A class action lawsuit alleges Ascension Health asked potential employees to provide genetic information in the form of family medical history during the hiring process.
Rebecca Chaplin is the named plaintiff in the complaint against Ascension Health, a private healthcare system. The class would be all current and former employees in Illinois.
The suit claims Ascension Health violated the Illinois Legislature Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) by asking its employees to provide genetic information in the form of family medical history during the hiring process.
The complaint states that Ascension Health uses this information as part of its hiring protocol to make employment decisions, which is a direct violation of GIPA. This law prohibits employers from requesting or using genetic information in hiring, firing, demoting or determining work assignments or classifications of applicants or employees.
Chaplin seeks an order requiring Ascension Health to cease these unlawful activities in addition to compensatory damages to herself and other similarly situated employees.