North Carolina Correctional Officer State Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT considered a protected class under unlawful workplace harassment?

1. Age 40 or above

2. Political affiliation

3. Height

4. Genetic information

The correct answer is: Height

Height is not considered a protected class under unlawful workplace harassment. Protected classes refer to characteristics that are legally safeguarded from discrimination and harassment under various laws and regulations. These typically include age, race, gender, religion, disability, and other specific categories like genetic information. Age 40 or above is protected because the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) explicitly protects workers from discrimination based on age. Political affiliation may not be universally covered under all federal laws but is often protected in various contexts and jurisdictions. Genetic information is protected under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which prohibits discrimination based on genetic information. Since height does not fall within these recognized categories or is not explicitly protected under major federal laws, it can be excluded from the list of protected classes, making it the correct choice in this context.