Which of the following is a valid form of discrimination under EEO laws?

Rejection based on an applicant’s race, gender, or religion is a valid form of discrimination under Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws because these laws are designed to protect individuals from unfair treatment based on certain protected characteristics. EEO laws prohibit discrimination in hiring, firing, promotions, and other employment decisions based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion. Thus, rejecting a candidate due to their race, gender, or religion constitutes a violation of these laws, as it reflects bias and unequal treatment in the hiring process.

The focus of EEO laws is to ensure that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities without facing discrimination. On the other hand, evaluating applicants based on their qualifications, offering promotions to all employees equally, and conducting performance reviews fairly do not involve discrimination; these practices align with the principles of fairness and equal opportunity, as they are based on merit and do not consider protected characteristics.