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The Act applies to most employers with more than 15 employees, although there are several exemptions—among them, a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ), a business necessity, and the validity of the procedure used to make the personnel decision. Discrimination is allowed on the basis of national origin (citizenship or immigration status), religion, sex, and age; for in- stance, if that discrimination can be shown to be a “bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary for the normal operation of a business.” Examples include a woman playing a female part in a play, a Sunday school teacher of a certain religion, or a female correctional counselor at a women’s prison. Claims of “customer preference” for female flight attendants or gross gender characteristics such as “women cannot lift over 30 pounds” have not been supported as BFOQs.