Role of Equality and Diversity Practices in Reducing Workplace Discrimination

This research study focuses on the role of equality and diversity practices in reducing workplace discrimination. It includes a case study on TESCO and explores the concept and significance of workplace discrimination, different practices of equality and diversity, and the benefits gained by the company. The research methodology includes both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Proposal for Business
consultancy project
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Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the research .............................................................................................................4
Literature Review.........................................................................................................................4
Project design and methodology..................................................................................................6
Ethics, validity and reliability......................................................................................................8
Project plan..................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References .....................................................................................................................................13
Appendices.....................................................................................................................................15
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TITLE: “To identify the role of equality and diversity practices in declining level of workplace
discrimination in an organisation”. A case study on TESCO
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity at workplace simply means to provide equal rights to the employees
so that they can work effectively and positively. There are various strategies is adopted by higher
authorities of an organisation in order to implement equality and diversity practices at workplace.
In order to reducing workplace discrimination, it is important for an entity to develop effective
strategies so that productivity and efficiency of employees and organisation increase (Shen and
Dhanani, 2018). Due to workplace discrimination, many issues and conflicts arise between the
employees that has negative impact on the efficiency and profitability of the company. For the
present study, TESCO is taken into consideration. The company offer high quality grocery and
home essential in the market. its head office is located in United Kingdom and serve products in
more than 18 counties. At the initial of the report, aims and objective of research is developed
associated with the workplace discrimination. In addition to this, there is discussion about
research methodologies and development of project plan.
Aim:
The aim of the current research is “To analyse role of equality & diversity practices in reducing
impact of workplace discrimination within the organisation”. A case study on TESCO
Research objectives
 To know the concept and significance of workplace discrimination
 To identify different practices of equality and diversity that will help TESCO in
declining discrimination at workplace.
 To determine benefits gained by company by reducing workplace discrimination within
the organisation.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept and significance of workplace discrimination?
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 What are the different practices of equality and diversity that will help TESCO in
declining discrimination at workplace?
 What are the benefits gained by company by reducing workplace discrimination within
the organisation?
Rationale of the research
The present research is conducted on the topic “workplace discrimination”. The objective
to choose the topic is to gain knowledge about workplace discrimination and its impact on the
organisational performance (Jozwiak, 2019). In addition to this, the companies are developing
effective strategies for declining discrimination and to gain an insight about this, the topic is
chosen It is determined that higher authorities of TESCO uses equality and diversity practices so
that they can reduce it and enhance the productivity of organisation (Vokić, Obadić and Ćorić,
2019). In addition to this, TESCO gain several benefits by implementing such practices that is
interested to know and the reason to choose the topic. In addition to this, the objective of
conducting research is to improve own skills that is analytical skills, communication, time
management, conflict management and so on(Ashurst, 2019). Development of all this skills wills
surely help researcher to conduct research effectively in the coming future.
Literature Review
To know the concept and significance of workplace discrimination
As per the view point of Vickers, (2016), it is determine that there is negative influence
on the overall performance as well as productivity of the organisation due to workplace
discrimination. In addition to this, it creates conflicts at workplace and develop issues among the
higher authorities and employees. It has been analysed that workplace discrimination is done on
the basis of caste, gender, physical appearance, background, education, experience and many
more. This discrimination put the pressure on staff members due to which their efficiency of
performing work is declined. In addition to this, it impact on the morale and confidence level of
staff members due to which organisational objectives is not achieved on time
period(Marchiondo, Ran and Cortina, 2018). In addition to this, it can also be arise if the men
and women prevailing in organisation did not get the same opportunity. It is determine that
workplace discrimination develops a negative mind set of employees towards the company and
impact negatively on the growth and development of an organisation. Therefore, it is analyse that
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workplace discrimination has negative impact on the performance and productivity of the
company
To identify different practices of equality and diversity that will help TESCO in declining
discrimination at workplace.
According to the view point of kin, (2019), it is stated that there are various strategies
used by companies on order to decline the level of workplace discrimination and develop a
positive working environment in organisation. One of strategy is to provide equal opportunity to
man and women working in the company as it motivate them due to which they work with full
potential towards the achievement of objectives. Another strategy is to provide training session
to staff members in order to make then understand about culture and diversity practices and what
actions is taken by mangers in order to reduce discrimination at workplace (Nachmias,
Aravopoulou and Caven, 2019). In addition to this, it is important for higher authorities to
evaluate the performance of employees so that it can improve rapidly and effectively. Moreover,
another strategy is to analyse behaviour as well as attitude of employees as it help in resolving
the issues and challenges faced by them within the company. All this strategies assist an
organisation to effectively implement cultural and diversity practices and decline the level of
workplace discrimination.
As per the view point of Sharon Florentine, (2019) It is important for higher authorities to
check whether all this policies is followed or not as it help in making improvements and leads to
attainment of positive results (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019). Furthermore, another strategy is
allowing employees to participate in the decision making that is to share their thoughts and ideas
to other members and higher authorities of company. it not only boost the morale and confidence
of employee but also brings out creativity that is beneficial in order to compete with the rivals. It
is determine that an effective strategy is one, which is adopt by employees without any
arguments and conflicts so it is important for an entity to consider the requirement and behaviour
of employees before implementing any strategy related with the decline in the workplace
discrimination within the organization.
From the above discussion, it has been analysed that view of authors is different as
according to Kin one of the effective practice for declining discrimination is giving equal
opportunity to male and female employees. On the other hand, view point of Sharon Florentine
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is allow participation of all staff members in decision making is effective and suitable strategy
for respective company.
To determine benefits gained by company by reducing workplace discrimination within
the organisation.
On the basis of opinion of Cohn, (2019), it is determine that adopting various strategies
as well as policies helps an entity to gain benefits in an effective manner. The benefit gained by
company is increase in productivity as due to implementation of equality and diversity practices
employee feel motivated and put their full potential in order to attain the objectives or goals of
company within stipulated time frame. Another benefit is development of positive working
environment and decline in the rate of absenteeism of employees (Samina, 2018). It assist
company to fully utilise its resources that leads to attainment of positive and desirable outcomes.
In addition to this, the reputation of company is increased at marketplace that help in attaining
leading position and to achieve higher success and growth at market.
According to Russell Huebsch, (2019) it is analysed that one of thee benefit is retention of
employees as company is able to engage staff members for longer time period and save its cist of
hiring new candidate for the organisation. It assist company to enhance its profitability as well as
revenue level that is considered as an objective of every organization. Furthermore, there is
positive impact on the efficiency and market position of company as the motivated employees
provide quality and on time service to customer. Along with this, there is decline in the turnover
rate of organization as employees did not prefer to leave the company when they are working in
a positive environment. This will lead to increase in efficiency as well as profitability of the
company in an effective manner (Shen and Dhanani, 2018).
The above discussion states that perception of both the authors is different. As per author
Cohn, the benefit that is gained by an entity is increase in performance level of employees
whereas according to Russell Huebsch, the benefit received by company is employee satisfaction
and retention as well.
Project design and methodology
Research methodology is defined as an important part of investigation that clearly states the
methods adopted by the researcher for further investigation in order to gain out appropriate and
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positive results (Kumar, 2019). In relation to the present research, researcher have made use of
various methods of research, which are as follows:
Research approach- In the present study, inductive research will be used that consist of
data in a graphical manner. IN addition to this, it will also help in gaining valid and reliable
research outcome.
Types of investigation: All the information collected from various sources will be
analysed by the help of quantitative method. This method will help researcher in gaining
appropriate outcome in an effective and quicker manner as well (Daniel, 2018).
Qualitative method: It is defined as a method of gathering non-numerical data in order to
gain an understanding about the particular topic. The qualitative data is collected from the
various sources such as observation, group discussion and many more. In this, the question is
developed in s semi-structured way in order to gain valid results.
Quantitative method: It is defined as a method of collecting data that is numerical in
nature. In addition to this, quantitative method is adopt when there is large sample size and
population as well. Quantitative data is collected by different sources such as correlation
research, online polls, sampling methods and many more (Bairagi and Munot, 2019). It is highly
structured and consist of close ended questions.
In the present research, quantitative method will be adopt by investigator and herein
sampling method as a quantitative method is going to use for the further study. In order to
analyse the gather information, researcher will make use of qualitative method so that positive
outcome is developed that is based on human perceptions. The reason of choosing qualitative
method is to gain an in-depth knowledge about the particular topic that help in gaining positive
results and draw a valid conclusion.
Data collection method: It is describe as a method that help researcher to collect data
associated with the particular topic in an effective manner. In addition to this, there are two types
of data collection methods that is primary as well as secondary research methods. The
investigators uses this methods in order to draw a valid and reliable conclusion. In the present
study, secondary method data collection will be going to use by the researcher. This data will be
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collected by various sources such as online articles, Journals, books, magazines and many more.
It is the data that has already collected by the investigators by using different sources.
Sampling: It is defined as a process of selecting a segment from the whole population in
order to conduct the research in an effective manner. There are mainly two types of sampling
methods that is probability sampling and non-probability sampling method. In the present report,
random sampling which is a probability sampling method. The respondents which are selected
by adopting random sampling method are employees of TESCO. One of the main advantage of
using random sampling method is that each member have being equal chance of being studied
for research, which means that sample is chosen in an unbiased manner (De Groot and
Spiekerman, 2020). In addition to this, the sample size of research is 40.In this, the respondents
is selected rapidly and question is asked to them, which is given by them as per their experience
and knowledge as well.
Ethics, validity and reliability
 Informed consent – It is important to be consider by investigator in order to carry out
activities in an effective and proper manner. According to this, an individual who is
involved in data collection have the right of informed consent.
 Respect for confidentiality & anonymity – It is essent ial for researcher to follow all the
legislation related with the investigation. Along with this, it is important for investigator
to ensure data collected by respondents is kept confidential and did not use in a wrongful
manner.
 The data that is collected by the investigator is accurate and valid that help in gaining out
positive outcome. In addition to this, it also assist in draw a valid as well as reliable
conclusion.
 The data that is collected is reliable and help in gaining in-depth knowledge about the
particular topic. Along with this, it is important to have proper information as investigator
is reliable on this information in order to conduct the whole research.
Project plan
It is considered as a blueprint of the overall activities implemented by the researcher and is
associated with the factors such as cost, time and many more factors. In addition to this, it
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involve strategies as well as plans, which support on the overall implementation of project in an
effective manner. In context to the present research, researcher have developed project plan for
better and proper execution of research. The elements of project plan is given below:
Cost: It is defined as the amount that is occurred in order to implement the investigation in
an effective manner. In the present research, the total cost is occurred $50 in order to implement
all the activities in an effective manner. It is important for researcher to set the budget for every
activity so that all the activities is planned in a proper manner.
Time: It is defined as the time required for completion of the research in a proper manner.
For the present research, there is around 5 months is required in order to complete the research in
a proper manner. It is essential for investigator to consider time while implementing the activities
of the research.
Risk: In every project, there is some risk is associated with the project that is required to
analyse by the researcher. The risk that is included are misuse of data, confidentiality and so on.
All this impact on the reliability of the project and develop a negative image of investigator
within the market.
Resources: The present research implemented for TESCO on the topic workplace
discrimination and require various range of resources. It involve labour, capital, land and many
more.
By analysing the above discussion, it is determined that all the elements of plan is needed
to be evaluate by the researcher in order to gain positive outcome. In addition to this, it help in
developing effective strategies so that overall research is execute in an effective and rightful
manner.
Work breakdown structure: It is defined as a tool that help researcher in dividing the
overall task into smaller activities so that things can be implement in a structured and effective
way. It is determine that breaking down the whole project to the group members directly leads to
better productivity and it is cost effective also.
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Gantt Chart
It is a graphical representation of all the project activities that is included in order to
complete the project in an effective and timely manner. Gantt chart includes initial time and
ending time of every activity that is conduct by the researcher. This chart help in completing the
project within the time period in a systematic and appropriate manner.
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Conclusion
From the above study, it has been concluded that it is important for an entity to decline the
level of workplace discrimination. It can be done by using various strategies such as training
session to employees, equal opportunity to staff members, allow them to participate in
decision making and many more. It help company to gain benefits such as increase in
productivity, employee retention, building of reputation and so on. There are two types of
data collection method that is primary and secondary that help in gaining in-depth
knowledge about the particular topic in an effective manner.
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References
Books & Journal
Baur, J. E., and et. al., 2018. Beyond banning the box: A conceptual model of the stigmatization
of ex-offenders in the workplace. Human Resource Management Review, 28(2), pp.204-
219.
Cockayne, D. G., 2018. Underperformative economies: Discrimination and gendered ideas of
workplace culture in San Francisco’s digital media sector. Environment and Planning
A: Economy and Space, 50(4), pp.756-772.
Colella, A. and King, E. eds., 2018. The Oxford handbook of workplace discrimination. Oxford
University Press.
Georgiadou, A., Gonzalez-Perez, M. A. and Olivas-Lujan, M. R. eds., 2019. Diversity Within
Diversity Management: Types of Diversity in Organizations. Emerald Group
Publishing.
Harnois, C. E. and Bastos, J. L., 2018. Discrimination, harassment, and gendered health
inequalities: do perceptions of workplace mistreatment contribute to the gender gap in
self-reported health?. Journal of health and social behavior, 59(2), pp.283-299.
Heilman, M. E. and Caleo, S., 2018. Gender discrimination in the workplace.
Kato, T. and Kodama, N., 2018. The effect of corporate social responsibility on gender diversity
in the workplace: econometric evidence from Japan. British Journal of Industrial
Relations, 56(1), pp.99-127.
Marchiondo, L. A., Ran, S. and Cortina, L. M., 2018. Modern discrimination.
Nachmias, S., Aravopoulou, E. and Caven, V., 2019. Diversity and Equality Issues in Modern
Organisations. In Inequality and Organizational Practice (pp. 17-43). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
Samina, S., 2018. Managing diversity and gender equality in the workplace (Doctoral
dissertation, Dublin Business School).
Shen, W. and Dhanani, L., 2018. Measuring and defining discrimination. The Oxford handbook
of workplace discrimination, pp.297-312.
Syed, J. and Ozbilgin, M., 2019. Managing diversity and inclusion: An international perspective.
SAGE Publications Limited.
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Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited. Litosseliti, L. ed., 2018. Research methods in linguistics. Bloomsbury
Publishing.
Daniel, B.K., 2018. Empirical verification of the “TACT” framework for teaching rigour in
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Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
De Groot, A.D. and Spiekerman, J.A., 2020. Methodology: Foundations of inference and
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Ashurst, A., 2019. Equality and diversity training for care staff. Nursing And Residential
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In Gender Equality in the Workplace (pp. 75-104). Palgrave Pivot, Cham.
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Appendices
Gantt chart: It is an effective tool of time management that will be used by researcher for
managing time of each activity (Collison and Marchesseault, 2018). These activities are shown
in graphical way:
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