Final answer:
Cynthia is a victim of job discrimination as she was denied a promotion based on her appearance, which is not a valid criterion for employment decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cynthia has always performed well in her job, and has received good performance appraisals. However, she has been denied a promotion to a more lucrative sales position because she was told she "is not attractive enough" for the position, thus Cynthia is likely a victim of job discrimination. This scenario is an example of discrimination based on appearance, which is not a legal or ethical basis for employment decisions. It does not fall under affirmative action, which is a policy designed to increase the representation of minorities and women in various domains.
The glass ceiling refers to an invisible barrier preventing women from rising to higher levels within an organization, which could be a factor if her situation is part of a larger pattern of preventing women from reaching higher positions. However, the glass ceiling itself does not account for discrimination based on attractiveness. Lastly, bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQ) allow for discrimination in very limited cases where certain attributes are essential for a job's performance, and being "attractive enough" does not typically qualify as a BFOQ in sales positions.