What constitutes “discriminatory practices” in hiring?

Discriminatory practices in hiring refer to actions or policies that place certain candidates at a disadvantage based on characteristics that are legally protected under employment law, such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, and national origin, among others. The correct answer highlights that these practices involve unfair treatment that impacts a candidate's opportunity to be hired solely because of such protected traits.

This concept is essential in ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities and that hiring decisions are made based on relevant qualifications and skills rather than biases related to those protected characteristics. Discrimination undermines fairness and perpetuates inequality, which is why employment laws exist to prohibit such practices.

The other options reflect criteria for hiring that may or may not constitute discrimination, but they do not specifically address the concept of unfair disadvantage based on protected traits, making them less relevant when defining discriminatory practices.