HR Dilemma: Should employers be allowed to take staff DNA?

Employees may be asked to share genetic information with their employer or face penalties to their employer-funded wellness programmes, if a bill approved by a US House Committee becomes law.

The bill, known as the 'Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act’, was introduced by Representative Virginia Foxx of the Republican National Committee. It would allow employers to request genetic information from their employees and their family members if they want their health insurance covered.

However, staff may not feel comfortable with sharing this information, yet if they choose to keep their genetic information private, under the legislation, employers could impose penalties of up to 30% of the total cost of employee’s health insurance - The Washington Post reports.

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The bill's fact sheet reads: "Preserving wellness programmes and ensuring employers have the legal certainty they need to help lower health care costs for workers must be part of the process of repealing Obamacare and replacing it with patient-centered solutions.