Group rights and the right to protection against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection from an industrial relations and public policy perspective.

This paper reflects on the right of protection against HIV infection versus group rights. Various pieces of legislation that recognise group rights are discussed throughout the paper. In so doing the authors have attempted to illustrate that although South African legislation may not clearly demarcate group rights to specific groups, legislators have inadvertently made countless reference to specific groups or grouping of individuals, which suggest that group rights may exist. It is postulated that if individual rights exist, group rights may correspondently co-exist. The aim of this paper is to explore the feasibility of individuals relying on group rights as a means of seeking protection against HIV/AIDS infection

The use of posters in disseminating HIV/AIDS awareness information within higher education institutions

HIV/AIDS continues to destroy individuals and communities within Africa. The need to explore creative forms of awareness information dissemination remains necessary. Posters continue to present a cheap alternative to expensive mass media campaigns. However, the effectiveness of posters in disseminating HIV/AIDS awareness information is difficult to ascertain. Designers of posters aim for visual appeal, with the intention that the posters attract the attention of target audience. Studies on how often posters are being noticed at universities, has not been undertaken. Studies have been undertaken to determine the use of posters within waiting rooms and emergency centres however, these environments allow for time to peruse unlike university corridors. This paper examines the visibility of posters at a university in order to determine the effectiveness of the use of posters in disseminating HIV/AIDS awareness information

Evaluating HIV/AIDS programme within South African universities

This paper presents the occasion to consider the need and benefit of evaluating HIV/AIDS programmes within South African universities. The emergence of the need for workplace policy has resulted in a barrage of HIV workplace policies saturating the workplace. The International Labour Organisation and Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) have made recommendations as to points, which policy and decision makers should consider in the development of national policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS. Many Higher Education Institution policy makers have yet to question the need and benefits of an HIV/AIDS programme. This paper further suggests that an HIV/AIDS programme should be followed by an evaluation that would determine the effectiveness of such programme

Intergroup conflict within a South African mining company

The uncertainty that accompanies organizational change heightens prospects for intra-organizational conflict. Notwithstanding this, the knowledge base on the sources (or causes) of organizational conflict is underdeveloped – largely as a result of a low incidence of empirical research, and in particular in South Africa. The current study explored the perceived sources of intergroup conflict in a South African mining company. The aim of this research is to investigate intergroup conflict and to look into how intergroup conflict influences employment relations throughout all levels of the organization. From a probability population of 1000 in the twelve departments a random sample of 200 employees was chosen to participate in the research. This number represents 20% of the total population. Intergroup conflict was analysed and evaluated. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations made on the occurrence of intergroup conflict based on the findings of the literature and empirical study. Data frequencies, correlations and a correlation analysis were performed through the SPSS programme

Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing at a university in South Africa

The increasing prevalence rates of HIV amongst South Africans 20 years and above, raises a concern as to the rising trend of the epidemic in similar age group within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS), in conjunction with HEIs and the South African government have undertaken to implement HIV/AIDS workplace programmes within universities in South Africa. Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is a critical component of most universities HIV/AIDS workplace programmes. The rationale for promoting VCT is to encourage testing. An uptake in testing offers a crucial benefit, participants become aware of their status, and in most instances this awareness leads to safer sexual practices which in turn help reduce the number of new infections. A dominate sequential explanatory mixed methodology was adopted for the study. However, the quantitative method was dominant in the mixed method. A sample size of 739 respondents responded to the flouted questionnaire during the quantitative phase. This was followed by the qualitative interview of which 14 participants answered the semi structured interview questions. The findings revealed that more respondents are aware of the availability of VCT sessions, when compared to the number of respondents who actually participated in the testing. It was further disclosed in the findings that awareness of the availability of VCT sessions at the university unfortunately does not amount to testing and thus does not result in the intended changes sought after by HEAIDS or the Department of Education. Research suggests that HEIs are not really helping students to realise their right to remain HIV negative. HEIs need to be concerned, and HIV/AIDS institutional offices, in particular, need to revisit the VCT with the intention of re-attracting student and staff participation</jats:p