Discriminatory harassment is based on which attributes?

• A. Based on race, color, religion, sex (gender), sexual orientation, age over 40, national origin, and disability, and genetics
• B. Based on job performance only
• C. Based on salary level only
• D. Based on shift assignment

Answer: (A)

Discriminatory harassment targets individuals for attributes that are protected by anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws. The best answer lists protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex (gender), sexual orientation, age 40 or older, national origin, disability, and genetic information. Harassment based on any of these attributes is considered discriminatory because those characteristics are specifically safeguarded, and treating someone unfavorably for them is illegal in many jurisdictions.

The other bases—harassment based on job performance, salary level, or shift assignment—do not involve protected characteristics. While those bases might reflect unfair or inappropriate treatment, they do not constitute discriminatory harassment under the protected-class framework.