Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: A Case Study on ASDA

This case study explores the issue of gender pay gap in the retail sector, specifically focusing on ASDA. It aims to identify the reasons behind the disparity in wages between men and women and its impact on employee performance. The study also investigates ways to eradicate the negative impact of inequality and recommends strategies to promote equality and diversity.

Equality and diversity in the workplace.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Project aims and objectives...............................................................................................3
P2 Project management plan..................................................................................................4
P 3 Gantt chart and work break down....................................................................................5
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Research methodology......................................................................................................7
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................8
P5 Data analysis.....................................................................................................................8
P 6 Recommendation............................................................................................................16
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................16
P 7 Reflection.......................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................19

Tittle: To identify the reason of disparity in wages between men and women in retail sector. A
case study on ASDA.
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity in the workplace is defined as promoting equality of opportunity
for all, through diversity giving to each individual the chance to achieve their potential and free
from any discrimination (Klarsfeld and et.al., 2016). The present case study is based on the
“Gender pay gap” which I the biggest which is faced by employees within the company. The
report will formulate by aims and objectives as well as project management plan for completing
research on time by Gantt chart. This will includes a research methodology for collecting data as
well as data analysis. This also highlight steps of recommendations for better work as well
complete reflection of work.
LO 1
P1 Project aims and objectives.
Background of study:
Equality and diversity is very important at workplace to maintain growth of company.
The study is based on gender pay gap because it is the issues which is faced by employees at
workplace (Milner, 2017). This is the average difference between remuneration for men and
woman who are working.
Background of company:
ASDA is British multinational supermarket retails company which is founded in 1949.
Company is deals in various home based products and services to its customers. The company
have 165000 number of employees with 633 number of locations.
Aim:
 To analysis the reason of disparity in wages between men and women in organization. —
A case study on ASDA.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of equality and diversity.
 To identify the reason of disparity and its impact on employee performance.
 To investigate the different ways to eradicate negative impact of inequality from
workplace.
 To recommanded the ways to promote equality and diversity.

Questions:
 What is the concept of equality and diversity?
 What are the reasons of disparity and how it impacts to employee performance?
 What are ways for eradicate negative impact of inequalities?
 What you are recommanded for promote equality and diversity?
P2 Project management plan.
A project management plan is a document which is used to describe every phase of a
project (Sharma, 2016). This provides the comprehensive baseline of what has to be achieved by
using proper project management plan.
Scope:
Scope of this research is limited to employees of ASDA company only and help to
analysis ways to eradicate impact of the disparity with employee at company. This will help to
determine the reasons of disparity art workplace.
Quality:
Quality aspects of the project management plan which is help for ensure about the data
which have been gathered by qualitative and quantitative research sources (Morden, 2017). That
are used by researcher are authentic and relevant to the topic.
Risk:
Risk is faced by researcher at the time of collecting data for conducting research. Other is
the most of prominent risk is accuracy websites for collecting data.
Resources:
Researcher has use various resource for complete research in proper manner (Rojas,
2018). Those are computer system, stationery, tools and techniques for collect data.
Communication:
Communication is a major part which is helpful for address keenly and a key aspect
ensuring that the research is carried out successfully. Researcher is use simple and easy
communication which is helps to customers, employees and stakeholder understand properly.
Milestone schedule
Milestone Due date Justification
Identification of aim and 28/12/2019 This will be done 3 days before

objectives the actual end date to get it
checked by the tutor.
Research methodology 04/01/2020 This will be done 2 days before
to evaluate whether the method
used for research are correct or
not.
Data analysis 06/01/2020 This will be analysed 2 days
before the actual deadline so
that it can be again checked
and revised.
P 3 Gantt chart and work break down
Gantt chart
Task Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Schedule
d
Formulation of topic 6 days Wed 12/18/19 Wed 12/25/19
Auto
Schedule
d
Formulation of aims,
objectives and research
questions
4 days Thu 12/26/19 Tue 12/31/19 1
Auto
Schedule
d
Research methodology 4 days Wed 1/1/20 Mon 1/6/20 2
Auto
Schedule
d
Collection of data 4 days Tue 1/7/20 Fri 1/10/20 3,2
Auto
Schedule
d
Analysis and
interpretation of data 6 days Wed 1/1/20 Wed 1/8/20 1,2
Auto
Schedule
d
Draw conclusion and
recommendation 4 days Thu 1/9/20 Tue 1/14/20 5
Auto
Schedule
d
Draw reflection 5 days Wed 1/15/20 Tue 1/21/20 6
Auto
Schedule
d
Conclusion and
Recommendation 3 days Wed 1/22/20 Fri 1/24/20 7

Auto
Schedule
d
Reflection 3 days Wed 1/22/20 Fri 1/24/20 1,2,5,7
Auto
Schedule
d
End of project 1 day Mon 1/27/20 Mon 1/27/20 9

Work breakdown structure
LO 2
P4 Research methodology
Research Type: Research is the study which is conducted to find out the solution of the
issue which is faced by the organization in the long run of the business. There are two type of the
research which can be conducted by the scholar that is qualitative and quantitative research type.
Qualitative research is the research in which the outcome of the result is founded in the non-
numeric form and in quantitative research it is found in numeric form (Kumar, 2019). Scholar
has used Qualitative research type as it was difficult to present the data in numeric form.
Research Approach: Research approach is the set of plan and procedure which used to
detailed the method of collection, analysis and interpretation. Inductive and deductive are two
type of Research approach which can be used by scholar. Inductive approach looks at generating
the new theory with the help of data collected whereas deductive approach used to look at
already made theory. Researcher has used deductive approach as it used to provide the crucial
hand for conducting qualitative research.
Research philosophy: Research philosophy is the belief in which the data can be
collected and analysed. There are two type of the philosophy that is generally used by the
philosopher in conducting the research namely Interpretivism and positivism. Interpretivism

philosophy used to integrate the human study into the study. Whereas Positivism philosophic
stating that certain knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations.
Scholar has used interpretivism as a research philosophy as this will help the company in
understanding the human interest also related to the study.
Data collection: It is the process of collecting the data to conduct and analysis the
information related to the topic. There are two type of data collection tool that is primary data
collection in which data is collected for the first time. Secondary data in which the data is
collected from the source who have already collected the data from another source. Scholar has
collecting the primary data with the help of conducting the survey with the help of the
questionnaire. Secondary data has collected with the help of the journal and book related to the
study topic (Bresler and Stake, 2017).
Data analysis: It is the process of analysing the data in such a way that it can be easily
understood to all the interested parties. Scholar will be using the thematic data analysis tool to
analyse the data. In this scholar has presented the data in different graphs and table to make it
more presentable.
Sample size: It is the element of the methodology which look at selecting the respondent
out of the total population size. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic approach are the two two
approach which can be used by the scholar. Scholar will be using the simple random sampling
method under probabilistic approach. The reason behind the same is that scholar wants to give
chance to all the respondent to get selected in the cut. Sample size selected for this project is 20
employees of Asda (Fletcher, 2017).
LO 3
P5 Data analysis.
Theme: 1 Yes, Maximum employee understand meaning of equality and diversity.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Yes 90 18
No 10 2
Total 100 20

Interpretation:
The above graph is stated that the maximum number of employees are understood about
the equality and diversity. They said the concept of equality and diversity is creates more
effectiveness for people and company performance. On the other side, the remaining 10%
employees are said they not understand the concept of equality and diversity and its process.
Theme: 2 Yes, according to majority disparity is affect to performance of employees.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Yes 75 15
No 25 5
Total 100 20
Yes No
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
90
10
% of respondents

Interpretation:
As per the above graph, the majority is 75% employees of ASDA company says the
disparity is affect the performance of employees it is in negative manner. This creates negative
environment at workplace which is not good for company and for its growth. The remaining 25%
employees are said disparity is not affect to employees performance.
Theme: 3 Yes, company give efforts for reduce gender pay gap by promoting equality and
diversity.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Yes 55 11
No 45 9
Total 100 20
Yes No
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80 75
25
% of respondents

Interpretation:
As per the collection of data a graph is stated that the company gives more effort to
reduce gander pay gap by promoting equality and diversity at workplace. The 55% employees
are with that but the remaining 45% employees are said “NO” company gives any efforts in
order to reduce gender pay gap and promote equality and diversity from the workplace. They
management not work on that through this, it creates biggest issues for company in the future.
Theme: 4 Creating equal opportunities for all, is the way to promote equality and diversity at
workplace and reduce gender pay gap at company.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Creating equal opportunity for
all
40 8
Hire employees from different
culture
15 3
Identify unconscious
discrimination
20 4
Yes No
0
10
20
30
40
50
60 55
45
% of respondents

Giving training about equality
and diversity to employee
25 5
Total 100 20
Interpretation:
The presented graph is shows creating equal opportunity for all employees are the best
way to promote equality and diversity and eradicate gender pay gap from workplace. The
maximum employees are with this option. The remaining 60% are with other options 15% are
with hiring employees from other culture, 20% identify unconscious discrimination and 25%
with giving training about equality and diversity to employees.
Theme: 5 The Majority is with all are common factors of discrimination within the
organization to eradicate pay gap.
Particular % of respondents Participants
0
10
20
30
40
40
15 20 25
% of respondents

Gender and age 15 3
Socio economic factor 15 3
Race and religion 20 4
all the above 50 10
Total 100 20
Interpretation:
The majority 50% employees are said all the mentioned factor are common factors within
the organization to reduce gender pay gap from company. That is very important and effective
for eradicate gender pay gap from the company because that is gives negative impact on the
company and employees performance. On the other side, the remaining 50% employees with
other options like 15% employees are with gender and age, 15% employees are with socio-
economic factor and 20% employees are with race and religions. But the majority is with all
common factor within organization helps to reduce gender pay gap from company in effective
manner.
Gender and age
Socio economic factor
Race and religion
all the above
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
15 15
20
50
% of respondents

Theme: 6 All are the main elements of gender pay gap in retail sector.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Women are prefers part-time
job
5 1
Barriers stop woman
advancing for another
profession
5 1
Women cannot perform same
as a man
15 3
All the above 75 15
Total 100 20
Interpretation:
0
20
40
60
80
5 5 15
75
% of respondents

The above stated graph is shows a majority 75% of employees are said that the all the
mentioned option are main element which creates inequality at workplace in negative manner.
Those mentioned elements are creates inequalities and disparity between the men and woman
pay gap. That is not good for the company and its growth factors for the future. On the other
side, the remaining 25% employees are with another mentioned options are 5% employee said
the women are prefers part-time job, 5% employees are said Barriers stop woman advancing for
another profession and the remaining like 15% employees are said Women cannot perform same
as a man. Those are the main elements which affect to equality at workplace.
Theme: 7 Yes, company followed equality act 2010.
Particular % of respondents Participants
Yes 60 12
No 40 8
Total 100 20
Yes No
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
60
40
% of respondents

Interpretation:
The majority of employees 60% said the Yes company is followed equality act 2010
within the company. They said company and management is always tries to reduce gender pay
gap and disparities between men and women at workplace. But the remaining 40% employees
are said no company is not followed this act as well as not give any instructions according to that
within the workplace.
P 6 Recommendation
The major recommendation for the company is to implement fair compensation practices
for females and males within the company. This is majorly because of the fact that this fair
compensation will promote equality among the employees. This will motivate the employee to
work more effectively and efficiently.
Another recommendation for the company is to conduct time- to- time an equal pay audit.
This is an audit which analyse the difference between the pay of males with the females. This
will outline all the gap between the pay of employee on basis of gender.
Another recommendation for company in promoting equality in company on basis of pay
is that they must provide training to the employee of the company to not discriminate among the
employee on the basis of gender.
LO 4
P 7 Reflection
This research was very helpful for me to gain the knowledge relating to the gender pay
gap within the company. This is a current issue going on in the market thus, it was very helpful
for me to learn many different things about gender pay gap. The aim was formulated with many
problems but in the end the correct aim and relevant objective were prepared. I learnt that the
aim formulation is the most important part as the whole research is based on these aim and
objectives only. Also, I learnt that just formulating the aim and objective is not enough it is also
necessary to ascertain the cost, time, resources involved in the research with help of project
management plan.
Further, I gained value that research methodology is very necessary for the research
completion. This is pertaining to the fact that this outlines all the methods which will be followed
in the research completion like sample, sources of data collection and many other methods. In

the end I learnt that for the analysis of the data thematic analysis is better because of the fact that
this is very presentable and attractive.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it had been concluded that the equality and diversity has very
important and effective part of the company which gives various opportunities for company and
for its growth. The report had been formulated by aim and objectives which helped to complete
research in effective manner. This produce a project management plan for manager complete
research in proper manner and Gantt chart helped complete research on time before missing
deadline. The most important part of research which had research methodology that helped to
collect data and information which has related with topic. After, that research had been analysis
through interpretation as per that design some recommendations for company and researcher
through that researcher uses those for getting better result. This has also concluded that the
reflection about the whole work which had faced by researcher at the time of research.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bresler, L. and Stake, R.E., 2017. Qualitative research methodology in music education. In
Critical Essays in Music Education (pp. 113-128). Routledge.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 20(2). pp.181-194.
Klarsfeld, A. and et.al., 2016. Comparative equality and diversity: main findings and research
gaps. Cross Cultural & Strategic Management. 23(3). pp.394-412.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Milner, S., 2017. Trade unions, equality and diversity: an inconsistent record of transformative
action.
Morden, T., 2017. A Short Guide to Equality Risk. Routledge.
Rojas, R. R., 2018. Diversity and Workplace Spirituality. In Diversity and Inclusion in the
Global Workplace (pp. 81-107). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Sharma, A., 2016. Managing diversity and equality in the workplace. Cogent Business &
Management. 3(1). p.1212682.
ONLINE
Research Methodology. 2016. [ONLINE]. Available through <https://libguides.wits.ac.za/c.php?
g=693518&p=4914913>

APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Position:
1. Do you understand what is equality and diversity?
A) Yes
B) No
2. According to you, disparity is affect the performance of employee in ASDA?
A) Yes
B) No
3. According to you, your company reduce gender pay gap by promoting equality and
diversity?
A)Yes
B) No
4. What is the best way to promote equality and diversity at workplace and reduce gender pay
gap at company?
A) Creating equal opportunity for all
B) Hire employees from different culture
C) Identify unconscious discrimination
D) Giving training about equality and diversity to employee
5. What is common factor of discrimination within the organization to eradicate gender pay
gap?
A) Gender and age,

B) Socio economic factor
C) Race and religion
D) all the above
6. What is the main element of gender pay gap in retail sector?
A) Women are prefers part-time job
B) Barriers stop woman advancing for another profession
C) Women cannot perform same as a men
D) All the above
7. Does your company be followed equality act 2010?
A) Yes
B) No
8. What you are recommended to promote equality and diversity for ASDA company?
--------

Project logbook

Performance review template