Final answer:
Companies should avoid asking for marital status in job applications as it is a protected characteristic under EEOC federal laws, which prevent discrimination based on personal information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Companies should not request information about marital status in job application forms. Educational qualifications, criminal history, and work experience are generally considered relevant information. However, marital status is classified as a protected characteristic, and in the United States, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws that prevent discrimination based on such personal information. Under these laws, employers are prohibited from making hiring decisions based on an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.