Gender Equality in Leadership and Management Research Project

This research project focuses on the importance of gender equality in leadership and management in organizations. It discusses the impact of gender discrimination on the workplace and provides suggestions on how to eliminate it. The research is based on a study conducted on Sainsbury's, a UK-based retail supermarket.

Gender Equality in
Leadership and Management
Research Project

Table of Contents
TOPIC - Equality and Diversity in the workplace ..........................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of the research....................................................................................................3
Aim:........................................................................................................................................3
Objectives...............................................................................................................................4
Questions................................................................................................................................4
Rationale.................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................6
Research Design.....................................................................................................................7
Data Collection.......................................................................................................................7
Research Approach.................................................................................................................7
Research Choice.....................................................................................................................7
Research Strategy...................................................................................................................8
Methods for data collection....................................................................................................8
Sampling ................................................................................................................................8
Methods for data analysis.......................................................................................................8
Questionnaire..........................................................................................................................9
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS..........................................................................................10
Frequency Table...................................................................................................................10
THEMATIC ANALYSIS.....................................................................................................11
Research Outcomes..............................................................................................................18
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................19
Reflection ......................................................................................................................................20
Alternative research methodologies...............................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

TOPIC - Equality and Diversity in the workplace
INTRODUCTION
The gender equality is an important issue which has to be dealt with every organisation so that
they can effectively carry on all the factors as well as functions of the organisation. It is
necessary that the gender equality is motivated and encouraged in an organisation so that the
moral of the organisation cannot be negatively affected and all the practises in the organisation
can be carried on a practical basis (Braunstein, Bouhia and Seguino, 2020). In the following
report discussion is done on Sainsbury's. It is a United Kingdom-based retail supermarket which
majorly deals in groceries. The following report the discussions are made on how equality of
gender in an organisation can be encouraged by leaders and managers in an organisation. There
are a number of suggestions regarding increasing gender equality in the workplace and
eliminating any discrimination and gender. The report is based on Sainsbury's and the practices
which are done by managers and leaders in Sainsbury's. The particular branch that has been
taken into consideration is Sainsbury's supermarket located at Camden Town, London NW1 9LJ,
United Kingdom. With the help of the following report the managers can effectively work on
equality and diversity in their organisation and make sure that there is no discrimination between
different genders in the organisation and at the workplace.
Background of the research
Over the years, it has been realised that equality and diversity in the workplace are said to
be the two crucial subjects that are required to be examined as they may impact on performance
level of organisation in different ways. On the other hand, gender discrimination is also
important to be analysed and examined because organisations like Sainsbury's and more might
go through various difficulties like low motivation among staff members and so on. This may
help organisations to sustain in the market for a longer period of time because them may deliver
equal opportunities to staff without making any sort of discrimination.
Aim:
“To determine how can organisation eliminate gender discrimination at the workplace”.
A study on Sainsbury's.

Objectives
 To investigate the impact of equality and diversity in the workplace.
 To explore effect of discrimination in gender at work place.
 To research different ways in which business deal with discrimination and gender.
Questions
 What are the effects of equality and diversity in the workplace?
 How does gender discrimination affects workplace?
 What are different methods which business uses to deal with discrimination and gender?
Rationale
The major purpose for conducting this research is that the investigator has personal interest
in development of various research skills with the help of which they can conduct a number of
researches in future (Timperley and et. al., 2020). This will also help in generation of knowledge
about investigation on a particular topic and how to create different research in future.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Impact of equality and diversity in organisation
As per Kristal and Yaish, 2020, it has been seen that equality in an organisation is the
strategy which is adopted by a number of leaders and managers in order to make sure that every
employee of the organisation gets equal opportunities and are treated equally in the workplace.
When learning about diversity it means that a number of people who belong to different group,
culture and believes are coming together positively to work together. Equality and diversity can
be said to be promotion of equal opportunities for everyone in the organisation without any
discrimination in their sex, beliefs, values, cultural orientation or nationalism. Necessary that
every business is adopting such practices of equality and diversity legally so that they can create
a positive and hygienic working environment for their employees. It is necessary that every
employee in the organisation feels involved with the organisation and are satisfied enough. This
also helps in motivating the employer because demotivated employees in the organisation are a
burden for the organisation. It is often seen that due to such problems in the organisation the
employee engagement is less, productivity is reduced, employee absenteeism increases,
employee turnover also increases. All these are negative signs for a business and they turn profits
of a business into losses. It has also been seen that diversity has a number of negative influences

on an organisation as the background of people form a pre-misconception in heads of the
employees. It is necessary that the results and the overall performance of employees are not
affected due to lack of equality or diversity in an organisation.
Effects of gender discrimination on workplace
As per Björkdahl and Somun-Krupalija, 2020, it has been seen that gender discrimination
in an organisation can be directly related to lack of opportunities and increments or promotion
for female employees in an organisation. It is often seen that a number of discrimination which
are taking place in the organisation are due to discrimination between different genders in an
organisation. It is seen that these discrimination have a negative effect on the employs as it might
cause anxiety, depression and stress in the employees. This is a bad effect on mental health of the
employees which often results in reduction of productivity in an organisation. Is is necessary for
the organisation to take care of the employees who are working for the organisation and make
sure there are no effect on the physiological health or psychological health of an employee due to
the things which are happening in the organisation. It is often seen that due to gender
discrimination there are a number of employees who get demotivated and perform their tasks and
objectives in efficiently. In consideration of Sainsbury's it has been seen that there is a 13.9% of
gap between the pay of both the genders. Therefore, it can be seen that due to the discrimination
towards female in the organisation there are a number of employees who are leaving the
organisation which is resulting in increase of employs turnover in the organisation. There are a
number of other negative influences of this discrimination among employs which can be seen in
the organisation.
Methods to deal with gender discrimination at workplace
On the basis of Fuentes and Cookson, 2020, there are a number of ways which are used
by Sainsbury's and which can also be used by them in the future in order to make sure that there
is no discrimination between males and females in the organisation. Below mentioned are some
of the ways which can be followed by Sainsbury's so that they can be sure there is no gender
discrimination in the organisation:
Reduction or elimination of gender pay gap: It has clearly been seen that there is a
13.9% of gap between the pay of both the genders in organisation. It is also necessary that this
big gap between both the genders should either be reduced or eliminated completely. This is a
great demotivation for the employees in the organisation. It is necessary that the company creates

a new working environment which motivates both males and females in the organisation and also
make sure that there are no differences made between both the genders in the organisation. It is
necessary that employees must be asked to fill a form recording all their salaries and it is needed
to be compared by management so that they can reduce or eliminate this pay gap between the
employs of both genders.
Effective training for the management: It is the duty of employs to make sure that they
complain and file a report against any discrimination which they feel that the organisation carries
on. It is also necessary that the management team of the organisation is well trained about
discrimination is in the organisation. It is necessary that management is trained so that they can
motivate their staff to make sure that there are complaints regarding the discrimination which are
carried on in the organisation. It is also necessary that how to deal with these complaints and
discriminations the management wants to be effective enough. The management of Sainsbury's is
regularly training their employees for efficiency and effectiveness in managing the grievances
between discrimination. It is also necessary for the team of Sainsbury's to make sure that they
can obtain feedback from the employees in the organisation so that they can enhance the working
condition in the organisation.
Creating diversity from inside out in the organisation: It is necessary for the
organisation to make sure that they are posting the requirements for the job regularly. It is also
necessary that they motivate the female population to apply for the job. They can easily get a
number of women who are qualified and skilled enough to perform the duties related to job. In
this way they can also increase the population of women in the organisation and create a
diversity in the organisation from inside out.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology of research which is used for conducting a research is an important
factor for every research. This helps in describing the systematic manner in which the research
will be carried out and completed. In the following research the use of research opinion is
conducted in a number of layers. Below mentioned are all these in detail:
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy basically means the belief on which the researcher is carrying on the
research and completing the research. There are basically two types of research philosophy.

These are interpretivism and positivism. In the following research the investigator is using
positivism research philosophy. This helps in providing a specific data and knowledge about the
subject of overall report.
Research Design
Research design refers to the structure of the following research while the completion of
the research on a specific topic done by a researcher (Zhu and Chang, 2020). There are a number
of different types of research design such as experimental, analytic, descriptive, qualitative,
correlation and so on. In the following research investigation, the investigator is using
descriptive form of research design. This helps to conduct a questionnaire in order to provide
survey in the research. A detailed information is provided in such type of research with the help
of the data which is collected which helps the researcher to conclude appoint and obtain outcome
at the end of the research.
Data Collection
There are basically two type of research in which forms the research can be carried on.
First one is referring to the primary method of research. This is the method in which all the data
which is used for research purposes the first 10 data. The researcher works on different data
collection methods in order to collect the data themselves (Blanden, 2020). In the following
report the data is collected from 50 employs of Sainsbury's. This data is collected with the help
of a questionnaire. However there is also use of secondary research in this report. That is the
kind of research in which they already present data in the market is used for investigation. In the
following report the data is taken from a number of books, journals, articles which are already
published in order to come to a conclusion.
Research Approach
There are two major forms of research approach which can be effectively used by a
researcher in order to complete the research. In the following research deductive approach is
used by the researcher which is mainly based on the quantitative method of research. It helps in
providing the accurate results from a research.
Research Choice
Choices which are to be made by researcher while conducting a research such as the
methods of research. There are basically three types of choices such as mono method, mixed

method and multi method. In the following research mono method has been used by investigator
which basically means the use of quantitative data in the research.
Research Strategy
Research strategy in order to execute a proper research in an effective manner it is required
by researcher to focus on a proper strategy while conducting the research. In the following
research a questionnaire is prepared by the researcher which is the core strategy of the researcher
in order to gather data regarding the research and take out proper findings from the data which is
gathered (Zwingel, 2020).
Methods for data collection
Following research the data collection method which is used as a primary data collection
method. The following method is a questionnaire which is created and is distributed amongst the
employees of Sainsbury's who fill the questionnaire and answer all the questions. In this way this
first hand data is collected from the researcher itself in order to make sure that there are a number
of use and perceptions of all the people in the report.
Sampling
Sampling refers to a method in which the samples which are selected from the total
population. The total population in the following report is the employees who are working in
Sainsbury's. In order to make sure that the data is not hampered in any manner a random
selection is done from the sample size. There is a total of 50 respondents taken for the following
report who all are working for Sainsbury's. The sample population which is selected for the
following report I done on the basis of a random sampling method which is the method under
probabilistic method (Moore, 2020).
Methods for data analysis
It is necessary for the researcher to make sure that the analysis of the information which is
gathered is conducted in a right manner. In the following research quantitative method is used in
order to come to a valid outcome. Below mentioned are some of the approaches which are used
by researcher in the following report to reach to an outcome:
Access: This means that the access to gather the data for the research and the investigation on the
following data will be done by researcher or a person who is authorized by the researcher. It is

necessary that the data remains highly confidential and no leakage of data is possible as it may
lead to hamper the findings of research (Ma and Luc, 2020).
Cost: This includes the cost which is used by the researcher in order to complete all the task of a
research effectively. In the following research conducted by the researcher the estimated cost
was €150. This mainly consisted of convenience cost, stationary and cost for some secondary
material which was used by the researcher while conducting the research. These are the basic
costs necessary for any kind of research. There are no extra costs of human resource as all the
work is completed by the researcher themselves without any one’s help.
Ethical issues: There are a number of ethical issues and norms which are to be taken care of by
the researcher while conducting the research. In the following research it was necessary to make
sure that the proper permission to collect data from employees of Sainsbury's have been taken.
Other than this it is necessary that the respondents data is kept confidential. These are basic
ethical issues to be followed while conducting the research. All these are followed effectively by
the researcher to make sure that their area no questions raised in future on the report by any
authority, organisation or even the respondents (Goetz, 2020).
Questionnaire
The questionnaire which is developed for the report are mentioned below:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Are you aware about the gender equality?
Yes
No
2. Do you use equality rights at workplace?
Yes
No
3. Do you agree that people need to be aware about their rights?
Yes
No
May be
4. Are you being discriminated by your employer?
Yes

No
No experience
5. Are you in favour of gender equality?
Yes
No
6. Do you think that leadership and management can minimise the discrimination situation at
workplace?
Yes
No
7. Does Sainsbury's’s help employees in gender discrimination?
Yes
No
8. Does leader use appropriate leadership style in situation of gender discrimination?
May be
May be not
9. Does your employer treat you equal at workplace?
Yes
No
10. Do you agree that gender equality should use at every field of organisation?
Yes
N0
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Frequency Table
1. Are you aware about the gender equality?
Yes
No
Freq
20
30
2. Do you use equality rights at workplace? Freq

Yes
No
18
32
3. Do you agree that people need to be aware about their rights?
Yes
No
May be
Freq
38
12
4. Are you being discriminated by your employer?
Yes
No
No experience
Freq
43
2
5
5. Are you in favour of gender equality?
Yes
No
Freq
33
17
6. Do you think that leadership and management can minimise the
discrimination situation at workplace?
Yes
No
Freq
44
6
7. Does Sainsbury's’s help employees in gender discrimination?
Yes
No
Freq
22
28
8. Does leader use appropriate leadership style in situation of gender
discrimination?
May be
May be not
Freq
33
17
9. Does your employer treat you equal at workplace?
Yes
No
Freq
38
12
10. Do you agree that gender equality should use at every field of
organisation?
Yes
N0
Freq
42
8

THEMATIC ANALYSIS
THEME 1
1. Are you aware about the gender equality?
Yes
No
Freq
20
30
INTERPRETATION- From the above graph it has been seen that 20% respondent are aware
about the gender equality and rest 30 are not aware about the concept. It is necessary to
make sure that all the employees in the organisation are well aware of gender equality and
the ways in which it is affecting the organisation.
THEME 2
2. Do you use equality rights at workplace?
Yes
No
Freq
18
32

INTERPRETATION- The above displayed graph shows that 18 respondents use their equality
rights at workplace and rest 32 are afraid of using them within the organisation. It is
necessary that employees do not fear using equality rights for their benefits in the
workplace.
THEME 3
3. Do you agree that people need to be aware about their rights?
Yes
No
May be
Freq
38
12

INTERPRETATION- The district graph shows that it is important to news d rights when
inequality is being done any individual. In this graph it reflects that 38 respondents are agree
with the question and rest 12 deny. It is necessary for everyone to have proper knowledge
about all their rights in the organisation.
THEME 4
4. Are you being discriminated by your employer?
Yes
No
No experience
Freq
43
2
5
INTERPRETATION- The displayed picture shows that the displayed picture shows that 43
respondents are being distributed by the organisation and other 5 says no whereas rest to you
have not being experienced the discrimination. The organisation needs to take various steps
so that all the employees can say there is no discrimination in their organisation.
THEME 5
5. Are you in favour of gender equality?
Yes
No
Freq
33
17

INTERPRETATION- The display picture shows that 33 respondents are in favour of gender
equality where else rest 17 are not in favour of the concept. It is necessary that 100 %
population of employees in the organisation are aware about their rights in the organisation/
regarding gender equality.
THEME 6
6. Do you think that leadership and management can minimise the
discrimination situation at workplace?
Yes
No
Freq
44
6

INTERPRETATION- From the above stated graph it has been exam in that 44 respondents are
agree of the statement that leadership as well as management can reduce the gender
inequality and discrimination where is rest 6 deny it.
THEME 7
7. Does Sainsbury's’s help employees in gender discrimination?
Yes
No
Freq
22
28

INTERPRETATION- It is important for organisation to be aware about the gender
discrimination situation full stop from the shown graph it specifies that 28 respondents and
favour that Sainsbury's help employee’s inequality whereas rest 22 disagree.
THEME 8
8. Does leader use appropriate leadership style in situation of gender
discrimination?
May be
May be not
Freq
33
17
INTERPRETATAION- There are 33 respondents who agree with the style used by leaders in
managing gender equality in the organisation. On the other hand, there are 18nsuch employees
who do not agree. The employees who are not satisfied needs to be cared upon.
THEME 9
9. Does your employer treat you equal at workplace?
Yes
No
Freq
38
12

INTERPRETATAION-
yes
no
Slice 3
Slice 4
There is a total of 12 employees who are not satisfied with the way they are treated in the
organisation. It is important for management and leaders of the organisation to take care of the
fact that they are treating them equally and efficiently.
THEME 10
10. Do you agree that gender equality should use at every field of
organisation?
Yes
N0
Freq
42
8
yes
no
Slice 3
Slice 4
INTERPRETATION- There are a number of employees who believe that the use of
gender equality in every field is necessary. Therefore, the employers need to take care of the fact
and make sure that there are implication of gender equality on every field of work.
Research Outcomes
Considering the information that has been given above has clearly shows that Sainsbury's
would require to develop a range of policies in relation with workplace discrimination because
then only they may become able to pull out favourable outcomes in rightful ways. Also, it is
mandatory for companies like Sainsbury's to enhance the proficiency level. Including this,

reduction or elimination of gender pay gap would help Sainsbury's in improving sustainability in
rightful ways. Also, considering effective training for the management will also increase the
number of opportunities for staff members to gain knowledge in relation with workplace
discrimination. This would help them in reducing the chances of creating any sort of problem.
Also, creating diversity from inside out in the organisation would reduce or remove discriminate
in rightful ways.
Conclusion
From the above report it can clearly be concluded that the concept of gender
discrimination in an organisation needs to be acknowledged by every organisation’s management
so that effective working in an organisation can be carried on without any demotivation present
in the employs. Has been analysed that gender discrimination occurs in every organisation as in
Sainsbury's there is gender discrimination in pay as well as its incentives of the organisation
employs. There are a number of ways through which the organisation can effectively make sure
there is no gender discrimination in the organisation in order to ensure the maximum
productivity and profitability for the organisation. This might include regularly revising the
policies and strategies of the firm. Taking feedback from the employs. And making sure that all
the employs are given proper training and development programmes regarding their gender or
any other factor which might help in discriminating. In this way the organisation is taking steps
to eliminate gender discrimination from the organisation and enhancing the productivity as well
as profitability of the organisation.
Recommendations
With the help of the overall research it has been analysed that it is necessary for a
business to make sure there are no discrimination between gender going on in the workplace. It
is necessary to make sure that the companies are eliminating gender discrimination from their
organisation. When taking Sainsbury's into consideration below mentioned are some of the
recommendation for the managers of the company with the help of which they can effectively
deduct gender discrimination from the organisation:
 It is advised to the managers of the company to make sure that there are training and
development programmes throughout the working period of an employee which will help
them in making sure that they do not create any situation regarding discrimination in

gender in the workplace. It will help in measuring the skills and capabilities of all the
individuals regarding their gender.
 It is also necessary that the top management team of the company make sure that the
strategies and policies of the company are strictly revised in order to eliminate any gender
discrimination policies which are continuing in the organisation.
 Lastly it is recommended for Sainsbury's to make sure that there are research and
investigation done in the organisation continuously to eliminate any discrimination taking
place in the organisation.
Reflection
With the help of the overall experience of me completing this report I have gained a
knowledge about number of things which were earlier unknown in my knowledge. I have
developed a number of skills while conducting this research which will help me in future for
sure. In order to make sure that the research is done in an effective manner there were a number
of efficient tools used by me in order to enhance my capabilities and skills. I learnt how to gather
secondary resources data and what are different ways to make sure that the data which we are
collecting can be reliable. My communication skills also increased while completing this project
as I made sure there were communication with Sainsbury's employs. Also, I made sure that I
overcome all the limitations while conducting this research. This way the research is helping me
in my future personal as well as professional growth. Also, the particular method that I have
considered is qualitative research which will be helping me in gaining knowledge in relation with
the topic.
Alternative research methodologies
Interview is said to be another crucial alternative research methodology, which researcher
would consider if investigator did not consider questionnaire. This would help researcher in
collecting favourable outcomes in simpler but lengthy form. On the other hand, if it is analysed
then considering interview would help researcher in getting better response rate than any other
research methodology. Also, it may deliver results after a particular time than questionnaire.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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