Are employers allowed to require job applicants to have a certain level of education or experience?

In Tennessee, employers are allowed to require a certain level of education or experience of job applicants. As long as the requirements are job-related and necessary for the position, employers may make such a requirement. The Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) provides that any employer practice that discriminates against an applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability violates the law. Therefore, employers must have a valid business justification for any requirement they set in order for the requirement to be deemed lawful. When setting requirements, employers must also be careful to ensure they are not inadvertently discriminating against a protected class. For example, a requirement that applicants have prior experience working in a particular industry may have the effect of excluding certain members from that protected group. An employer must be able to show that the requirement serves a legitimate business purpose and that there is no other way the goals could be accomplished. Overall, employers are allowed to require a certain level of education or experience in order to apply for a job in Tennessee as long as the requirement is job-related. However, employers must be conscientious of their decisions and ensure that the requirements are not discriminatory.

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