Which group does the EEOC specifically protect against discrimination?

The correct answer is that the EEOC specifically protects employees from designated protected categories. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is tasked with enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee based on certain characteristics. These protected categories include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information.

By focusing on employees from these designated categories, the EEOC strives to ensure equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace for individuals who might otherwise face discrimination due to their identity or personal characteristics. This targeted protection reflects the intention of federal employment law to ameliorate systemic inequalities faced by these groups.

The other options do not align with the mandates of the EEOC. While all employees benefit from laws ensuring fair treatment in principle, the EEOC specifically enforces protections based on designated characteristics rather than universally applying to every employee regardless of status or classification. Additionally, the EEOC's scope is not limited to corporate executives or part-time employees; its authority encompasses a wide array of employment situations and roles.