Reference no: EM133160441

Hypothetical Fact Pattern: You work for a government agency. You have one, and only one, vacant position to fill. The position can be filled by either a current employee or by a new hire. Three people, and only three people, apply for the position (so you must select one applicant from among only these three applicants). Applicant 1 is a female, Applicant 2 is a male of color, and Applicant 3 is a white male. In every other possible respect all three applicants are equally qualified (including age, education, training, experience, personality, physical abilities, interview scores, ability to fit into your organization, i.e. the three applicants are equally qualified in everything except race and gender). Please don't forget that this is a hypothetical so you must assume all of the statements about qualifications are true.

Hypothetical Questions:

1) Is it acceptable to not select Applicant 1 only because she is a female? Please briefly explain your reasoning.

2) Is it acceptable to not select Applicant 2 only because he is of color? Please briefly explain your reasoning.

3) Is it acceptable to select Applicant 3 only because, of the three applicants, he is the only white male? Please briefly explain your reasoning.