When is discrimination allowed?

In very limited circumstances, employer are allowed to discriminate to some extent when a specific religion, gender, or national origin is a necessary qualification; for instance, when hiring a Rabbi, it is necessary that the Rabbi be Jewish; likewise, occupations involving personal privacy (such as bodyguards, restroom attendants, models, and actor/actresses) may require a specific gender. These situations are known as Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQs).