Genetic Testing Case Settled - Law a Question

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced yesterday that Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. have agreed to pay $2.2 million to 36 employees the railroad sought to genetically test in secret. This settles the first federal challenge involving workplace genetic testing and privacy. The Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad was accused in February 2001 of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by testing or attempting to genetically test workers without their knowledge after they had submitted work-related injury claims. The suit came about when Gary Avary, a track ...