Final answer:
Questions about an applicant's physical characteristics should be avoided as they can lead to discrimination, which is illegal and unethical. Employers are advised not to ask such questions, and applicants have the right to refuse to answer them and contact the EEOC if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Questions about an applicant's physical characteristics should be avoided in an interview primarily because they can lead to discrimination and may be considered irrelevant to the job's requirements. Discussing an applicant's physical traits can violate their privacy, and assumptions made based on these characteristics can result in prejudiced decisions, which are illegal under various anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, such questions may breach the Civil Rights Act of 1964, leading to legal actions against the company if used to make employment decisions.
It is recommended that job applicants do not answer questions that delve into protected characteristics. If faced with such a question, an applicant can question the relevance of the information, assert their discomfort in answering, or directly reference the legal protections in place. If discrimination is suspected, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can be contacted for resolution.
Hence, in a job interview context, option b) They can lead to discrimination is the most appropriate answer as it directly addresses the potential illegality and ethical issues arising from such inquiries.