Which of the following factors is considered a protected category under federal law?

Genetic information is recognized as a protected category under federal law, specifically through the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008. This legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their genetic information in health insurance and employment contexts. The law is designed to protect individuals from being unfairly treated based on their genetic predispositions or family health histories, thus ensuring that such sensitive information is handled with care and confidentiality.

In contrast, marital status, annual salary, and social media presence are not federally protected categories. While some states might have specific laws regarding marital status or protections against discrimination based on social media activity, these are not universally recognized at the federal level. Annual salary is a measure of compensation and is not a basis for discrimination protections. Understanding these distinctions is critical for organizations to ensure compliance with the protections offered under federal law, especially regarding personal and sensitive information like genetic data.