Why might asking for an applicant's nearest relative violate the Civil Rights Act?

Requesting an applicant's nearest relative can potentially violate the Civil Rights Act primarily because it may inadvertently disclose information about the applicant’s national origin. This is particularly concerning in a diverse workplace where family names, cultural backgrounds, or the geographical location of relatives can indicate a person's heritage. Such information could lead to bias or discrimination during the hiring process if it is used to make decisions about the applicant.

In contrast, while the relevance of the information and potential implications for background checks are important considerations, they do not directly connect to the discriminatory intentions that the Civil Rights Act seeks to prevent. By focusing on the impact that such a question can have in relation to national origin, it is clear that asking about a nearest relative can create an unintended pathway to bias against applicants based on their background.