Final answer:
The EEOC considers applications, interviews, background checks, and other hiring processes to be selection tools designed to assess candidate qualifications without discrimination. The correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The processes that companies use such as applications, interviews, background checks, etc., prior to hiring employees are considered selection tools by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC enforces federal laws to prevent employment discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, age, and others.
It's important for these selection tools to be non-discriminatory and legally compliant, ensuring that hiring decisions are based on qualifications and individual abilities rather than on group membership unless it directly influences job performance.
The use of selection tools is to assess a candidate's fit for a position without bias, and companies must navigate this process within the legal framework established to protect job applicants from discrimination.