Tag: GINA

Proposed GINA rule clears up issue on wellness programs

A new proposed rule from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settles the question of whether employers are justified in seeking medical information on covered spouses participating in wellness programs. The proposed rule, published in the October 30 Federal Register, would amend regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The proposed […]

The ACA: Do You Need to Train for Wellness Plan Requirements?

More of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been officially implemented this year, and organizations still have many questions as to which rules and regulations apply to them. With wellness programs becoming more common, some wonder if they are governed by the ACA (and if so, what they need to train for). […]

What Is GINA?

GINA stands for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and it’s enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). But what does that mean? How does this law affect employers?

Fire up the paper shredder: DOL issues new FMLA forms

Time to head to the paper shredder. The expired Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) forms the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) told you to keep using have been replaced. As first reported by attorney Jeff Nowak in his “FMLA Insights” blog, the DOL recently issued new FMLA forms that don’t expire until May 31, […]

Using Facebook for Background Checks

Should you consider using Facebook as part of your background screening process? It may be beneficial because it could turn up potential problems and keep you from hiring someone who could be a problem later on. But it can also be a risk because Facebook pages are known to contain an abundance of personal information—and […]

Third EEOC Wellness Lawsuit Draws Industry Ire

An employer group criticized the latest legal challenge to an employee wellness program filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The commission alleges that Honeywell International, Inc.’s biometric testing incentive for employees and their spouses violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. “This is an outrageous development, and one that […]

X-Men playing catch-up on genetics–the real-life wave of the present

Remember when the study of genetic information was deemed to be the purview of those in the medical field or reserved for films and television shows that were classified as “futuristic science fiction”? Not anymore. Today we live in a world where everyone is fully aware that their own genetic code and family history could […]

GINA violations: Acquiring, using, or disclosing employee genetic information

How does the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protect genetic information? "Under GINA, under Title II, it is unlawful for an employer to acquire, use, or disclose an employee's genetic information." Ruth N. Mackey explained in a recent BLR webinar. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the ways an employer can […]