1. What is a Code of Ethics for a Profession?
A profession’s code of ethics is a set of guiding principles that reflect the mission and values of the profession, establishing rules derived from these principles regarding proper professional conduct. These rules are established in addition to any ethical regulations set by law or under statutory authority.

2. The Objectives of the Code of Ethics
The objectives of the Code of Ethics for the private investigation profession are:
(a) To define the professional identity of private investigators and serve as a central element in shaping and forming the private investigation profession.
(b) To establish principles of ethical conduct for private investigators and to formulate a coherent approach to appropriate personal and professional behavior, as well as respect for the norms related to the private investigation profession.
(c) To promote a high level of professional competence in investigative services provided by private investigators.
(d) To promote proper relations between private investigators and clients, subjects of investigation, public authorities, and the general public.
(e) To provide private investigators with a tool to guide them in making proper professional decisions in accordance with the values of the private investigation profession, and to serve as a benchmark for evaluating the professional conduct of private investigators based on those values.
(f) To promote the status of the profession, uphold its dignity, and strengthen public trust in the profession.
(g) To promote mutual trust, goodwill, and cooperation among private investigators.

3. Compliance with the Code of Ethics
(a) General
The profession of private investigation is sensitive and complex, as it intersects with various areas of human rights and the fundamental values of a democratic society — including an individual's right to privacy in all its aspects. Due to this complexity, private investigators bear a great responsibility to act in a proper professional manner, to operate in accordance with the code of ethics, and to comply with all laws and regulations relevant to their professional work. Adherence to the code of ethics by private investigators is what preserves the good reputation of the private investigation profession and strengthens public trust in its purpose and in the professionalism of its practitioners. The way in which private investigators conduct themselves is the primary factor influencing the image of the profession.
(b) Rules of Conduct
1. A private investigator shall remain faithful to the Code of Ethics, strive to uphold the highest level of ethical standards as expressed in this code, and adhere to them at all times.
2. A private investigator shall take reasonable measures to ensure that all those employed by or acting on their behalf in investigations are aware of the Code of Ethics and adhere to it.
3. The provisions of the Code of Ethics are intended to supplement the duties and responsibilities of a private investigator under any law, including the ethical rules set forth in the Private Investigators and Security Services (Professional Ethics) Regulations, 1972 (see the attached ethics regulations appendix to this code), and the ethical guidelines established by decisions of the Disciplinary Committee or the courts — and not to detract from them.

4. The Purpose of the Profession
The purpose of the private investigation profession is to provide individuals with a legitimate interest the service of gathering reliable information and clarifying facts about others, in order to advance their interests. Private investigators apply their professional knowledge to help people act based on verified facts, an accurate understanding of reality, and awareness of the relevant factors influencing their decisions and actions. Reliable information is essential for a person’s ability to function autonomously and effectively, and to promote their interests and rights in all areas of life. Given these needs and the demand for such services, the private investigation profession is, by its nature, a socially significant service — intended to meet the individual’s basic need to access information necessary for pursuing legitimate personal interests, information that is not ordinarily at their disposal.
As part of this service, the private investigator acts in the name of truth, justice, and integrity, working to prevent injustice, promote human dignity, and uphold individual rights. In doing so, the investigator provides valuable assistance not only to individuals but also to the public and the legal system. This social service, unique to the private investigation profession, carries with it a sense of mission, along with a responsibility to uphold a moral view of the profession and the role of the private investigator.
The profession of private investigation is regulated by the Private Investigators and Security Services Law, 1972 (hereinafter: the Private Investigators Law). A private investigator is defined by the law as a person who engages in obtaining or collecting information about others on behalf of others and as a service for the public. Typically, sources of such information are not readily accessible to the individual. State authorities provide information about others only sparingly and for highly limited purposes, and they are not intended to serve the individual’s personal needs in this regard — neither in scope nor in content. The private investigation profession is intended to bridge the gap between the need to obtain information about others and the sources of that information.

The areas of activity that require the professional involvement of private investigators are numerous and diverse, encompassing nearly all sectors of the economy and a wide range of everyday life situations in our society. Private investigators are often called upon to gather information in matters that can be of critical importance — even matters of life and death — and they assist litigants in need of evidence, thereby indirectly aiding the courts in uncovering the truth. Private investigators are relied upon by financial and economic entities, government ministries, local authorities, lawyers, and many individuals in society. The fields of investigation cover a broad spectrum of issues, including locating persons or property, address verification, financial status inquiries and asset investigations, criminal investigations such as fraud and deception, and matters relating to individuals and family issues.

In their work, private investigators engage in obtaining information, analyzing it, determining its reliability, and supporting it with evidence. Although a private investigator does not hold an official position and has no greater authority to obtain information than any ordinary person, the private investigator possesses a distinct role and identity in this field. The uniqueness of the private investigation profession lies primarily in the fact that it is reserved exclusively for individuals who are legally authorized to practice it under the law. .The added value of the profession lies not only in the legal monopoly over the service, which is granted exclusively to licensed private investigators, but also — and more importantly — in the fact that the service is provided based on specialization, training, experience, and knowledge. , והלקוחות סומכים על החוקרים שיתנהלו .Clients rely on investigators to act with professionalism and expertise regarding the means, tools, and methods used to obtain information and how it is handled. These are not typically within the reach of the average person. This uniqueness distinguishes the profession of private investigation from a mere trade, elevating it to the level of a socially significant service. As stated above, the social perspective of the profession is accompanied by a commitment to its moral conception and to the ethical understanding of the role of the private investigator. The result of this moral outlook is the aspiration and obligation to act

with a high standard of proper conduct, which lies at the foundation of both the legal rules and the ethical principles of the private investigation profession.

5. Core Principles of the Profession
(a) General

1. The private investigator owes a duty of loyalty to the legitimate interest of their client, as well as a duty of responsibility and fairness toward the public at large, the private investigation profession, and fellow investigators, as detailed below. 2. In carrying out their duties, the private investigator shall act to fulfill their obligations toward their client, the public, the private investigation profession, and their professional colleagues.
(b) Fundamental Values

1. The principles of integrity, truth, and justice shall guide the private investigator at all times. 2. A private investigator is committed to the following:

To the pursuit of truth in the service of the client
To the preservation of human dignity
To fairness, integrity, and reliability
To objectivity and neutrality in performing their duties
To professionalism and competence
All of the above — within the framework of the law and the ethical standards of the profession.

6. Ethical Duties Toward the Client
(a) General

A private investigator shall act in the best interest of their client with loyalty, dedication, and fairness(Section 6 of the Private Investigators Law and Regulation 1 of the Ethics Regulations) With responsibility, professional skill, and a commitment to the task assigned to them in accordance with the client's instructions.

2. A private investigator shall conduct all matters with discretion, respect, and courtesy toward their client.

(b) Duty of Loyalty and Fiduciary Relationship

1. A private investigator owes a duty of loyalty to their client and, in the performance of their duties, acts as the client’s agent. (Section 6 of the Private Investigators Law)

2. A private investigator shall respect the trust placed in them by the client and protect the client’s privacy, refraining from any action that may compromise that trust, even after the professional relationship has ended. (Regulation 22 of the Code of Ethics)

3. A private investigator shall not accept or carry out any assignment if they cannot remain loyal to the client.
4. A private investigator shall not use any information or documents obtained through their work to the detriment of their client. (Regulation 21 of the Code of Ethics; see the exception regarding financial information in the same regulation.))
5. The duty of loyalty does not exempt the private investigator from the obligation to take reasonable measures to verify the reliability of the information provided by the client and the legitimacy of the matter the investigation is intended to serve.
6. A client’s instruction does not justify a violation of the law or a breach of the Code of Ethics.

(c) Prohibition of Conflict of Interest

1. A private investigator shall refrain from any action that may create a substantial risk of conflict between the interests of the client and their own interests or those of another person in whom they have an interest.(Regulation 18 of the Code of Ethics.)
2. A private investigator must inform the client of any business relationship or other interest that may affect their professional judgment, objectivity, or the quality of their service.
3. A private investigator shall not accept an assignment in which the subject of the investigation is a current client. 4. A private investigator who handled a specific matter on behalf of a client shall not subsequently handle the same matter against that client, unless prior written consent has been obtained from the former client. (Regulation 22(a)(8) of the Code of Ethics; see also Regulation 22(b).)
A private investigator shall not accept an assignment from a client if there is a substantial risk of breaching the confidentiality of information provided by a former client, or if knowledge of the former client’s matters may benefit the new client in a way that harms the former client’s interests, unless prior consent has been obtained from the former client.
6. A private investigator shall not conduct an investigation on the same matter on behalf of multiple clients unless prior written consent has been obtained from all parties.(Regulation 19(9) of the Code of Ethics.)

(d) Duties in Conducting an Investigation

1. Alignment of Intentions
Before accepting an assignment, the private investigator shall take reasonable measures to understand the client’s objectives and expectations. Accordingly, the investigator shall present the likelihood of achieving those objectives, the appropriate methods of operation, and ensure that the client understands these, along with the costs and the estimated time required to complete the assignment.

2. Efficiency, Responsibility, and Professional Competence

(a) The private investigator shall propose to the client the most effective course of action, within the agreed-upon cost framework.

(b) If a private investigator believes that the cost of an investigation is unreasonable in relation to the likelihood of achieving the desired objective, they shall express their opinion on the matter to the client.

(c) The private investigator shall assume full responsibility for the execution of the assignment. (Regulation 16 of the Code of Ethics.) Within a reasonable time frame, while maintaining a high standard of skill, professionalism, efficiency, diligence, and accuracy.

(d) A private investigator shall not cease handling a client’s matter before its completion, except under the conditions set forth in Regulation 14 of the Code of Professional Ethics. (Regulation 14 of the Code of Ethics.) Within a reasonable time frame, while maintaining a high standard of skill, professionalism, efficiency, diligence, and accuracy.

(e) A private investigator shall make every effort to ensure that the information collected or used for drawing conclusions is accurate, complete, up-to-date, and relevant, in accordance with the objectives of the investigation.
(f) A private investigator shall verify the authenticity and accuracy of photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings used as evidence.
(g) A private investigator shall conduct the investigation with objectivity and impartiality.

(e) Duty to Report
1. A private investigator shall provide the client, during the investigation and upon its completion, with all information in their possession relevant to the client’s matter, and shall give a full account of their actions. Upon the client’s request, the private investigator shall deliver a signed written report, either during the investigation or after its conclusion, detailing the information obtained and the actions taken in connection with the client’s case. (Regulation 23 of the Code of Ethics) The report shall include, as applicable, photographs and other evidence.

2. The report shall be fact-based, complete, objective, and responsible. It shall include all relevant facts discovered during the investigation, even if they do not align with the client’s expectations. It shall not contain information unrelated to the investigation’s objectives, nor shall it withhold any material information from the client. If the private investigator has doubts regarding the reliability or accuracy of certain information, such doubts shall be noted in the report.

3. A private investigator shall ensure the accuracy of the information provided to the client. (Regulation 24(a) of the Code of Ethics.)

4. A private investigator shall not sign an opinion or report that was not based on their own examination or that of another investigator from their office, unless the source of the information is clearly stated. (Regulation 24(b) of the Code of Ethics.)

5. Recommendations and assessments may be included in the report, provided that they are clearly identified as such.

6. A private investigator shall not allow personal feelings or biases to influence the findings presented in the report.

(f) Fees and Compensation

1. A private investigator shall not demand or receive fees except from the client or on behalf of the client. (Regulation 11 of the Code of Ethics) and shall not accept any benefit or promise of benefit from any person other than the client in connection with a matter under their professional care, unless prior written consent has been obtained from the client. (Regulation 20 of the Code of Ethics.)

2. The private investigator’s fee shall be agreed upon in advance between the investigator and the client. The investigator shall explain to the client the basis for calculating the fee. Any additional expenses related to the investigation that the client will bear shall also be clearly defined.

3. In determining the fee, a private investigator shall not take advantage of the client’s vulnerability or distress.

4. A private investigator may withhold the delivery of an investigation report and/or information related to the client’s matter until all payments or obligations toward the investigator have been fulfilled, provided that the client was informed in advance of this right of withholding.

5. A private investigator shall not condition or accept a fee based on the outcome of the investigation, unless the investigation is a location-tracking assignment. (Regulation 12 of the Code of Ethics)

7. Ethical Duties Towards the Public

(a) General

A private investigator’s responsibility toward the public is to act with caution, fairness, and objectivity, with the goal of advancing truth, integrity, and justice, while upholding the law, the values of a democratic society, human dignity, and individual rights. Proper conduct in this context takes into account not only the duty of loyalty to the client, but also the broader interests of society and the impact of investigative actions on third parties and the public at large. The investigator must strive for a fair and just balance between the need to uncover the truth and the means of doing so, choosing methods that minimize harm to individual rights.

(b) Ethical Conduct within the Framework of the Law

1. A private investigator shall comply with the law in all actions and shall exercise utmost care to avoid committing any offense in the course of their professional duties.

2. A private investigator shall take reasonable measures to ensure that all individuals employed by them or acting on their behalf in investigations comply with the law and conduct themselves appropriately.

3. Before accepting an assignment, the private investigator shall take reasonable measures to verify the client’s identity and reliability, the credibility of the information provided as a basis for the investigation, and the legitimacy of the matter the investigation is intended to serve. If it becomes clear that the client misled the investigator regarding the purpose of the investigation or the accuracy of the information forming its basis, the investigator must reconsider whether to accept the assignment or, if already accepted, whether to discontinue it.

4. A private investigator shall take reasonable measures to ensure that any information provided to the client is used solely for lawful purposes and not misused, and shall explicitly agree to this condition with the client.

(c) Respect for Human Dignity

In carrying out their assignments, the private investigator shall treat every person they come into contact with in the course of their professional duties with the respect due to them as a human being and shall refrain from any act of humiliation. The private investigator shall be aware of individual, cultural, and social differences among people and shall, as far as possible, adapt their conduct and methods to the characteristics and needs of the person they are dealing with in fulfilling the assignment.

(d) Protection of Life, Health, and Personal Safety

A private investigator shall refrain from using techniques, means, or equipment that may endanger a person’s life, health, or safety, and shall take all reasonable measures to prevent risk, loss, or harm to individuals or property in the execution of their duties.

(e) The Right to Privacy – Striving for a Balance of Interests

1. A private investigator shall be mindful of every individual’s rights, including their right to privacy, the privacy of their family, home, communications, and personal information, as well as the potential harm to these rights that may arise from the investigator’s professional activities.

2. The private investigator shall ensure that any infringement of privacy resulting from their professional activities is justified, proportionate, and reasonable in relation to the importance of the interest they are tasked with advancing on behalf of the client. The investigator must take all reasonable measures to minimize the infringement and ensure that it does not exceed what is necessary for the specific purpose.

3. A private investigator shall record intimate interactions only if they occur in a location visible to the public and shall ensure that the level of detail captured does not exceed what is necessary to protect the client’s interest, in order to prevent unnecessary harm to those involved.

(f) Duty of Care and Fairness in Conducting an Investigation

1. General
A private investigator has a responsibility toward the public to conduct investigations with an appropriate level of care, professionalism, conscientiousness, and by using lawful, ethical, and fair investigative methods.

2. Duties Toward Subjects of Investigation
(a) A private investigator shall treat the subject of an investigation with respect, discretion, and consideration for their needs. The approach toward the subject shall be appropriate, non-threatening, and conducted with the dignity they deserve.

(b) A private investigator shall not take any action that could indicate a person is the subject of an investigation, unless such action is necessary for the purpose of the investigation.

3. Prohibition Against Creating a Situation Through Deceptive Means
A private investigator shall not actively create the reality they seek to document in their investigation. However, this does not preclude the use of legitimate pretexts or cover stories to establish conditions that allow for documenting the true reality and circumstances, provided that all actions are carried out in accordance with the law.

Prohibition Against Deception Involving Emotional Manipulation
A private investigator shall not use deception that involves emotional manipulation of a person by exploiting their vulnerability and creating a situation of emotional dependence.

5. Prohibition Against Sexual Contact for the Purpose of Advancing an Investigation
A private investigator shall not initiate or engage in any sexual contact or intimate relations with an individual for the purpose of obtaining information in an investigation or advancing an investigation.

6. Prohibition on Impersonation (Regulation 3 of the Code of Ethics; see also Regulations 4 and 5 of the Code of Ethics.)
(a) A private investigator shall not present himself, either in words or behavior, as a police officer, inspector, or any other public servant as defined in the Criminal Law (Public Servants) Amendment Law, 1957.

(b) A private investigator shall not present themselves as a licensed professional in a field that requires legal licensing, unless they hold such a license at the relevant time.

(c) A private investigator shall not impersonate a person’s representative or claim to be acting on their behalf.

7. Protection of Minors
A private investigator shall not communicate with a minor regarding the matters of the investigator's client, unless in the presence of the minor's guardian or with prior written consent. (Regulation 3a of the Ethics Code) And shall not act directly or indirectly to obtain information from a minor needed for his investigation, except in the presence of the minor's guardian or with prior written consent.

8. Duty of Loyalty to Information Sources
A private investigator shall maintain the confidentiality of their sources and refrain from any action that could jeopardize their safety.

(g) Prohibition of Discrimination in the Provision of Services In providing services, a private investigator shall not discriminate, nor contribute to the discrimination of any person based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other difference that is not relevant to the investigator’s professional responsibilities.

(h) Relations with Public Authorities

1. In all interactions with public authorities, whether professional or personal, the private investigator shall conduct themselves with appropriate respect and uphold the dignity of the profession.

2. A private investigator shall ensure the reliability, accuracy, and completeness of any reports, statements, or affidavits submitted to public authorities.

3. A private investigator shall refrain from any investigative actions intended to obstruct or undermine the pursuit and discovery of the truth.

4. If a private investigator is requested to cease an investigation by the Attorney General or their representative, due to the potential interference with a police investigation of a criminal offense, the investigator shall immediately cease the investigation.(סעיף 7 ()ג) לחוק חוקרים פרטיים)

8. Duties of Confidentiality, Documentation, and Information Preservation

(a) Confidentiality

1. Maintaining Confidentiality
A private investigator shall maintain the confidentiality of all information that comes to their knowledge or possession in the course of their professional activities. This duty of confidentiality remains in effect even after the professional relationship has ended.

2. Non-Disclosure private investigator shall not disclose to others, outside the scope of their professional duties, any information obtained in the course of fulfilling their role, unless the client has consented otherwise.(Regulation 25(a) of the Code of Ethics. Note: This regulation also addresses disclosure in the context of advertising, and reads as follows: If a private investigator is also engaged in advertising, they shall not use, directly or indirectly, for advertising purposes, any information obtained in the course of their professional activities, even if the client has consented.)

3 Disclosure of Information to Public Authorities A private investigator shall disclose to public authorities any information obtained in the course of their duties only when required to do so by law. (Sections 7 and 8 of the Private Investigators Law and Regulation 25(b) of the Code of Ethics.) or if the client has given prior consent.

4. Responsibility for Safeguarding Confidentiality by Others A private investigator shall take all necessary measures to ensure that any investigator employed in their office, as well as any other staff members under their supervision, maintain the confidentiality of all matters that come to their knowledge during the course of their work.(Regulation 26 of the Code of Ethics)

(b) Documentation and Retention of Information

1. A private investigator shall document the investigation as thoroughly as possible immediately upon its completion, including all significant details of the investigation.
2. A private investigator shall take the necessary security measures to protect the collected material from loss, unauthorized access, alteration, or unlawful disclosure.
3. If a private investigator discontinues handling a matter for a client or completes the handling thereof, he shall return to the client all documents provided by the client upon the client's request, unless it has been agreed in writing that the documents shall remain in the investigator’s possession.(Regulation 15(a) of the Code of Ethics.)
4. Upon completion of the handling of a matter, the client may demand that the private investigator not retain any material collected during the course of handling the client’s affairs, relating to the client, a close associate, or any information that could identify the client as the initiator of the investigation. Upon such demand, the private investigator shall deliver all such investigation material to the client without retaining any copies thereof. (Regulation 15(b) of the Code of Ethics.)

9. Ethical Duties Toward the Private Investigation Profession

(a) General
A private investigator, through personal conduct, dealings with clients, the public, authorities, and professional colleagues, shall act in a manner that preserves the good reputation of the profession and promotes public trust in its mission and in the professional standards of those engaged in it.

(b) Preservation of the Dignity of the Profession
A private investigator shall refrain from any action that may harm the good reputation of the profession.

(c) Maintenance of Professional Standards

(1) A private investigator shall not undertake an investigation if they lack the appropriate professional means or sufficient resources to carry it out, or if they are unable to perform it efficiently and within a reasonable time.
(2) A private investigator shall employ, for the purpose of an investigation, only a licensed private investigator or a trainee. (Section 11 of the Private Investigators Law.) Except for purposes of auxiliary work and administrative tasks.

(d) Professional Knowledge

A private investigator shall strive to stay updated on legislative and judicial developments, professional literature, operational methods, and scientific and technical means relevant to their practice.

(e) Prohibition of Conflict of Interests Between Occupations

(1) A private investigator shall not engage in private investigations or any other occupation under circumstances that may create a conflict of interests between such activities.(Regulation 12(a) of the Code of Ethics.)
(2) A private investigator who engages in another occupation in addition to private investigations shall not handle, within the scope of the other occupation, any matter he is handling or has handled as a private investigator, nor shall he handle as a private investigator any matter he is handling or has handled within the scope of the other occupation, unless six years have passed between the handling as a private investigator and the handling within the other occupation.(Regulation 12(a)(b) of the Code of Ethics and Section 20 of the Private Investigators Law.)

(f) Conduct Regarding the Acceptance of Work

(1) A private investigator shall not make any misrepresentation regarding their professional or academic qualifications for the purpose of obtaining work.
(2) A private investigator shall not offer or provide, directly or indirectly, any financial or other benefit in order to secure or obtain professional work from a client. (Regulation 9 of the Code of Ethics.) Shall not engage in unfair competition with professional colleagues. (Regulation 10 of the Code of Ethics.) Nor shall he obtain an unfair or unlawful professional advantage.
(3) A private investigator shall refrain from improperly soliciting a person to assign work to him.
(4) A private investigator shall not advertise himself in a manner that is unfair, misleading, or inappropriate to the profession. The advertisement should be informative and must not include comparisons to other private investigators, including with respect to service costs.

10. Relations with Professional Colleagues

(a) Preservation of the Dignity and Interests of Colleagues

Integrity, collegiality, cooperation, and mutual respect will guide the relationships between private investigators.

(b) Cooperation

(1) A private investigator shall strive, to the extent possible, to cooperate in providing advice, guidance, exchange of information, and sharing of professional experience with colleagues who request it, as long as such cooperation is consistent with the law and ethical rules and does not harm his own interests. If general information learned during a specific investigation is requested for the purpose of cooperation, such information shall not be disclosed without the client’s consent or unless, to the best of the private investigator’s knowledge, disclosure would not harm the client’s interests.

(2) A private investigator shall carry out a task assigned to him by another private investigator with the same responsibility and efficiency as he would in an investigation conducted on his own behalf.

(c) Fairness in Competition

(1) A private investigator shall not knowingly interfere, directly or indirectly, in the relationship between a professional colleague and their client, where such interference is for profit and in a manner that harms the colleague.

(2) A private investigator shall not knowingly accept a matter that is already being handled by another private investigator, unless the other investigator has given written consent. The other investigator shall not withhold such consent unless he has financial claims or demands related to the matter against the client that have not yet been fulfilled.(Regulation 17(a) of the Code of Ethics.)

(3) A private investigator learns, after he has started handling a particular case, that the case is already being handled by another private investigator. This will delay the continuation of the work, and it will not resume until the client provides a written consent from the other private investigator.(Regulation 17(b) of the Ethics Code.)

(4) Paragraphs (b) and (c) shall not apply when the client has approached several investigators on their own initiative for the purpose of obtaining economic evaluation and analysis. (Regulation 17(c) of the Ethics Code.)

(5) A private investigator shall not withhold payment owed to another private investigator for investigative work carried out at their request. In the case of a dispute, the private investigator shall pay the agreed amount and work to resolve the disagreement regarding the remaining balance.

(d) Resolution of Disputes

In any dispute between a private investigator and a colleague in the profession, it is advisable to reach an agreement through peaceful means.

(e) Relations with Staff and Assistants

(1) Responsibility Regarding Staff
A private investigator shall be cautious in selecting the employees he hires, take necessary steps to provide them with professional training, supervise their work, and take reasonable measures to ensure their proper conduct. (Section 12 of the Private Investigators Law and Regulation 27 of the Ethics Code.)

(2) Fairness in Employment

(a) A private investigator shall maintain a proper and fair working environment in his office and ensure the protection of the rights of his employees in accordance with labor protection laws, as applicable to them.
(b) A private investigator shall not discriminate against an employee on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other difference that is not relevant to the nature of the employment.