Paolo Has Just Resolved Three Different Disciplinary Cases Involving Tardiness

Paolo has just resolved three different disciplinary cases involving tardiness issues with three different employees. Each employee was given a different disciplinary action. One employee received a written warning, one employee received an informal talk, and another received suspension or layoff. Which of the following circumstances would warrant such action on the part of Paolo?

A) Nothing would warrant such differences in treatment.
B) The employees got along differently with Paolo.
C) One worker was from a protected group, and Paolo didn't like one of the others.
D) The three employees had different records of previous offenses of the same nature.