Question
Is there a problem working as a waiter and being HIV-positive?
30 October 2009. Related: All topics.
A Thai friend of mine applied for a job as a waiter and some other jobs within a hotel in Thailand. After they requested a HIV test, he was too afraid to reveal his status so didn’t contiinue with the interview process.
Is there a problem having HIV and being a waiter and also working in a hotel in general, having customer contact? Or is it only in some countries?
Answer
There shouldn’t be a problem working as a waiter. In majority of the countries it is absolutely fine. In fact, in many countries the employer cannot force you to get tested and it is quite strange that your friend has been asked for that.
I am not quite aware of the regulations in Thailand, but in the UK, all testing is (or supposedly should be) voluntary and confidential. Same goes for the EU.
Some employers misinterpret the regulations and go against the law by asking people for a test in certain countries and if this is the case with your friend, then he may decide to pursue the issue. An advice from a local advocacy group or patients’ organisation could be very useful in that respect.
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