Compass Group Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Genetic Privacy Violations

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Compass Group violated Illinois privacy laws by requiring job applicants to disclose family medical history without informing them of their right to refuse. 

Consumers Affected: Job applicants in Illinois who were asked to disclose family medical history by Compass Group.  

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division

A major food services company is facing legal trouble for allegedly prying into job applicants' genetic history. A lawsuit filed in Illinois claims Compass Group USA violated state privacy laws by requiring prospective employees to disclose family medical histories—without informing them they had the right to refuse.

The lawsuit, brought by job applicant Megan Gibson, alleges that Compass routinely asks candidates for genetic information as part of its hiring process, a practice prohibited under the Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA). The law, designed to prevent discrimination based on genetics, prohibits employers from requesting or requiring genetic details from applicants.

Compass Accused of Violating Genetic Privacy Laws in Hiring Process

Gibson applied for a job at a Compass location in La Grange, Illinois, in August 2021, according to the lawsuit. As part of the application process, she was required to undergo a physical examination and answer questions about her family’s medical history.

The lawsuit states that Compass asked whether her relatives had conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease—questions that fall under the category of genetic information. Feeling compelled to comply, Gibson disclosed details about her family’s health history.

The complaint argues that Compass not only gathered genetic data but also failed to inform applicants of their right to withhold such information, making the alleged violations even more egregious.

Lawsuit Alleges Compass Group Illegally Collected Genetic Information from Job Applicants

Illinois enacted GIPA in 1998 to regulate how genetic information is used, stored, and shared. The law was strengthened in 2008 amid growing concerns that employers could use genetic data to discriminate against workers—for example, by avoiding hiring someone whose family has a history of expensive medical conditions.

Under GIPA, employers are strictly prohibited from:

• Soliciting, requesting, or requiring genetic information from job applicants.
• Using genetic data in hiring decisions.
• Retaliating against employees who refuse to disclose genetic details.

Despite these protections, Gibson’s lawsuit alleges Compass flouted these rules, potentially exposing the company to significant financial penalties. 

Other Companies Face Lawsuits Over Employment Practices

The Compass lawsuit is part of a larger wave of employment-related legal battles. Walgreens has been accused of violating Massachusetts hiring laws in a class action lawsuit that accuses the company of failing to inform job applicants of their rights regarding lie detector tests. The pharmacy giant is accused of omitting a legally required disclaimer, violating state law.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit against aerospace giant RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon) claims the company systematically excluded older job seekers by prioritizing “early career hiring.” The case alleges violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

A federal judge is also scrutinizing Workday, a major HR software provider, in a potential class action lawsuit over artificial intelligence-driven hiring discrimination in a case that could set a precedent on how companies use AI to screen applicants.

In the Compass job applicant genetic privacy class action lawsuit, Gibson wants to represent anyone in Illinois who had their family medical history or other genetic information solicited, requested, or required as a condition of applying for employment by Compass Group. She is suing for violations, which allows for damages of $15,000 for each reckless or intentional violation of GIPA, or alternatively, $2,500 for each negligent violation of GIPA. 

Case Details:

• Lawsuit: Gibson v. Compass Group USA, Inc.
• Case Number: 2025CH00769
• Court: In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys:

• Carl V. Malmstrom (Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLC)
• Julie Holt (Hedin LLP)

Have you applied for a job at Compass Group? Share your experience with their application process in the comments below.