On what grounds are employers allowed to discriminate in hiring decisions?

Discrimination in hiring can occur in many different forms, but there are specific grounds on which employers are legally permitted to make hiring decisions. One of these grounds is age, as certain positions may legally require a minimum age due to concerns about safety, experience levels, or responsibilities inherent to the job. Additionally, some industries may have mandatory retirement ages or specific roles that are more suitable for particular age groups based on physical demands or experience needed.

Considering the other options, ability, experience, and potential are generally viewed as acceptable criteria for hiring decisions. Employers are encouraged to focus on an applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential contributions to the company, provided that those criteria are applied uniformly without bias. Thus, while these factors can influence hiring, they are not grounds for discrimination in the same way that age can be under certain legal frameworks. This makes age a unique factor in the context of discriminatory hiring practices.