Subway is now facing a federal lawsuit after they fired an employee because he revealed to them that he was HIV positive.
Staff at the chain in Sheridan, Indiana, are now being sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after they let the unnamed man go.
When claimant told manager Maria Manawat he had the disease, he allegedly said in response: ‘What if you cut yourself? What if our customers find out?.
According to Fox 59 the manager also told the defendant she would have to speak with the district manager.
Then, about a month later, the manager called the defendant and said she felt like he might be a liability to the company and they were going to have to let him go.
He contacted the EEOC with the complaint.
Their actions, if true, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of a disability.
Laurie A. Young, regional attorney for EEOC’s Indianapolis District Office, said: ‘John Doe was a good employee who wanted to work, was fully capable of working and was experienced in the restaurant industry.
‘He was terminated solely because of stereotypes his employer had regarding persons with HIV. This is unlawful, and EEOC is here to fight such discrimination.’
The former is looking for back pay, punitive damages and compensation.
A statement from the EEOC read: ‘Subway, violated federal law by firing an employee after the employee disclosed his disability to his manager, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), charged in a lawsuit it filed yesterday. KAY QSRS operates five Subway franchise locations in Lebanon, Sheridan, Cicero and Indianapolis, Indiana. The franchisee is Shalinder Kular.
