An American Express executive was fired for being HIV-positive, he claims.
Brett Knight, 41, had worked for American Express since 1990.
Although he was HIV-positive throughout his employment, Knight said he didn’t have a problem at the Financial District office until he started working with a new supervisor, Michael Slover, last summer.
When Knight took a sick leave due to complications from his condition, doctors reported his HIV status and sexual orientation on a Family Medical Leave Act application.
Although Knight was approved for a two-month sick leave, Slover discovered his employee’s sexual orientation and HIV status.
That’s when things got ugly, Knight said.
Slover allegedly refused to shake Knight’s hand or touch any papers or objects Knight had handled, wouldn’t enter Knight’s cubicle, and would talk to his employee only from “a safe distance,” Knight claims in a lawsuit he filed Wednesday against American Express in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“It’s been the most horrific experience of my life,” Knight said.
In July, Knight lost his job, which the company blamed on the need to reduce its work force; Knight, who is still out of work, declared the move “a pretext” for his alleged unlawful termination.
American Express declined to comment.