PHILADELPHIA - An unnamed HIV-positive plaintiff is suing Thermo Electric Company, Inc. and its officers alleging that he was discriminated against once the company discovered he was HIV-positive.
The suit was filed April 7 by attorney Justin F. Robinette on behalf of a John Doe plaintiff in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The suit alleges that the plaintiff was employed by the company for approximately 10 years prior to being demoted from a position as an application engineer to that of a quality control inspector in February 2020. The demotion allegedly resulted in a pay reduction and movement from a supervisory position to a non-supervisory position.
The suit further alleges that the plaintiff was then discharged by the company the following June, and alleges the discharge was related to his HIV status and sexual orientation.
The allegations are, in part, on conversations overheard by the plaintiff and a friend of the plaintiff that were conducted by officers of the company, according to court documents.
The suit alleges that between April and May 2020, the plaintiff called off from work, and was subject to a retaliatory discharge as a result.
The plaintiff is seeking full compensation for unpaid sick leave allegedly owed, the same amount as liquidated damages, back pay and benefits, as well as costs and attorney fees.