Discrimination in Business - what to avoid

In almost every developed country of the world there are laws that govern discriminatory employment practises.

If you are to avoid any of the most common pitfalls can I suggest that you, in the first instance familiarise yourself with the following short list of personal attributes that may not be discriminated against in a prospective employee:

Gender,
Age,
Racial origins,
Marital status,
Pregnancy,
Spent conviction (ie a court conviction that has been served to the satisfaction of the legal system),
Family responsibility or status,
Religion,
Political beliefs and/or adherance
and disability.

Sexual or racial harassment and victimisation are also generally prohibited.

These laws apply almost universally in the recruitment, management and termination
of employees.