Workplace Policy and Program On Hepatitis B

WORKPLACE POLICY AND PROGRAM ON HEPATITIS B

SACRED HEART COLLEGE is committed to conform to the established standards assurance of customer satisfaction, protection of our environment and health and safety in the workplaces.

The company promotes and ensures a healthy environment through its various health programs to safeguard its employees. And as part of the school’s compliance to DOLE Department Advisory No. 05, Series of 2010 (Guidelines for the Implementation of a Workplace Policy and Program on Hepatitis B), this Program has been developed. This program is aimed to address the stigma attached to hepatitis B and to ensure that the employees’ right against discrimination and confidentiality is maintained.

This guideline is formulated for everybody’s information and reference for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Hepatitis B. This will inform the employees of their role as well as the company in dealing with Hepatitis B. A healthy environment encompasses a good working relationship and great output for continuous business growth.

I. Implementing Structure

The Hepatitis B workplace policy and program of SACRED HEART COLLEGE shall be managed by its health and safety committee. Each division or department of the school shall be duly represented.

II. Basic Information on Hepatitis B

1. What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver.

2. How is it being transmitted?

The virus is transmitted through contact into blood and other body fluids of an infected person but not through casual contact.

3. Preventive

There is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV but is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine.

III. Guidelines

A. Education

· Coverage. All employees regardless of employment status may avail of hepatitis B education services for free;

· Hepatitis B education shall be conducted through distribution and posting of IEC materials and counselling and/ or lectures; and

· Hepatitis B education shall be spearheaded by the SACRED HEART COLLEGE Health and Wellness Center in close coordination with the health and safety committee.

B. Preventive Strategies

· Employees with a risk of Hepatitis B transmission in the workplace in the workplace are required to be immunized against Hepatitis B such as allied health faculty, clinic staff and food handlers.

· Documentation of immunization status will become part of permanent employees’ file of the school.

· The school shall encourage all employees to be vaccinated against Hepatitis-B.

III. Social Policy

A. Non-discriminatory Policy and Practices

· There shall be no discrimination of any form against employees on the basis of their Hepatitis B status consistent with the international agreements on non- discrimination ratified by the Philippines (ILO C111). Employees shall not be discriminated against, from pre to post employment, including hiring, promotion or assignment because of their hepatitis B status.

· Workplace management of sick employees shall not differ from that of any other illness. Persons with Hepatitis B related illnesses may work for as long as they are medically fit to work and shall not be declared unfit to work without appropriate medical evaluation and counselling.

· Workers shall not be terminated on the basis of the actual perceived or supposed Hepatits-B status.

B. Confidentiality

Job applicants and employees shall not be compelled to disclose their Hepatitis B status and other related medical information. Co-employees shall not be obliged to reveal any personal information about their fellow employees. Access to personal data relating to employee’s Hepatitis B status shall be bound by the rules on confidentiality and shall be strictly limited to medical personnel or if legally required.

C. Work-Accommodation and Arrangement

· The school shall take measures to reasonably accommodate employees who are Hepatitis B positive or with Hepatitis B - related illnesses.

· Through agreements made between management and employees’ representative, measures to support employees with Hepatitis B are encouraged to work through flexible leave arrangements, rescheduling of working time and arrangement for return to work.

D. Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral to Health Care Services

· The school shall establish a referral system and provide access to diagnostic and treatment services for its employees for appropriate medical evaluation/ monitoring and management.

· Adherence to the guidelines for healthcare providers on the evaluation of Hepatitis B positive employees is highly encouraged.

· Screening for Hepatitis B as a prerequisite to employment shall not be mandatory.

E. Compensation

The school shall provide access to Social Security System and Employees Compensation benefits under PD 626 to an employee contracted with Hepatitis B infection in the performance of his duty.

IV. Roles and Responsibilities of Employers and Employees

A. Employer’s Responsibilities

· Management, together with employees’ organizations, school focal personnel for human resources, and safety and health personnel shall develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the workplace policy and program on Hepatitis B.

· The Health and Safety Committee shall ensure that their school policy and program is adequately funded and made known to all employees.

· The Human Resources Department shall ensure that their policy and program adheres to existing legislations and guidelines, including provisions on leaves, benefits and insurance.

· Management shall provide information, education and training on Hepatitis B for its workforce consistent with the standardized basic information package developed by the Hepatitis B TWG; if not available within the establishment, then provide access to information.

· The school shall ensure non-discriminatory practices in the workplace.

· The management together with the school focal personnel for human resources and safety and health shall provide appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent Hepatitis B exposure, especially for employees exposed to potentially contaminated blood or body fluid.

· The Health and Safety Committee, together with the employees’ organizations shall jointly review the policy and program for effectiveness and continue to improve these by networking with government and organizations promoting Hepatitis B prevention.

· The school shall ensure confidentiality of the health status of its employees, including those with Hepatitis B.

· The human resources shall ensure that access to medical records is limited to authorized personnel.

B. Employees Responsibilities

· The employees’ organization is required to undertake an active role in educating and training their members on Hepatitis B prevention and control. The IEC program must also aim at promoting and practicing a healthy lifestyle with emphasis on avoiding high risk behavior and other risk factors that expose employees to increased risk of Hepatitis B infection, consistent with the standardized basic information package developed by the Hepatitis B TWG.

· Employees shall practice non-discriminatory acts against co-employees on the ground of Hepatitis B status.

· Employees and their organizations shall not have access to personnel data relating to an employee’s Hepatitis B status. The rules of confidentiality shall apply in carrying out union and organization functions.

· Employees shall comply with the universal precaution and the preventive measures.

· Employees with Hepatitis B may inform the health care provider or the school physician on their Hepatitis B status, that is, if their work activities may increase the risk of Hepatitis B infection and transmission or put the Hepatitis B positive at risk for aggravation.

V. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

Within the establishment, the implementation of the policy and program shall be monitored and evaluated periodically. The safety and health committee or its counterpart shall be tasked for this purpose.

VI. EFFECTIVITY

This Policy shall take effect immediately and shall be made known to all employees.

Sr. Maria Luisa B. Javier, DC Arnel L. Cadeliña

President Employee’s Representative