Which of the following best describes an illegal discrimination practice?

Favoring applicants based on personal relationships constitutes an illegal discrimination practice because it creates an unfair advantage for certain individuals based on subjective criteria rather than merit or qualifications. This practice undermines the principles of equal employment opportunity, which emphasize fairness and nondiscrimination during the hiring process. Instead of evaluating candidates based on their skills, experience, and potential contributions to the organization, this approach allows personal biases to dictate hiring decisions. Such favoritism can lead to a homogenous workforce, hinder diversity, and perpetuate inequality in the workplace.

In contrast, providing training to enhance employee skills and offering flexible work arrangements are practices that promote development and inclusivity. A random hiring process, while not necessarily illegal, could raise questions about the selection criteria and the effectiveness of hiring decisions, but it does not inherently involve discrimination based on protected characteristics.