EEOC Updates Notice to Employees

October 27, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published a notice revising its "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" poster to reflect changes required by the employment provisions (Title II) of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which become effective on November 21, 2009.

Federal law requires postings in workplaces informing individuals of their rights under federal employment discrimination laws. According to the EEOC, the poster will be available in Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic before the Act's effective date.

The employment provisions of GINA prohibit employers from using information from genetic testing to hire, fire, or promote workers (see Genetics Test Info Discrimination Bill Passes U.S. Senate ). The EEOC suggested employers update handbook policies to incorporate language concerning GINA.

The new poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/posterform.html .

Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com