Employers should be mindful of a newly recognized form of
discrimination that has captured the attention of legislators and
the Canadian public: genetic discrimination.
With companies like 23andMe, genetic testing has become
increasingly popular in recent years. Genetic tests may confirm a
diagnosis, indicate that a person is a carrier of a particular
genetic mutation, or identify an increased risk of developing a
certain disease. While this genetic information can help
individuals make informed decisions about their health and take
preventative action, there is some concern that this information
may be used by employers to the disadvantage of individuals. Might
it be used to refuse to hire someone, deny a promotion, or
terminate an employee?
