Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

Fast forward twenty years. Everybody is genetically tested to find out what health issues have been passed to them from their parents. To protect the citizenry from the prying eyes of insurance companies and employers that might want to avoid those that are "genetically inferior", a federal law is passed with sweeping protections for an individual's genetic information.

Interestingly, your federal government is actually ahead of the game this time. In 2008, it passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

So, why am I bothering you with it now when it likely will not matter for many more years? I don't want to spoil the surprise, but there is a very important reason it matters to you today. Look at this month's piece to find out.

To download this month's edition of the Employer Handbook, click here.