Genetic Information Discrimination

The federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against employees or applicants based on their genetic information in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, benefits, leave, and any other term or condition of employment. Federal law also prohibits workplace harassment perpetrated against a person because of his or her genetic information. Harassment can include, for example, offensive remarks about a person's genetic information. Harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision, such as the victim being fired or demoted. The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.