Chicago to Face Genetic Bias Claims Over Worker Wellness Program

Two employees can sue the city of Chicago over its worker wellness program, which requires employees covered under the city’s health-care plan to participate for free or have $50 or more deducted monthly from their pay, a federal judge ruled.

Browgley Russell and James Burris stated plausible discrimination claims under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act because the lawsuit alleges they provided medical history information regarding their spouses as part of medical questionnaires required under the wellness program, the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said. GINA prohibits employers from obtaining genetic information about an employee or family ...