Impact of Covid-19 on Employee Satisfaction in UK Retail Industry: A Study on Tesco Plc

This study aims to assess the impact of Covid-19 on employee satisfaction in the UK retail industry, with a focus on Tesco Plc. It examines employee engagement practices used by the retail industry during the pandemic and identifies the extent to which employees became satisfied during Covid-19. The study recommends the best practices used by Tesco Plc to satisfy employees in the post-Covid-19 era.

Templates for Evidence Collection
Project proposal form
Student Details
Student Name Student Number
Date
College Name
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Tutor _______________________________________
Proposed Title
Section One: Title, aims, objectives
Title or working title of project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Project aims and objectives (e.g. what do you wish to achieve? What do you want to learn to
do?
What do you want to find out?)
Topic: “To investigate the impact of Covid-19 upon employee satisfaction within UK retail industry”.
A study on Tesco Plc.
Aim:
 The aim of current study is to assess the impact of Covid-19 upon employee satisfaction within UK
retail industry. A study on Tesco Plc.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept and model related to employee satisfaction.
 To examine different employee engagement practices used by retail industry during pandemic to
keep employee satisfied.
 To identify the extent through which employees became satisfied during Covid-19.
 To recommend the best practice used by Tesco Plc to satisfy the employee in post Covid-19.
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Section Two: Reasons for choosing this project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why you feel the topic is
important)
Rationale
In the current dynamic and complex pandemic environment, improving satisfaction level of
employee is one of the major issue faces by every company. It is because during the lock-down almost
every company get temporarily closed which further leads to the salary cut of employees, job losses, non-
availability of new jobs for freshers etc. This all issues has affected not only the satisfaction of old
employee but also the new people who are just started their career (Saeed and et.al., 2021). This study will
shed light on the various employee engagement practices available to retail industry with the help of which
Tesco company can satisfy its employees during this Covid-19 situation.
Section Three: Precedents and sources
Use of key literature sources and precedents to support your project objectives
Literature Review
As per the views presented by Das and Dutta (2021), employee satisfaction is a concept indicate the
fact that how satisfies are the employees from the job role they have offered in the organization. The
concept of the employee satisfaction indicate the fact that how the employee happy at the workplace from
the ambiance and atmosphere provided at the organization. This entire concept demonstrate how employees
are engaged in workload and the management of work at the organization. The employee satisfaction is
directly associated with the level of employee engagement at the workplace. A high employee satisfaction
clearly demonstrate that employees are happy at the workplace. The scholar presented that there are certain
element which affect and influence to the employee satisfaction company has achieved this involves work
load management of the organization, salary and remuneration [policy of company, incentives, bonus and
many such aspect that further create an impact over the scale of employee satisfaction company has
achieved. The amount of remuneration employee is getting from the job role create an impact over the scale
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of employee satisfaction organization is achieving at the premises. The scholar gas also projected the list of
certain element that drive the scale of employee satisfaction in the company which involve engagement,
recognition and strong leadership style of the organization. Work life balance is also one of the core element
or aspect that effect the scale of employee satisfaction company is achieving in the industry. This is a
feature which demonstrate to the fact that employee satisfaction is one of the core and significant element
and area that influence to the scale of operations company is performing in market. The impact of the
employee satisfaction is also over the productivity and performance of the human resource at the
organization.
The views illustrated by Garmendia and et.al. (2021), demonstrate that there are certain practices
which companies and organization employ in order to support the scale of employee satisfaction at
workplace. Organizations in the retail sector adopt the policy and practice of transparent and realistic in
order to scale the employee satisfaction at the organization. The companies involved in the retail sector
made employee focus on core values that can drive the performance of the human resources. Continuous
feedback policy is also adopted by companies in the retail sector which allow the management to guide the
workforce towards the right strategic direction to maximize the overall performance of the human resources.
Survey and questionnaire is another suitable technique or practice that I used to maximize the performance
of the human resources. This would certainly empower to the organization for supporting the overall scale
of operations and performance by the firm. Teamwork and collaboration is another core practice that has
adopted by the venture in the retail sector. Retail sector is highly competitive which require companies to
diversify its operations. Team work and collaborations are the core practices adopted by companies involve
in retail market to diversify its overall practices that further maximize the growth and development of the
sector.
The criticism has been designed by the Sudheer (2021), is that due to the intensive work pressure
many retail sector employees feel under pressure to perform. Further the work load management in the
sector is very critical. Many employees are forced tp work overtime to meet the company's target that create
massive amount of pressure over the shoulders of employees.
The opinions presented by Mefi and Asoba (2021), that covid pandemic has been one of the most
challenging tenure or situation for the employees in the sector. The pandemic situation could completely
damage the safety and security at the workplace. In the time of pandemic many retail sector companies has
switched to work from home practices. Further the sanitation has been focused immensely in the time of
pandemic which could also improve the employee satisfaction during covid.
The criticism has been provided by the Vu and Nwachukwu (2021), is that covid pandemic could
offer numerous challenges to the employees. The retail sector has always been a highly engaging sector due
to the demand in the sector which require the employee to work day and night to meet the heavy demand
even in the time of pandemic.
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Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the project How long will
this take:
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Gantt Chart of Activities listed above
Milestone one: Data collection
Target date (set by tutor): After 13th Week on 28th February, 2022
Milestone two: Analysing data
Target date (set by tutor): After 14th week on 7 march, 2022
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and
why? What your areas of research will cover:
Research Type
Research is of two different tyes one is qualitative and the other one is quantitative. Qualitative
study involve information in theoretical format. Quantitative study is total;ly based on statistical data and
information. This study will consume qualitative research type.
Research Approach
Research approach is off different types such as inductive, deductive and abductive research
approach. Deductive approach involve formulation of a hypothesis and than to provide the hypothesis
with the use of data and information (Al-Suraihi and et.al., 2021). Inductive approach is more like
observing the data and information collected and to design the suitable finding of study. Abductive
approach is a mix of both inductive as well deductive approach. This study will use inductive research
approach.
Research Design
Research design is off various kinds such as descriptive, correlational, experimental, diagnostic
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and explanatory. This study will consume descriptive research design.
Data Collection
Data collection is a process to collect the data and information. Data collection technique is
segregated into primary as well secondary method of data collection. Primary method involve techniques
like questionnaire method to collect the data (Turnbull, Chugh and Luck, 2021). Secondary method
involve using the existing information to provide realistic outcome and findings of study. This study will
consume both the method of data collection.
Sampling
Sampling is a process to segregate the data and information in primary study. This study will use
simple random sampling method to collect the sample. 50 employees will be approached to collect the
sample or data in primary study.
Data analysis
The data will be analyses with the use of excel chart and graphs.
Ethical consideration
All principle of ethical considerations will be supported in this project that involve informed
consent, voluntary participation, do not harm, confidentiality, anonymity and assess relevant information
(Wohlin and Runeson, 2021).
Comments and agreement from project proposal reviewer (if applicable)
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Comments:
I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate:
Agreed: (name) (date)
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Research ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the
use of data, collected from human participants, may be required to gain ethical
approval before commencing their research.
Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your Unit Tutor.
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed
research fully with your Unit Tutor. Please complete this form in good
time before your research project is due to commence.
Section One: Basic details
Project title: Topic: “To investigate the impact of Covid-19 upon employee satisfaction
within UK retail industry”. A study on Tesco Plc.
Student Details
Student Name Student ID
Programme:
School:
Start date: 1st January, 2022
End date: 31st May, 2022
Section Two: Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
Interviews
Questionnaires ✓
Observations
Use of Personal
Records
Data Analysis ✓
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Action Research
Focus Groups
Other (please specify)
Section Three: Participants
Will your research involve human participants? Yes ✓
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12–16: Young people aged 17–18:
No
Adults: ✓
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
The participants will be recruited via simple random
sampling.
Describe the process you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
The telephonic conversation process will be use by the
candidate to inform the participants such as managers and
leaders about what they are doing.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of
omitting questions they do not wish to answer?
Yes: ✓ No:
If No, please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this:
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be approved.
Yes: ✓ No:
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation? (e.g. give
them a brief explanation of the study)
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Yes: ✓ No:
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?
(This could be a summary of your findings generally)
Yes: ✓ No:
Section Four: Data storage and security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with
the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes: ✓ No:
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Only researcher team have the right to access the personal information of
respondents.
During the research
Where will the data be stored?
The data is stored in laptop
Will mobile devices, such as USB storage and laptops, be used?
Yes: ✓ No:
If yes, please provide further details: The data will be stored in laptop via
proper password so that no other party can access it.
After the research
Where will the data be stored?
The data is electronically stored is hard disk drive
How long will the data and records be kept, and in what format?
The data will be stored for 20 weeks until the completion of whole
research project in PDF format.
Will the data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes: No: ✓
If yes, please provide further details:
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Section Five: Ethical issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these: It is important that
you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise as a result of
your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical
concerns may include, but are not limited to the following:
• informed consent
• potentially vulnerable participants
• sensitive topics
• risks to participants and/or researchers
• confidentiality/anonymity
• disclosures/limits to confidentiality
• data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection)
• reporting
• dissemination and use of your findings.
Section Six: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the [insert name of college/centre]
Research Ethics Policy:
Yes: ✓ No:
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my tutor:
Yes: ✓ No:
I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the above information is
correct and that this is a full description of the ethical issues that may
arise in the course of my/our research.
Student Name(s)
Date
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Please submit your completed form to: