> guess I should get specific (now that I know what I'm looking for)
>
> a question on a test asks something about can a person be fired for having
> AIDS/HIV??
>
> and I need to back this up with FLORIDA statutes ( I have found the
> statutes page..just can't find anything specific about being fired for
> having AIDS..i did find something about sickle cell though)
> --Cherié--
> http://www.cbsites.com
Of course, what the real question should be is "Are there any legal
consequences for firing a person with AIDS?" And the answer is yes.
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) has been used to
successfully seek redress against employers who fire employees simply
because of HIV status. Note that the ADA requires employers of a
certain size (you'll have to look it up, but I think it's now five or
more employees) to make "reasonable accommodation" to those with
disability. As long as the person can do the job (which can be for
months or years after the diagnosis), then there is some legal
protection under the ADA. In addition, there are state laws that
reinforce that.
You might want to check Florida law at
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Mode=Search%20Statutes&Submenu=2&Tab=statutes
for "disability" as a keyword. You could also contact your local
disability rights organizations. One good place to find them is
through the National Council for Indedependent Living at
http://www.ncil.org .
Strictly speaking: Yes, of course, a person can be fired for having
AIDS. A person can be fired for *anything.* But that doesn't mean
that there aren't real and potentially very expensive consequences
for the employer.
