We have been receiving questions lately from clients and friends regarding the continued validity of the Department of Labor’s FMLA forms that we posted here. The Department has requested approval for the renewal of these forms from the federal Office of Management and Budget. In the meantime, employers may continue to use these forms. In order to comply with the Genetic Information NonDiscrimination Act ("GINA"), however, employers should also send a note to the healthcare provider that includes the following safe harbor language recommended by the EEOC:

"The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual, except as specifically allowed by this law. To comply with this law, we are asking that you not provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information. ‘Genetic information’ as defined by GINA, includes an individual’s family medical history, the results of an individual’s or family member’s genetic tests, the fact that an individual or an individual’s family member sought or received genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or an individual’s family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive reproductive services."

Using this language will ensure that if the healthcare provider actually provides genetic information regarding the employee or family member in completing the FMLA forms, the employer can establish that its receipt of the genetic information was inadvertent.