Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

This report focuses on promoting and executing equality and diversity in the workplace, with a case study on Unilever PLC. It covers project aims, objectives, and questions, project management plan, work breakdown structure, research methods, data analysis, recommendations, and reflection.

Equality and diversity in the
workplace
1

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Project aims, objectives and questions...................................................................................4
P2 Project management plan including communication, risk, cost, time, quality, scope and
resources......................................................................................................................................5
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to give timeframes and completion stages........6
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Qualitative and quantitative research methods to meet project aim and objectives...............8
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................10
P5 Data analysis and interpretation...........................................................................................10
P6 Recommendations as a result of data analysis to draw meaningful conclusions.................13
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................14
P7 Reflection on value of undertaking research to mitigate stated objectives and own
performance and learning..........................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................16
Project log book.........................................................................................................................16
Performance Review..................................................................................................................17
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INTRODUCTION
Equality is associated with treating all the individuals equally in workplace and diversity is
related to having people with diverse backgrounds in organisation. Maintaining equality and
diversity is the key to success of a company. For promoting and maintaining equality, there are
different ways that can be adopted by an organisation (Basak, and Khanna, 2017). In this report,
the selected organisation is Unilever PLC which is a leading transnational consumer goods
company that offer different products to customers. This report covers aim, objectives and
research solutions along with project management plan that consists of different aspects of
project. Different research methods are also discussed and data analysis and interpretation is
done. At last, recommendations are provided to promote equality and diversity and reflection is
given on the overall experience of performing research.
Task 1
P1 Project aims, objectives and questions
Research aim:
Aim of project is "To determine the ways to promote and execute equality and diversity
in work place. A case study on Unilever plc."
Research Objectives:
 To understand equality and diversity in workplace concept.
 To identify challenges of maintaining diversity in workplace.
 To ascertain different ways to promote and implement equality and diversity in
organisation.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept equality and diversity in workplace?
 What are the challenges of maintaining diversity in workplace?
 What are the different ways to promote and implement equality and diversity in
organisation?
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P2 Project management plan including communication, risk, cost, time, quality, scope and
resources
Project management plan is a formal document which involves all the details about project
and its phases which helps the manager to manage and control it appropriately. various aspects
are considered in the project management plan which are mentioned below:
Cost: it is the amount which is required to successfully complete a project and get desired
outcomes. The cost associated with this project and its successful completion is 400 pounds. This
amount is required to successfully complete the project (Crane and Matten, 2016).
Scope: it includes each and every aspect related to project which determines its future value.
The project has wider scope as it helps manager in determining different ways to promote and
execute equality and diversity in workplace. This helps organisation in developing a competitive
workplace.
Time: it is related to the initiation and completion time period of project. The project of
promoting equality and diversity in workplace needs four weeks for its successful completion.
Each activity of project has a specified time for its completion.
Quality: this is a crucial attribute of project that helps in ascertaining accuracy of the
outcomes getting from this project. The quality of project is ensured by the manager by using
appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing data.
Communication: it is very necessary to communicate crucial information about project to
other members of team. For exchanging the information, the project manager use tools like
emails, messages and mobile phones so that all the necessary information can be conveyed
effectively.
Resources: for ensuring that each task of project is carry out effectively, having adequate
amount of resources is very necessary. For successful initiation and completion of this project,
all the types of resources like human, financial, physical and technological resources are required
to ensure quality of project and validity of outcomes (Drews and Van den Bergh, 2016).
Risk: there are some risks relate to research project that needs to consider by project
manager to ensure successful completion of project. In this, lack of financial resource and time
are primary risks which may hamper project quality.
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P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to give timeframes and completion stages
Work Breakdown Structure:
The act of dividing work into smaller tasks to ensure its effective completion is done
through work breakdown structure (Flick, 2015). It is a tool that help project manager to divide
and organize work in manageable parts. The work breakdown structure of this project is as
follows:
Gantt Chart:
The graphical representation of each activity that shows project schedule is done through
Gantt chart (Glukhov, Ilin, and Levina, 2015). It is the tool that project manager uses for
planning and scheduling of task or activities associated with project. Gantt chart in relation to
this project is mentioned below:
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Task 2
P4 Qualitative and quantitative research methods to meet project aim and objectives
At the time of performing research, project manager makes use of different methods so that
all the activities associated with project can be carry out effectively and systematically. some of
the methods which are used in relation to this research are mentioned below:
Primary research: this research method includes collection of fresh data which is never
used by anyone before. The sources that can be used for collection of first hand data includes
questionnaire, survey, interviews etc.
Secondary research: when the already published data is collected on any topic then it is
termed as secondary research (Huntington, 2018). In this, second hand data is gathered by using
sources like books, newspapers, journals, educational institutions, libraries, government records,
articles etc.
For this project, the manager makes use of primary research method for collecting data
which is completely new so that valid and accurate outcomes of research can be drawn. For
collecting the data, researcher make use of questionnaire tool that includes some questions which
required to be answered by respondents.
Qualitative research: this is the technique in which non numerical information is collected
by project manager by understanding underlying reasons and views. For collecting detailed
information on topic, this method is appropriate to be used by researcher.
Quantitative research: all the numerical form of data and information is collected by
quantitative research technique. it helps project manager in performing systematic investigation
to fit diverse perspectives of people in predetermined response categories.
This project makes use of quantitative research method for collecting numerical data over
the topic, i.e., promoting equality and diversity in workplace. The reason of selecting this method
is that it supports researcher in ensuring accuracy of data so that reliable and valid outcomes are
drawn (Jeske and Shultz, 2016).
Sampling: it is the process of taking out preset number of observations from large
population. Non probability and probability sampling types are used to select sample size. This
project makes use of probability sampling in which random sampling technique is used to select
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number of observers from overall population. For collecting data, the sample size is 30 who are
the company's stakeholders.
Questionnaire: the tool that involves some questions regarding topic is termed as
questionnaire (Nasurdin, Ahmad and Tan, 2015). For collecting data on the topic "to determine
the ways of promoting and implementing equality and diversity in workplace. A case study on
Unilever plc" is mentioned below:
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Add:
Mail ID:
Q 1) Are you aware of equality and diversity in workplace concept?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) What is the significance of promoting workplace equality and diversity?
a) Improved performance
b) Healthy Workplace Culture
c) Motivated Workforce
Q 3) Which challenge does Unilever face the most in managing workplace
equality and diversity?
a) Resistance to Change
b) Conflicting working styles
c) Ethnic & Cultural Differences
Q 4) How Unilever can execute and promote equality and diversity in
workplace?
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a) Providing training on diversity awareness
b) Promote collaborative working
c) Communicate diversity policies
Q 5) How promoting equality and diversity in workplace impacts on performance of
Unilever plc?
a) Positively
b) Negatively
c) Neither positively nor negatively
Q 6) According to you, in what terms does Unilever gets benefit from maintaining
equality and diversity in workplace?
a) Improved productivity
b) Increased engagement of employees
c) Gain competitive advantage over rivals
d) Motivated employee base
e) Promotes creativity and innovation
Q 7) As per your opinion, what is the impact on employees if they are treated
unequally by their employer?
a) Decreased motivation
b) Decline in productivity and performance
c) Leads to stress
d) develops a sense of dissatisfaction
Q 8) According to you, to what extent the existing policies of Unilever plc are effective
in maintaining equality and diversity in workplace?
a) Highly effective
b) Effective
c) Neither effective, nor ineffective
d) Ineffective
e) Highly ineffective
Q 9) Suggest another way to promote equality and diversity in Unilever plc
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Task 3
P5 Data analysis and interpretation
Theme 1: Awareness of equality and diversity concept
Q1) Are you aware of equality and diversity in workplace
concept?
Frequency
a) Yes 26
b) No 4
Interpretation: According to the above graph, it is interpreted that 26 out of 30 people
are aware of equality and diversity concept and remaining four are not aware about it.
Theme 2: Benefits of promoting workplace equality and diversity
Q2) What is the significance of promoting workplace equality
and diversity?
Frequency
a) Improved performance 11
b) Healthy Workplace Culture 9
c) Motivated Workforce 10
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Interpretation: According to the above chart, it can be interpreted that 11 out of 30
people said that the significance of promoting workplace equality and diversity is improved
performance, nine said that healthy workplace culture is benefit and remaining 10 said that
motivated workforce is the benefit.
Theme 3: Challenge that Unilever face in managing workplace equality and diversity
Q3) Which challenge does Unilever face the most in managing
workplace equality and diversity?
Frequency
a) Resistance to Change 8
b) Conflicting working styles 10
c) Ethnic & Cultural Differences 12
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Interpretation: As per the chart, it can be said that according to 8 out of 30 respondents,
resistance to change is the challenge that organisation face in maintaining equality and diversity,
according to 10 people conflicting working style is the challenge and the remaining said that
ethnic and cultural differences is challenge.
Theme 4: The way to execute and promote equality and diversity in workplace
Q4) How Unilever can execute and promote equality and
diversity in workplace?
Frequency
a) Providing training on diversity awareness 9
b) Promote collaborative working 13
c) Communicate diversity policies 8
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Interpretation: The above graph shows that according to 9 people out of 30, providing
training on diversity awareness helps in executing and promoting equality and diversity,
according to 13 people promote collaborative working is the way and the remaining 8 people
said that communicate diversity policies is the way to promote equality and diversity in
workplace.
Theme 5: The way promoting equality and diversity in workplace impacts on performance of
Unilever plc
Q 5) How promoting equality and diversity in workplace impacts on
performance of Unilever plc?
Frequency
a) Positively 28
b) Negatively 1
c) Neither positively nor negatively 1
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Interpretation: As per the above chart, it has been interpreted that according to the 28
out of 30 respondents, promoting equality and diversity in workplace impacts positively on the
performance of Unilever plc, one respondent said that it impacts negatively on the performance
of company and according to the remaining one respondent, it neither impacts positively not
negatively on the performance of Unilever plc.
Theme 6: In what terms Unilever plc gets benefit from maintaining equality and diversity in
workplace
Q 6) According to you, in what terms does Unilever gets benefit from
maintaining equality and diversity in workplace?
Frequency
a) Improved productivity 6
b) Increased engagement of employees 6
c) Gain competitive advantage over rivals 6
d) Motivated employee base 6
e) Promotes creativity and innovation 6
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Interpretation: According to the above graph it can be stated that as per the opinion of 6
out of 30 respondents, Unilever plc gets benefit of maintaining equality and diversity in terms of
improve productivity of organisation, six respondents said that increased engagement of
employees is the benefit that organisation get, according to another six people organisation gain
competitive advantage over rivals is the benefit, 6 respondent said that motivated employee base
is the benefit and according to the remaining 6 respondents, Unilever get benefit in terms of
promoting innovation and creativity within organisation from maintaining equality and diversity
in workplace.
Theme 7: Impact on employees if they are treated unequally by their employer
Q 7) As per your opinion, what is the impact on employees if they are
treated unequally by their employer?
Frequency
a) Decreased motivation 7
b) Decline in productivity and performance 8
c) Leads to stress 7
d) develops a sense of dissatisfaction 8
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Interpretation: As per the above graph it can be interpreted that according to 7 out of 30
respondents, decreased motivation of employees is the impact on them if they are not treated
equally by their employer. 8 respondents said that decline in productivity and performance of
employees is the impact, according to 7 respondents, if employees are not get treated by their
employer equally then it leads them towards stress and according to the remaining 8 respondents,
the impact on employees if they are not treated equally by their employer is that it develops a
sense of dissatisfaction among them.
Theme 8: Extent to which existing policies of Unilever plc are effective in maintaining
equality and diversity in workplace
Q 8) According to you, to what extent the existing policies of Unilever
plc are effective in maintaining equality and diversity in workplace?
Frequency
a) Highly effective 6
b) Effective 8
c) Neither effective, nor ineffective 5
d) Ineffective 6
e) Highly ineffective 5
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Interpretation: According to the bar chart, it can be interpreted that according to 6 out of
30 respondents, the existing policies of Unilever plc are highly effective in maintaining equality
and diversity in workplace, 8 respondents said that the policies are effective in maintaining
equality in diversity. 5 respondents said that existing policies are neither effective nor
ineffective, 6 respondents said that the existing policies are ineffective and according to the
remaining five respondents, the existing policies of company are highly ineffective in
maintaining equality and diversity in workplace.
P6 Recommendations as a result of data analysis to draw meaningful conclusions
According to the above discussed data analysis and interpretation, it has been found that
organisation should maintain equality and diversity in workplace so that a healthy workplace
environment is maintained and employees are able to work more productively in company. In
this context, for promoting equality and diversity, it is recommended that company should treat
all its workforce equally and render them with equal opportunities to grow and develop. This will
help in improving their motivation and morale and encourage them to work more effectively to
accomplish goals and objectives of company. This ultimately leads the company towards growth
and success.
In addition to this, company should follow all the employment laws so that no employee can
be discriminate in workplace on any basis and all are paid with equal salaries who are working
on same level. This will help in developing a sense of satisfaction among them and they feel
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happy and safe at workplace which will positively impacts on their performance as well as
organizational performance. Moreover, diversity training is also an appropriate way to promote
equality and diversity at workplace. So, it is recommended to the manager that it should provide
diversity awareness training to all its employees so that they allow to get proper of its
significance in organisation and contribute in maintaining equality and diversity. All these ways
help Unilever PLC in effectively promoting equality and diversity at workplace.
The another appropriate way to maintain equality and diversity in workplace is to develop
effective anti-discrimination policy in workplace and communicate it effectively among all the
employees so that they are able to understand it properly. Management of Unilever plc must
develop appropriate policies and practices which will be helpful in removing discrimination and
maintaining equality and diversity. Along with this, strict rules and punishments must be set so
as to ensure that no individual will be treated unequally in the organisation and healthy and
effective organisational culture remain maintain in work place where all the employees work
productively towards accomplishment of common goal.
Task 4
P7 Reflection on value of undertaking research to mitigate stated objectives and own
performance and learning
Performing this research project makes me able to learn many new things which will help
me in my future career growth. By this project, I was able to develop my knowledge and
understanding about the topic and other areas. The supports in improve my skills and
competencies that makes my overall experience of performing research excellent. However,
some difficulties were faced by me while performing the research because of lack of time. As
specific time period is provided to me to complete this research. By the help of my colleagues, I
was able to complete each activity successfully on specified time. If I get chance in future to
perform the research again, then I will be able to complete it in more effective way.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that promoting equality and
diversity in organisation provides it with various benefits in teams of improved performance of
employees, increasing productivity etc. There are various which can be adopt by firm to promote
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equality and diversity like providing training to employees, treating all individuals equally,
follow employment laws etc. All will help in promoting equality effectively in workplace.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Basak, A. and Khanna, K., 2017. A Study on the Selection Criteria of Different Hotels of Delhi
NCR in Accordance to the HR Policies and Market Trends. International journal of
social sciences and humanities. 1(1). pp.27-38.
Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Drews, S. and Van den Bergh, J. C., 2016. What explains public support for climate policies? A
review of empirical and experimental studies. Climate Policy. 16(7). pp.855-876.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Glukhov, V. V., Ilin, I. V. and Levina, A. I., 2015, August. Project management team structure
for internet providing companies. In Conference on Smart Spaces .(pp. 543-553).
Springer, Cham.
Huntington, J., 2018. Managing the Practice: Whose Business?. CRC Press.
Jeske, D. and Shultz, K. S., 2016. Using social media content for screening in recruitment and
selection: pros and cons. Work, employment and society. 30(3). pp.535-546.
Nasurdin, A. M., Ahmad, N. H. and Tan, C. L., 2015. Cultivating service-oriented citizenship
behavior among hotel employees: the instrumental roles of training and
compensation. Service Business. 9(2). pp.343-360.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D. S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A
business student's guide. Sage publications.
Scott, D. J., Ditroilo, M. and Marshall, P. A., 2017. Complex training: the effect of exercise
selection and training status on postactivation potentiation in rugby league players. The
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 31(10). pp.2694-2703.
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APPENDIX
Project log book
Name:
Project title: "To determine the ways to promote and execute equality and diversity in work
place. A case study on Unilever plc."
Date:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved
Points to consider:
What have you completed?
I have completed project on "To determine the ways to promote and execute equality and diversity in work
place. A case study on Unilever plc."
Did you fulfil task requirements?
Yes
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes
Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
No
Any risks and/or issues identified?
Points to consider:
Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking research/tasks?
Lack of team working skills is the issue faced
Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project management plan?
No
Problems encountered
Points to consider:
What barriers
did you face?
Time
management
and resource
allocation
How did you
overcome them?
By using Gantt
chart and work
break down
structure
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New ideas and change of project direction
Developing effective communication
What have I learnt about myself this week?
Points to consider:
How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems? Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
Felt aggravated. Yes, it is useful.
How well have I performed? What did I contribute? What can I improve on next week?
I performed very well and contribute my cent percent efforts. I can improve my communication skills.
How might this learning apply in the future?
In performing further research more effectively
Tasks planned for next week
Points to consider:
Which tasks are priority?
Collection of data
Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Performance Review
 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project accomplished on determine the ways to promote and execute equality and
diversity in work place. A case study on Unilever plc."
 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically,
please outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, it is succeed as aim is accomplish on time.
 What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects
of the project (e.g initial inception, project activities and project
outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
My team working skills worked well as it helps me in performing tasks
effectively with others. aspects of project involves project management
plan, WBS, Gantt chart, data analysis and interpretation, recommendation,
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reflection and conclusion.
 What problems emerged during the project and how were they
tackled? Was there timely identification of issues and resolution
during the project process?
Insufficient time which is tackled with the help of team members. Yes, the
issues were resolved timely.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
Effective communication and improved knowledge on subject area.
 How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
9 out of 10.
 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
My communications skill is weakness while team working is strength.
 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
This research supports my continuous professional development by
enhancing my knowledge base and skills.
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