Who, What, Why . . .

Who does it apply to: Any employer with 15 or more employees that obtain genetic information (including family history) about an employee.

Why should I keep reading – I don’t use genetic information: It’s true, most employers don’t have a program to obtain genetic information about employees, but the law is broad enough that “genetic information” includes family histories of an employee’s health, which employers are much more likely to come in contact with.

What does it require: Employers are not permitted to use an employee’s genetic information in making employment decisions, retaliate against an employee for making a claim of discrimination based on genetic information, or permit an employee to be harassed based on that employee’s genetic information.