James Williams, an animation technician who had worked at
Universal Studios Hollywood since 2022, has sued NBCUniversal under
California's Fair Employment and Housing Act. Williams claims
that after his employer reprimanded him for missing work due to
illness, he was fired two days after submitting paperwork for
intermittent leave under California's Family Rights Act based
on his HIV status. The case is Williams v.
NBCUniversal LLC et al., Case Number 24STCV18962,
Superior Court for the State of California in the County of Los
Angeles.
Due to his HIV status and the medication needed to treat his
condition, Williams occasionally missed work due to illness.
However, he did his best to work through the various side effects,
which included severe headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, and
vomiting. After his supervisor reprimanded him for missing work,
Williams divulged his HIV status to his supervisor, who reportedly
told him that it should not affect his ability to show
