In an ongoing situation, the Detroit office of Great Expressions Dental Centers is facing allegations from a former employee that he was subjected to discrimination and treated unfairly because he is HIV positive.

After investigating the situation and the employment law it pertains to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is allowing the former employee to sue. However, Great Expressions has filed a counter-suit, hoping for a dismissal.

According to the dental center's former employee, he was treated unfairly because he is HIV-positive. He claimed he was not allowed to touch doorknobs in the office and was constantly asked to use disinfectants. In his support, a university student created an online petition in which he sought signatures calling for the company to settle the dispute in favor of the ex-employee.

Great Expressions was successful in having the petition removed from the website Change.org. The company issued a statement through its attorney saying that the petition "unlawfully infringed on our client's rights to be free from defamatory attacks." The company's vice president of human resources added that allegations made in the online petition were not true.

The former employee of Great Expressions is expected to file a lawsuit.

Great Expressions' situation clearly highlights the importance of having documentation available that clearly defines the relationship between an employer and its employees. Establishing such clarity can go a long way toward preventing major problems like this one. Businesses that are hoping to create better employment contracts or employee handbooks may find it helpful to speak with an experienced business law attorney.

Source: mlive.com, "Great Expressions shuts down online petition with lawsuit threat, petitions court to dismiss case against HIV+ ex-employee," Jeff T. Wattrick, Dec. 22, 2011