Work and All That Jazz

Some things consume a big part of our life...work and sleep in particular consumes a big part of our lives. And that couldn't have been more true in my case the past two weeks.

I won't go into the details of what I've done at work. I'm sure it's as boring as your work (unless you're a pornstar or a Hollywood Star or both or somewhere in between). Suffice it to say, I had the most astonishingly loaded list of to-do-things at work the past two weeks. The energy at work was frenetic and the whole two weeks was tense. I even had to bring part of it home just to get them done. 

Pardon the gloating...although this is far from the normal gloating frenzy I would have done if this was my pre-HIV+ days. Back then, I would bitch like crazy about my boss who never failed to ruin my day at work.

But I have had time to reflect on my work and now it made sense why I work in that place. People who know me personally understands this perfectly. Working at my workplace gave me the chance to enjoy good healthcare benefits and it was at this hospital that I was diagnosed. So historically, my workplace isn't just a workplace. 

What I'm saying is, I still consider myself lucky. 

If it was some other company, I wouldn't know how they'd take my HIV status. But my boss handled it well. So did our HR and our company doctors and nurses. Together they have made it easier for me. In some cases, PLHIV had no way of knowing how their workmates would react. But at work, there was a quiet understanding. That nothing has changed really. I'm still as hardworking as ever...but more cautious maybe. 

Of course, this talk about work spawns a whole new list of questions for many of us PLHIVs.

On the top of the list of questions is: Should I stop work?

My answer is you should only stop working if your doctor advises you to stop. This means that your doctor deems that you're not fit enough to handle the stress at work and/or that you should stop working in order for you to recuperate from an illness. This could just be a temporary arrangement. But it is always wise to never abuse your body. Yes, you probably need to earn money but remember you won't profit from your work if all your hard-earned wages are spent to restore your health back.

I do  not recommend you stop working entirely. Sometimes unemployment breeds depression. With all the idle time one has when unemployed, it gives you the time to think and over-think things. Over-thinking is even more strenuous than doing actual work sometimes. Too much time spent thinking is not good for the health in general. Rest if you must. If you don't feel the need to work and you can live by with just the minimal employment at least do something worth your time...like participating in community activities.

How about disclosure? Is there a need one's HIV status at work? 

For Filipino PLHIVs you are not under any legal obligation to disclose your HIV status to your employer. Any discrimination arising from your HIV status at your workplace could be punishable by law. So if you experience any forms of discrimination at work, it best to consult your local HIV rights advocate or lawyer.

In my case, it was my own choice to disclose to a workmate. And the whole story about it will be revealed in due time. =D But do not disclose your HIV status if you are not comfortable talking about it. 

There are other issues that will arise in connection with your HIV status. Will medical insurance paid for by my employer cover my health expenses? Will my work put at a risk? Will my HIV status put any of my workmates or clients at risk? And as always, it is best to consult fellow PHLIVs before you do anything rush and cause irreversible changes.

Ultimately the choice to live a productive life is your own choice and not even your HIV status should prevent you from doing so. IMHO, I'd rather let my work consume my time than waste it dwelling on negativity.