Most employers know about the various protected classes such as race, national origin, religion, gender, disability, medical condition, and sexual orientation. However, many employers are unaware of the fact that a person’s genetic information is also protected.
Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), employers are limited in what genetic information they can collect, and are prohibited from using that information in hiring, firing, or other employment decisions. Generally, genetic information includes things like DNA and other medical tests, and even medical histories for individuals and their family members.
