a billing clerk, he was forbidden to touch doorknobs and followed around by co-workers with Lysol after informing his employer that he had HIV. Following seven months of this treatment, White claims he was fired shortly before he was to return from medical leave.
There is unequivocal scientific evidence that HIV cannot be contacted through casual contract.  


White recently received a “right to sue” letter following a lengthy Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation. His lawyers are in the process of filing an anti-discrimination lawsuit.  


The petition was started by James Harris, a University of Oklahoma student. It reads, in part: "These acts were not ordered out of concern for public safety, but rather were sheer acts of unfounded hatred and inequity.  


"We will not stand for this. We demand the immediate resignation of the regional director of Great Expressions Dental in Detroit for discriminatory tactics and hindrance of employment equal opportunity. Furthermore, we demand that reparations be paid in full to Mr. White for the entirety of what is being asked."


A voicemail was left this afternoon with Michael Galperin, a vice-president of marketing for Great Expressions. According to previous reports, Great Expressions does not discuss issues involving current or former employers

This is what came up for me it concerns HIV but I guess HCV people could be subject to the same harassment

[EyesofBlue55]

Good article.Its really a shame about the harassment people endure when there is a disease involved.What is even sadder is these people that are harassing dont have a clue about the germs they come in contact with on a daily basis(doors,elevator buttons,shopping carts etc)Most people are uneducated about the diseases they fear the most. Pure Ignorance!!!!!

[nygirl7]

Can you  copy and paste it in here it will not pull the page up for me, only the headers.