Hepatitis B in the Workplace Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines on implementing the provisions of the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Advisory No. 5 known as “Guidelines for the
Implementation of a Workplace Policy and Program on Hepatitis B”.

Policy

Telephilippines, Inc. (Company) commits to uphold the health and well-being of its employees and shall
implement programs and initiatives to raise awareness among all employees and reduce the risk of
transmission of Hepatitis B in the workplace. Likewise, the Company shall support the government’s
policy on Hepatitis B as defined in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department
Advisory (DA) No. 5.

The Company shall ensure that Hepatitis B positive employees and applicants are treated with respect
and equality and accorded protection against discrimination.

Coverage

This policy covers all Telephilippines, Inc. employees and applicants applying for employment with
Telephilippines Inc.

Definitions

Hepatitis B Disease - is an infection of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV).1

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) - is transmitted through exposure to infected blood, semen, and other body
fluids. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family
member to infant in early childhood. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV-
contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, through
injection drug use1 and through unprotected sex with an infected person.
Guidelines

A. Education and Awareness

A.1 The Company, in coordination with the Clinic Management vendor, shall provide all employees with
basic information, education, and health risk and prevention programs related to Hepatitis B.
A.1.1 Information campaigns shall include:
A.1.1.1 Nature, diagnosis and transmission of Hepatitis B
A.1.1.2 Prevention, treatment and referral of Hepatitis B infected employee.
A.1.1.3 Impact of illness on an individual, family, community and the workplace.
A.1.1.4 Workplace policy and programs on Hepatitis B.
A.1.1.5 Salient features of national laws and policies related to Hepatitis B2.
A.1.2 Hepatitis B awareness programs shall be communicated through the following official
communication channels:
A.1.2.1 Employee Online Resources and Assistance Center (TPLink)
A.1.2.2 Health bulletins, site clinic bulletin boards,TPNews, etc.
A.1.2.3 CCMS Mass Communications
A.1.2.4 Self-learning materials such as flyers, brochures, ELPs, etc.
A.1.2.5 Company Intranet site (mytpnet.com)

B. Preventive Strategies

The following measures shall be adopted in order to prevent Hepatitis B infection in the workplace.

B.1 The Company shall provide adequate hygienic facilities, containment and proper disposal of
infectious and potentially contaminated materials within the site clinic and other sensitive areas.
B.2 If the situation warrants, the Company may launch a Hepatitis B vaccination program in coordination
with the Clinic Management vendor.

C. Screening, Diagnosis and Referral for other Services

C.1 Hepatitis B screening shall not be a mandatory requirement for anapplicant’s pre-employment
medical examination.
C.2 The Company shall not require an employee known to have or perceived to be Hepatitis B positive to
undergo Hepatitis B screening as a pre-condition of promotion, assignment or transfer, eligibility to
company benefits, etc. The Company shall however encourage voluntary testing for interested
employees.
C.3 Employees who are Hepatitis B positive may inform the Company physician of their Hepatitis B
status, if their work activities may increase the risk of Hepatitis B infection to progress or if proven to put
other employees at risk, for proper referral to the HMO provider or appropriate health care services
provider for proper medical attention

D. Work Accommodation and Non-Discrimination

D.1 An employee with Hepatitis B infection or is suffering from Hepatitis B-related illnesses shall be
afforded, whenever possible, the necessary work accommodations such as change of work schedule, rest
day or flexible leave of absence arrangement or location transfer whenever necessary so as not to
aggravate his/her health condition.
D.2 Applicants/employees with Hepatitis B or suspected to have Hepatitis B shall be given equal rights
and opportunities based on their ability to perform the functions of the job. An applicant/ employee’s
Hepatitis B status shall not be a criterion for:
D.2.1 Promotion, training and development
D.2.2 Participation in company activities
D.2.3 Access to company facilities or benefits
D.2.4 Access to regular HMO benefits as provided under company policy.
D.3 An employee with Hepatitis B shall not be declared unfit to work unless appropriate medical
evaluation, counselling and medical documents have been submitted.
D.4 An employee shall not be terminated based on his/her Hepatitis B status. If the employee becomes
unfit to perform his/her task, he/she shall submit a doctor’s assessment and shall be processed in
accordance with the relevant company policy, Social Services System (SSS) rules or Article 298 of the
labor Code of the Philippines for separation due to illness, if the situation warrants.
D.5 An employee who refused to work with, harass or discriminate a co-worker who is known to have or
perceived to have Hepatitis B infection or Hepatitis B-related illness, shall be subjected to the
appropriate corrective action in accordance with the provision of the Company’s Code of Conduct.
D.6 If an employee feels that he/she has been discriminated against based on his/her illness, he/she
should report the incident to the Ethics Committee for investigation. The committee shall treat the
employee’s health status with utmost confidentiality. Email: Ethics@teleperformance.com

E. Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure

E.1 Under no circumstances are applicants or employees required to disclose their Hepatitis B status.
E.2 If an applicant or employee chooses to disclose his/her Hepatitis B status, this information shall be
treated with utmost confidentiality. The Company shall ensure that access to personal data such as
medical documents relating to an applicant/employee’s Hepatitis B status shall be bound by the rules of
confidentiality and shall be strictly limited to authorized employees only.
Management Prerogatives
Management reserves the right to issue amendments to these guidelines should there be applicable laws
that will be subsequently promulgated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or
appropriate government agencies, revising, amending or nullifying Department Advisory No. 5, series of
2010 (Guidelines for the Implementation of a Workplace Policy and Program on Hepatitis B) or should
circumstances warrant.
This policy supersedes all previous policies, practices, or procedures of similar nature promulgated prior
to the effective date of this policy.