Which of the following best captures the essence of workplace discrimination?

The essence of workplace discrimination is best captured by the concept of unfair treatment based on protected characteristics. Discrimination occurs when an individual is treated unfavorably due to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. This unfair treatment creates a hostile work environment and can significantly impact an employee's career, morale, and mental well-being.

While disparities in promotions may signal discrimination, they do not encompass the broader range of unfair treatment that can occur in various aspects of employment. Unresolved conflicts between coworkers may arise from different issues, but they do not specifically address the notion of discrimination against protected groups. A diverse but unbalanced workforce might highlight issues of hiring and representation, but it doesn’t directly reflect the unfair treatment aspect inherent in the definition of discrimination. Therefore, the correct answer captures the fundamental principle of discrimination as it relates to engaging with individuals based on their protected characteristics.