Academy for Eating Disorders opposes Equal Employment Opportunity Commission policy

The Academy for Eating Disorders recently announced that it opposes a proposed policy interpretation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that would allow employers to inquire about an employee’s private genetic and medical information.

According to the academy, this type of information is unrelated to an employee’s ability to do their job and may penalize employees who choose to keep their information private. Individuals with eating disorders are particularly vulnerable if forced to participate in wellness programs and screenings that may violate privacy.

“The proposed policy interpretation violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is intended to protect all Americans from workplace discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA prohibits employers from subjecting employees to medical inquiries and examinations that are not job-related, unless those inquiries are voluntary and asked as part of an employee health program,” the academy wrote in a press release.

Sixty-eight organizations signed a letter opposing the policy and sent it to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on June 19.

For more information:

Visit http://www.aedweb.org/web/index.php to read more about the Academy for Eating Disorder’s position on this issue.