Federal judge allows Honeywell to begin penalizing workers who won't take health tests

A federal judge is allowing Honeywell Inc. to begin penalizing workers who refuse to take medical tests.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had asked the judge to block the program. But Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/1GhWjLi ) reports U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery denied the agency's request for a temporary restraining order at a hearing Monday.

The tests measure blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, as well as check for signs that an employee has been smoking. Employees who decline to take the tests could be fined up to $4,000 in surcharges and increased health costs.

In a statement, Honeywell says it's pleased the policy will continue in 2015.

The case will continue moving forward in court.

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Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mprnews.org