ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At least two decades has passed since the HIV/AIDS epidemic took roots. To date the Africa continent
still has the greatest number of infections and deaths. Businesses and economies have been hard hit by the
disease which has a negative effect on the workforce and labour-markets. The disease causes and results
in an escalating decrease in profits and productivity whereby markets are forced into an economic
decline. The societal wellbeing which is vital for a healthy economy is negatively affected. Businesses
owe it to their employees to help deal with the worst health crisis the world has seen since at least 10-40%
of the workforce is likely to be infected with HIV. The impact and potential impact of HIV/AIDS differs
from one company to the next because HIV/AIDS has become a serious threat to all industries.
Employers and employees both experience an increasingly difficult time due to the changing environment
in which they must operate as a result of HIV/AIDS. Employers and line functions must deal with the
sensitive issue of managing HIVAIDS infected employees and all the concerns surrounding this disease.
This research investigates the role of knowledge amongst all the employees within an organization,
focusing on those employees based at the national office in Gauteng. It is necessary for the researcher to
conduct a survey within the organization to investigate the extent of current existing knowledge of HIV
and AIDS amongst the workforce on various levels. The research is necessary so that any workshops,
programmes and policies that focus on HIV/AIDS take into consideration the knowledge gaps that exist.
Dealing with HIV/AIDS in any organization is surely a difficult road to walk initially but the
Organization itself may come to be regarded as precious in itself, as a source of pride, and in some sense
unique when all is said and done i.e. when all members are educated, informed and aware of HIV/AIDS
(Wikipedia. 2009, 1).
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingsprojek ondersoek die kennisvlakke van werknemers binne ‘n onderneming in die nieinformele
sektor in Gauteng Provinsie.
Nadat ‘n omvattende literatuurstudie gedoen is, is ‘n Likert-tipe beoordelingskaal ontwikkel om
kennisvlakke ten opsigte van MIV/Vigs by werknemers te toets. Resultate toon aan dat die kennisvlakke
van werknemers relatief hoog is in die meeste afdelings van die organisasie.
Daar is egter nog sekere areas wat dringend aandag moet geniet deur middel van , onder andere,
werknemers bewusmakingsprogramme.
Voorstelle ter verbetering van die bestuur van MIV/Vigs binne die organisasie word aan die hand gedoen.
