Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Ford employment class action overview:
- Who: Three people who applied to work at Ford Motor Co. are suing the automaker.
- Why: The plaintiffs say Ford violates Illinois law by asking job applicants about family medical histories, and potentially using that information to make employment decisions.
- Where: The Ford employment class action was filed in an Illinois state court.
Three people hired in Ford’s Chicago assembly plant say the automaker illegally asked them for their family medical histories before offering them a job, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Lead plaintiffs Cayla Page, Theresa Blashaw and Kiana Bowles filed the class action complaint against Ford Motor Co. on Jan. 27 in an Illinois state court, alleging violations of the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA).
According to the lawsuit, Ford asks job applicants to provide their family medical history in order to make a decision on who is hired.
However, this practice is in violation of GIPA, which prohibits employers from directly or indirectly requesting protected medical information and using it in employment decisions such as hiring, firing, demoting or determining work assignments, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs say they believe Ford asks for applicants’ family medical history in order to avoid liability for workplace injuries and deaths caused by genetic conditions.
The genetic conditions that could come up in family medical history include hypertension, cancer, heart conditions, diabetes and stroke, which Ford allegedly believes “could be inherited and that could be exacerbated by workplace conditions, especially if these conditions are high stress or physically demanding,” the plaintiffs say.
Applicants did not provide authorization for Ford to use their genetic information, lawsuit states
Before the plaintiffs were hired they were required to submit their family medical histories during a pre-employment physical with Ford’s in-house medical provider, the lawsuit states.
The automaker asked the applicants to disclose conditions that family members had been diagnosed with.
None of the plaintiffs provided prior, voluntary and written authorization to Ford for the use of their genetic information, as required by Illinois law, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs seek to represent anyone who was employed by Ford or applied for a job at Ford within the last five years and who was asked by Ford or an agent of the automaker for genetic information, such as a family medical history, as part of the application process.
They seek damages under GIPA of $2,500 for every negligent violation of the act, and $15,000 for every willful violation, the complaint states.
Meanwhile, Ford was responsible for the most vehicle recalls in the U.S. during 2022, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What do you think of the allegations against Ford in this case? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by Edward Wallace, Mark Miller and Molly Wells of Wallace
The Ford class action lawsuit is Page et al. v. Ford Motor Co., Case No. 2023CH00878, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
