Impact of Covid-19 on Recruitment and Selection in Sainsbury: A Case Study

This study investigates the impact of Covid-19 on recruitment and selection in Sainsbury, one of the largest retailing supermarkets in the UK. The study evaluates different recruitment and selection strategies employed by the retail sector during Covid-19 and assesses the relationship between Covid-19 and strategies used for recruitment and selection within Sainsbury. The study uses a qualitative research approach and thematic analysis to collect and analyze data. The findings suggest that Sainsbury has made modifications in its recruitment and selection process by adopting virtual interviews during and post Covid-19, which has helped to improve efficiency and save time and cost. The study recommends that Sainsbury should continue to adopt effective recruitment and selection strategies to hire the best talent and achieve its goals and objectives.

Individual project Individual
report

Table of Contents
Aim: The aim of the study is to identify the impact of Covid-19 on recruitment and selection
(R&S) in Sainsbury..........................................................................................................................3
Objectives:.......................................................................................................................................3
Literature review:.............................................................................................................................3
Project management plan.................................................................................................................5
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................7
Data collection and analysis(ppt).....................................................................................................9
Finding and discussions...................................................................................................................9
Conclusions....................................................................................................................................10
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................11
Reflection.......................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................5

Topic:To investigate the impact of Covid-19 on Recruitment and Selection within UK retail
industry: A case study on Sainsbury.
Introduction: The entire study is based upon Sainsbury which is one of the third largest retailing
supermarket in UK. It is one of the largest retailer of groceries and has its outlets in various
countries. The company is split into three divisions i.e. Sainsbury supermarket Ltd, Sainsbury
Bank and Argos. The main reason that makes the company different from other supermarkets is
it focus on quality and sustainability(Guo, and Wang, 2019). It always lay emphasis on
adopting effective pricing and marketing strategies which helps in understanding the needs and
preferences of the customer and deliver products accordingly in the market which makes it
competitive to maintain its position in the competitive market.
In order to succeed in the market it is necessary to hire effective and efficient candidates
for the job (Jones, and Comfort, 2020).It has been observed that due to covid-19 , it has forced
the company to make various modifications in its hiring strategies that can help in adopting new
and effective methods of recruiting. The present study is helpful to analyse the impact of covid-
19 on recruitment and selection of the company.
Aim: The aim of the study is to identify the impact of Covid-19 on recruitment and selection
(R&S) in Sainsbury.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of recruitment and selection
 To evaluate different recruitment and selection strategies employed by the retail sector
during Covid-19.
 To assess relationship between Covid-19 and strategies used for recruitment and selection
within Sainsbury.
 To recommend best R&S strategies that can be employ by Sainsbury to hire best talent.
Literature review:
Theme:1 Concept of recruitment and selection
According to the Lumi, (2020) recruitment refers to the set of techniques that is designed
in order to attract candidates having effective skills and potential to work in the company. On the
other hand selection process goes hand in hand with the recruitment process and also represents
the final stage of the recruitment cycle. As per the views of the Kunte, and et.al., (2022) with the
help of right recruitment and selection process help the company to get right people at right place

and possess effective skills and knowledge which help in contribution in the success of the
company. On the contrary the Ochoa-Zezzatti, and et.al., (2021) states that it is considered as the
main component of the management of the company as the success of the company depends
upon the efficiency of the staff and employees.
As per the views of the Ahmed, and et.al., (2020) it is one of the most important
operation in HRM that helps in hiring best and effective talents within the company that assist in
achieving the goals and objectives of Sainsbury. On the contrary, Aurelia, and Momin, (2020)
viewed that every company has different recruitment and selection process that help in recruiting
best and effective talent within the company which also improves the efficiency of the company
and contributes in the achievement of the objectives of the organisation. According to the Best,
and et.al., (2022) , the companies can adopt various types of recruitment process i.e. internal and
external recruitment that help in identifying the skills and knowledge of the candidates which is
best suitable for the company and contributes effectively in achieving the goals of the
organization.
Theme:2 Different recruitment and selection strategies employed by the retail sector
during Covid-19.
As per the views of the Żak, and Garncarz, (2020) , with the emergence of covid-19 has
resulted into various changes in the hiring process as most of the companies adopted work from
home culture due to various restriction imposed by the government. But on the contrary,
Adikaram, and et.al., (2021) believed that retail sector has deeply affected by the crisis due to
the shut down of the stores which led to loss suffered by the company. AS per the view of
Molloy, Varkey, and Walker, (2022) various company made modification sin their recruitment
and selection process and adopt virtual hiring which is cost effective as well. On the contrary
Fana, and et.al., (2020) believed that before pandemic face to face interviews were conducted
by the recruiters and this process involves huge cost and arrangement which is not while taking
online interviews. The Pantano, and et.al., (2020) believed that with the increase in the scope of
digital marketing it has resulted into opportunities for the company to adopt the social media
networks in order to recruit in order to find best talent , advertise job that also help in effectively
communicate with the employees. On the other hand Mayhew, and Anand, (2020) believes the
company is using effective software tools that automates the recruitment process of job postings
and help in finding qualified talent for the company.

Theme: 3 relationship between Covid-19 and strategies used for recruitment and selection
within Sainsbury
According to Mannan, and et.al., (2020) Covid -19 has forced the company to shift to
remote areas and the hiring teams have adopted flexible and collaborative approaches that has
helped Sainsbury to reconstruct their recruitment strategies in order to keep the business move
forward. On the contrary, Alqudah, and et.al., (2021) believed that global pandemic has changes
the view of the employment drastically. As per the view of the Inuaesiet, Okon, and Akpan,
(2021) Covid -19 has led to layoff of most of the employees which resulted into loss suffered by
the company. But in order to balance this , Sainsbury has adopted various new and effective
recruitment strategies and shifted to online culture and started hiring through virtual hiring and
use of social media network in order to hire best and effective talent within the company. On the
other hand , the Zhao, and Kim, (2021) states that the company has adopted diversity, equity and
inclusion at workplace which has helped the company to retain best talent within the company
and also focus towards achieving the goals and objectives of the company. By applying these
practices in recruitment and selection process will help to minimize its cost that was incurred
during the recruitment process where face to face interview was conducted to find best
candidates of the specific job role within Sainsbury.
Project management plan
GANTT CHART

Research Methodology
Research type:Research type is classified into qualitative and quantitative. In the present
research , qualitative research has been adopted by the researcher in order to collect the data
regarding the impact of covid-19 on the recruitment and selection process. Furthermore various
R&S strategies have been adopted by the company by the company operating in retail sector. In
addition to this quantitative is not used in the study.
Research approach:Research approach is divided into two parts i.e. inductive and deductive.
(Castro-Ceacero, and Ion, 2019. )The present survey is related to the inductive research
approach that throws light on the general and specific information related to the strategies
related to recruitment and selection during covid-19 and it also helps in contributing the
qualitative method more effective which helps in accomplishing the purpose of the research
study.

Research philosophy:Research philosophy is categorized into two parts i.e. Interpretivism and
Positivism. For conducting the present study Interpretivism study ha been used in order to
analyse the qualitative data regarding the recruitment and selection in the time of Covid-
19(Dougherty, Slevc, and Grand, 2019). Furthermore, it has also assisted in finding the
genuine data resulting into effective research regarding process and strategies adopted by the
company.
Data collection:It is defined as gathering collection of the information in systematic manner .
Apart with this the data can be collected from two sources primary and secondary data
collection method. In order to both the methods have been adopted by the scholar. Furthermore
for conducting primary research, the researcher has collected the data by interviewing the 2 HR
managers of Sainsbury. In addition to this,for collecting secondary data has been using books,
journals, online articles related to various recruitment and selection process.
Data analysis:It refers to the process of examining , cleansing, modelling and transforming data
with the motive of discovering useful information for supporting the research. Furthermore, it
refers to the practice of working with data in order to analysis gathered
information(Castleberry, and Nolen, 2018). In addition to this, there has been two methods such
as thematic and SPSS for analysing collected data. The researcher has adopted for thematic
approach in order to interpret key finding.
Ethical considerations:It refers to the collection of principle and values that should be followed
by the researcher in order to get relevant information from the interviewee or participants. Apart
form this in order to fulfil ethical aspect of researcher has been signed by the participant that
highlights their willingness to answer the questions relevant to the study. Data protection act has
been complied with the research that specifies that data has been protected. Furthermore,
reference list has been added in the end of the research that represent that data has been collected
from reliable source.
Limitations:In the present research the key limitations faced by the scholar are time, money and
unavailability of resources. Moreover, in order to reduce limitation researcher has been using
thematic analysis for finding the key elements. Apart from this the scholar has not adopted the
quantitative approach due to limited resources for gathering information.
Validity and Reliability:This is one of the most important aspect in research methodology and
scholar has to make use of reliable source in order to collect information for the study. To

enhance the credibility of the study , data has been collected form the published sources after
covid-19. Furthermore, the recruitment and selection criteria of the company has also been taken
into account in order to attain the purpose of the study.
Data collection and analysis(ppt)
Finding and discussions
Theme:1 Various recruitment and selection process adopted by Sainsbury during covid-19
Interviewee-1 Due to covid-19 , our company has to make various modifications in our
recruitment process and our management shifted to online interviews. In order to recruit the
effective candidates adopted virtual job interviews as we came to know that virtual interviews is
efficient but it is also cost effective and saves bot the time of interviewer and interviewee.
Interviewee-2 The management of our company decided to follow the online platforms in order
to conduct the interview process which has helped to know more the candidates and the skills
that we require in order to hire best talent for the company.
Theme:2 Difference between pre recruitment and post covid-19 recruitment process
Interviewee-1 The recruitment process followed by our company before covid was to have face
to face interview and know about the skills and knowledge that have in order to perform the job
role but we have observed that it was time consuming and cost in incurred while post covid-19
we decided to take virtual interviews which is cost effective and saves time of bot the interviewer
and interviewee.
Interviewee-2 I have observed that with the help of shifting to online virtual interviews as it is
more efficient than conducting offline interview and consumes less time. With the help of this
method has helped to save the cost of the company.
Theme:3 effectiveness of recruitment strategies adopted by Sainsbury in attracting best
and effective talent within the company.
Interviewee-1 Yes, it has been observed that the strategies adopted by the company during
covid-19 has helped us to hire effective and best talent within the company as it us to know about
the skills and experience of the candidates applying for the specific job role.
Interviewee-2 Our company has made efforts in making effective recruitment and selection
strategies that has helped us to retain the best and effective talent in the company and also to
attract new and fresh talent within the company.
Theme:4 Has recruitment strategies helpful in overcoming the challenges

Interviewee-1 The recruitment and selection strategies such as shifting to virtual interview has
not only helped to recruit best candidates in the company but also assist in overcome the
challenges faced by the management.
Interviewee-2 The strategies has not completely helped us to overcome the challenges but it has
reduce the impact of pandemic and has helped to make the selection process more effective and
flexible.
Theme:5 Changes in the recruitment strategies help in achieving the goals and objectives of
the company.
Interviewee-1 I think our management is continuously making efforts and modification in its
recruitment and selection process and also has enabled the company to hire best talent within the
company that ill help in achieving the goals and objectives of the company.
Interviewee-2 According to me it takes time to make modifications in the strategies it can be
done in one day and on the other hand it requires planning which can done after analysing the
current situation sin the market. By yes it can be said that changes in the strategies can be helpful
in hiring effective talent and also help in achieving the goals of the organisation.
From the above findings that was done through interviewing it can said that the HR
managers have made modification sin their recruiting and selection process by adopting virtual
interview during and post covid-19 as the company has adopted the work from home culture and
hybrid working. Both the participants is of the opinion that adopting these strategies has helped
to improve the efficiency and also saves the time and cost of the management that is incurred in
recruiting and selection process. Apart form this this these strategies has also help in attracting
and retaining best and efficient talent within the company. Furthermore both the participant is of
the opinion that it has helped in overcoming various challenges that the company has faced due
to pandemic.
Lastly, one of the participant is of the opinion that making such modification has helped
to achieve the objectives of the company whereas on the other hand the other is of the opinion
that the results cannot be reflected in one day it takes time for the strategies in order to achieve
the goals and objectives of the company.
Conclusions
From the above research it can be concluded that recruiting effective candidates in the
company help to achieve its goals and objectives but in order to achieve this it is necessary to

have effective recruitment and selection process that helps in hiring best talent in the company.
Furthermore , with the emergence of covid-19 has resulted into loss in the retail sector due to
various restriction imposed by the government. Various companies have made various changes
and modification in its management. In order to recruit best talent in the company , HR manager
have made various strategies in order to bring new and effective modification in the recruitment
and selection process such as conducting virtual interview which has helped the company to hire
best talent without incurring cost and also save time(Vining, and et.al., 2020).
With the help of primary research conducted by interviewing the HR manager it has been
analysed that in order to hire efficient candidates and to achieve the goals of the company it is
necessary to make changes in the recruitment and selection process. Furthermore, secondary
research has helped to analyse the importance of having effective an skilled employees in the
company in order to move towards achieving the objectives of the company.
Recommendation
From the above analysis:
 It is recommended to Sainsbury to diversify and redefine the job requirements and
present the list of the requirements which should also be inspirational and encouraging
and should reflect on the career growth of an individual.
 It is further suggested that the organisation should lay more emphasis on applying
various tools and techniques and boost the efficiency of the recruitment and selection
process of the company which can be made possible through Artificial Intelligence which
can help in reducing the time and eliminate bias.
 Furthermore, the company can also receive feedback from the candidates and ask about
the experience that will help to analyse the comments and can help in reviewing and
improving the recruitment and hiring process of the company.
 With the advancement in the technology has helped the company to effective adopt
various new tools and techniques which can help in achieving the objectives of the
company.
Reflection
Through this assessment I have gained knowledge about the recruitment and selection
process that is used by the company post covid-19 in order to hire effective candidates within the
company. Furthermore, through this project has enabled to understand the methodologies that

was carried in order to achieve the aim of the study and through this I gained theoretical
knowledge about the types of methodologies that is applied in the study. I analysed that my
project was based on the impact of covid-19 on recruitment and selection I required to access to
the articles and journals which helps me identify various strategies that can bring efficiency n the
recruitment and selection process. This has also helped me to gain more knowledge about the
collection of primary and secondary data.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
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organizational performance: Study of HR challenges in COVID-19 pandemic. Human
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Alqudah, and et.al., 2021, November. Green Human Resource Management and Organizational
Environmental Sustainability During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Conceptual Framework.
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Aurelia, S. and Momin, M.M., 2020. Global reverberation and prediction for HRM amid and
after COVID-19: A technological viewpoint. Materials Today: Proceedings.
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Recruitment. Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research. 14(1). pp.67-79.
Castleberry, A. and Nolen, A., 2018. Thematic analysis of qualitative research data: Is it as easy
as it sounds?. Currents in pharmacy teaching and learning. 10(6). pp.807-815.
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for academics’ scientific productivity. Higher Education Policy.32(4). pp.681-699.
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transparent: Aligning research philosophy, institutional values, and
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Fana, and et.al., 2020. Employment impact of Covid-19 crisis: from short term effects to long
terms prospects. Journal of Industrial and Business Economics.47(3). pp.391-410.
Guo, L. and Wang, Z., 2019. Ratio analysis of J Sainsbury plc financial performance between
2015 and 2018 in comparison with Tesco and Morrisons. American Journal of
Industrial and Business Management.9(2). pp.325-341.
Inuaesiet, V.U., Okon, E.E. and Akpan, J.J., 2021. Effect of Covid-19 on human resource
development and management for socioeconomic sustainability of

organizations. International Journal of Public Administration and Management
Research. 6(1). pp.88-97.
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Jones, P. and Comfort, D., 2020. Sustainability bonds and green bonds in the retail
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Econometric Analysis of Survival Strategies of Recruiting Agencies in Bangladesh. Dr
Khandaker Mursheda, The COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts on Manpower Export: An
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Mayhew, K. and Anand, P., 2020. COVID-19 and the UK labour market. Oxford Review of
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Appendix
Question 1 What recruitment and selection process is followed in the company(Sainsbury)
during pandemic?
Question2 What differences was there in the pre recruitment and post Covid-19
recruitment process?
Question3 Do you think that strategies adopted by the company has able to attract best and
effective talent in the company?
Question 4 Do you think these strategies can help in reducing the challenges faced by the
company during Covid-19?
Question5 Can company be able to make modifications in R&S process to achieve the goals
of the company and minimize the impact of covid-19?
5

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