Managing Gender Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

This research project focuses on the management of gender equality and diversity in the workplace. It analyzes the challenges faced by companies in managing gender discrimination and provides strategies to overcome them. The aim is to determine the obstacles to career progress of women at the workplace, with a case study on BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

RESEARCH PROJECT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Managing of the equality and diversity is very essential for the company in running and
operating the business in more effective and successful manner. This is due to the fact that when
the company manages the equality and diversity then the working efficiency of the company is
increases to a great extent. This research stated that the management of gender equality is very
essential for the company in managing the equality and diversity. This is essential because of the
better and efficient running of the business. The research stated that the women within the
workplace have many difficulties in developing their career because of gender discrimination.
Thus, the research worked on analysing the various challenges which the company faces in
managing the gender discrimination. These challenges were like different cultures, different
mindset and thinking of people. Also, it was seen that there are many different strategies which
will help the company in managing gender discrimination.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................2
RESULTS........................................................................................................................................4
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................14
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
APPENNDIX.................................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
For the success of the company the most essential thing is the managing and proper
maintenance of the diversity and equality within the company. Out of all the aspect of equality
and diversity the most essential is the management of gender inequality to the minimum so that
this will improve the overall working of the company (Pascall and Lewis, 2020). The present
research is based on the analysis of the various obstacles which are faced because of the gender
inequality. The current research will focus over the finding of the different types of strategies
which will assist the company in managing the working environment of the company.
Research Aim:
The aim of this research project is “To determine the obstacles to career progress of women at
workplace. A case study on BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)”
Research Objectives:
 To understand the concept of gender inequality at workplace.
 To assess the barriers that women face in their career progression at workplace.
 To identify the different ways that management of British Broadcasting Corporation can
adopt to overcome the barriers to career progress of women.
Research Questions:
1. What is the concept of gender inequality at workplace?
2. What are the barriers that women face in their career progression at workplace?
3. What are the different ways that management of British Broadcasting Corporation can
adopt to overcome the barriers to career progress of women?
METHODOLOGY
Research type- the type of the research is defined as the method or the process through
which the whole research is being undertaken and reached to the attainment of the research aim
and objective. The research can be completed in two different methods that is qualitative
research and the quantitative research wherein the qualitative is the one in which the attributes
and values relating to the research topic (Hennink, Hutter and Bailey, 2020). On the other side
the quantitative research is the one which includes the analysis of the numbers and numeric
information relating to the research topic. For the present study the use of quantitative research

has been made. This is due to the reason that this will help the researcher in more scientific and
logical manner.
Research approach- the approach is referred to as the assumptions on which the whole
research is being based (Bell, Bryman and Harley, 2018). This is essential to be decided in
advance as this will assist the research in completing the research in good and effective manner.
The approaches of research are of two types that are inductive and deductive. For the completion
of the present research on the topic career progress of women is the use of inductive approach.
This is majorly selected because of the fact that this assists the person in developing aim and
objective and then conducts the whole study over it.
Research philosophy- this is defined as the beliefs and values which underlies the
selection of the various research methods. The philosophy can be of two different types that is
interpretivism and positivism. The interpretivism philosophy is used in order to complete the
present research. This philosophy is being selected because of the fact that this integrated the
interest of human in the study and makes it more practical and effective.
Data collection- this is the essential stage of the whole research as if the data will not be
present in proper and effective manner then the research will not be valid. This is due to the fact
that the whole research is based on the collected data only. Thus, if the data will not be reliable
and valid then the whole research will be in vain. Thus, for this the two sources are present that
is primary and secondary sources of data. For the current study the use of primary data source
has been used in form of questionnaire and use of other literature sources like books, journals,
other articles.
Sampling- the sampling is referred to as the selection of some of the samples from whole
population for testing and research relating to the topic. The sample is required to be selected as
this will make the research more effective. The sample of 30 respondents was selected and the
whole study will be directed on them only.
Data analysis- the analysis of the data is very essential for the success of the research and
this is the most essential step for the research completion. If the data will not be analysed in
proper manner then the whole research will be a failure as the data will not reveal the actual
result (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). Thus, for this the use of thematic analysis was made as this
assisted the researcher in analysing the data with help of graphs, charts and tables.

Ethical consideration- this is most essential aspect of the research to be successful and if
ethics are not maintained then the research will be of no use. For this the most essential thing is
to get the ethical approval form signed by the respondent. This is necessary as this form gives the
researcher the permission to use the personal information in the research and to keep it safe and
secure (Park and Park, 2016).
Research limitation- everything has some limitation and some of the positive thing. Thus,
the research also has some of the limitation like the major one is the time that is the time
provided for the research is very limited and this affected the working of the research to a great
extent. Although the time provided for the research was limited then also the researcher
completed the whole of the research in good and effective manner. Also, the budget for the
research was very limited then also the researcher managed to complete the research in good and
effective manner.
RESULTS
Theme 1: Yes, there is awareness relating to the concept of gender inequality.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Yes 20 66.67
No 10 33.33
Total 30 100
Theme 2: Agree that the policies of the company promote more of the gender inequality.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent

Strongly agree 5 16.67
Agree 10 33.33
Neutral 4 13.33
Disagree 5 16.67
Strongly disagree 6 20
Total 30 100
Theme 3: All of the above is referred to as the gender inequality within the company.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Differentiating among women on the
basis of wages 4 13.33
Giving less opportunities to women 6 20
Not including women in the
management of company 4 13.33
All of the above 16 53.33
Total 30 100

Theme 4: Yes, the gender inequality has a great impact over the working of company and its
productivity.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Yes 22 73.33
No 8 26.67
Total 30 100
Theme 5: Negative impact is there of high gender inequality over the performance of employee
and the company as well.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Positive 5 16.67

Negative 16 53.33
No impact 9 30
Total 30 100
Theme 6: All of the above is the major reason which the company faces in order to provide good
opportunities to women.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Mind set of people that women cannot
work 5 16.67
Conservative thinking 5 16.67
Wage discrimination 6 20
All of the above 14 46.67
Total 30 100

Theme 7: Generation gap and resistance of employees is the major challenge being faced by the
company for providing of better opportunities for women at workplace.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Diverse culture 4 13.33
Socio- economic factors of society 6 20
Generation gap 10 33.33
Employee resistance 10 33.33
Total 30 100
Theme 8: Yes, there are many different strategies which help the company in overcoming the
problem of women employment at workplace.

Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Yes 24 80
No 6 20
Total 30 100
Theme 9: All of the above are better strategy which will assist the company in managing the
career of women at workplace.
Particular Respondent % of Respondent
Implementing gender equality in policies
of company 3 10
Unbiased recruitment and selection
process 2 6.67
Better working environment for women 4 13.33
All of the above 21 70
Total 30 100

Theme 10: Some of the recommendation for the overcoming of challenges for developing
women career.
DISCUSSION
From the above facts and figures it is clear that the company uses many different policies
and practices which creates problem in the career progress of women at the workplace. This is
not at all good practice for the company as this will restrict the growth and development of the
company as if the women workers will not be present in the company then the working of
company will not be good. This is due to the fact that the other people within the industry and the
consumer will not like that the company is not promoting the women employment.
Interpretation 1: from the above data it is clear that the most of the respondent are having
knowledge and awareness relating to the concept of gender inequality. Most of the people think
that gender inequality is defined as providing of less opportunities to women in the business.
Also Stoet and Geary (2018) suggest that gender inequality is referred to as the providing of
fewer opportunities to women as compared to males. However, in against of this some of the
respondent does not agree to this as they have thinking that women must not work within the
company or the corporate sector.
Interpretation 2: with the analysis of the above data and facts and information it is clear
that in the policies of company there is gender inequality present. This is agreed by majority of
the participant as they feel the inequality within the policies and practices of company. This is
pertaining to the fact that major thing is that women are paid less salary to the female employees

and also they are not much involved in the decision making process within the company. Thus,
this suggests that the company is having gender inequality within the company. Also, Falk and
Hermle (2018) add that the wage discrimination is also adding in the gender discrimination
within the company as when the women employees are given fewer wages than the male
employees.
Interpretation 3: on the analysis of the collected and gathered data it is clear that the
gender inequality can take place in many different ways. From the viewpoint of many of the
employees of company the gender inequality includes the discrimination taking place on the
basis of wages paid, providing of low opportunities to the female employees and not including
the female employees in the management and leadership of company. Also, in addition to this
Daly (2019) states that all these are the major basis on which the differentiation on the basis of
gender takes place. All these things demotivate the female employees working within the
company and this also decreases the goodwill of the company. The goodwill is decreased
because if the operations of the company will not be good then the other people will not like it.
Interpretation 4: as per the views of the maximum of the participant it was seen that when
the company practices gender inequality then there are many impact over the working of the
company. This is particularly because of the reason that when the inequality is present in the
company then the employees are not in a position to work in better and effective manner. This is
due to the fact that the unequal behaviour of the company and its practices will hamper the
working efficiency of the employees.
Interpretation 5: as per the views of Brown and Alexandersen (2020) when the company
practices gender inequality then the impact of it over the working of the company and the
performance of the employees is negative. The major reason underlying this fact is that the when
there is inequality present in the company then the working environment of the company is not
good. This is due to the fact that inequality affects the working environment in negative manner
and due to this the performance of employees also decreases. This is also agreed by the majority
of participant that the impact of high gender discrimination is negative only over both the
performance of employees and the overall development of the company.
Interpretation 6: in accordance to Kuhar and Paternotte eds., (2017) there are several
reason which creates difficulties in the career progression of the women in the workplace. These
reasons are many like the mind- set of the people that women cannot work, wage discrimination,

conservative thinking and many others. This is due to the reason that most of the people think
that women are less competent as compared to males working within the company. Thus, due to
these reason that women faces difficulties at time of career progression within the workplace. As
per the majority of the participant it is clear that they agree with the all the options present in the
questionnaire that these are the reason behind women facing issues at time of managing their
career in corporate world.
Interpretation 7: with the analysis of the discussion and the views of different authors it is
evident that there are many different challenges being faced by company at time of providing
good opportunities to the women employees. This was majorly due to the fact that many people
think that the female employees cannot work with more efficiency as compared to the male
employees. The major challenge being faced is the generation gap and resistance of employees.
This is agreed by majority of the participant that both these aspects will affect the working
efficiency of women in company. The generation gap is a challenge as the older people think that
women are less competent and have low knowledge relating to market information. Moreover,
some of the participant feels that the major challenge is the diverse culture and socio- economic
factors of society.
Interpretation 8: from the above analysis and evaluation of the above data it is clear that
there are many different strategies which the company can use in order to manage the problem of
career progress of women. This was agreed as the management of company is very essential for
the success of the business. This is agreed as when the company promotes equality and diversity
in the company then the working of the company will be more effective. Also, from the
viewpoint of many different authors it is clear that the use of various strategies will assist the
company in improving the performance of the company.
Interpretation 9: on the views of Kaufman, Bernhardt and Goldscheider (2017) there are
many different strategies which will assist the company in improving the gender equality within
the company. The major strategy being used by the company is all of the above which includes
implementing of gender equality in policies of company, unbiased recruitment and selection
process and better working environment for women. All these strategies are essential because of
the fact that when these strategies are implemented then the equality will be spread within the
company. This is due to the fact that when the company will implement the equality policies in
the company then the working of the company will be more smooth and effective. In addition to

this another strategy is unbiased recruitment and selection process as this will involve hiring of
the good and effective talent so that no discrimination will take place in the organization. In
addition to this some of the participant also suggested that the creation of better working
environment will assist the company in managing the working efficiency of the employees.
Interpretation 10: with the analysis of the above all discussion and working it is seen that
there is a lot of improvement to be made in the working pattern and style of the company so that
company grows to a great extent. The major recommendation for the company to improve the
gender inequality is that they must include the female employees within the management and
leadership of the company. This is due to the fact that this will motivate the female worker to
work in much better manner and this will improve both the organizational efficiency and the
overall working capacity of the company as well.
CONCLUSION
In the end from the whole study it is concluded and interpreted that the management of
equality and diversity is the most essential thing for the company to manage. This is majorly
because of the reason that when the company will be able to manage the working environment
and equality and diversity then all the employees will work in more effective and efficient
manner. For managing the equality and diversity the most essential thing is to make sure that the
there is no gender inequality. This is basically because of the reason that when there are
inequality on the basis of gender then the employees will not work with great efficiency. Thus,
the current research focused on the analysis of the obstacles which affect the career progress of
women at the workplace. The research initiated by framing of the aim and objectives and then
continuing for the whole research.
Also, all the methods of research which were used in the completion of the research was
listed and this assisted the researcher in gaining the knowledge that which research methods have
to be applied in the research. Also, the research summarised that the major challenges being
faced by the companies in managing gender equality is the diverse cultures, generation gap,
resistance of employees and many others. Also, the research suggested that there are many
different strategies available for the improvement of the challenges like implementing gender
equality policies, unbiased recruitment and selection process so that better and talented
employees can be hired within the company. Also, in the end it was seen that when the company

manages the equality and diversity within the company will assist the company in managing the
business and the success of the company to a great extent.
RECOMMENDATION
With the above analysis it is clear that there is a need for the company to have
improvement in the policies and practices of the business. This is essential as this will prevent
the company from creating and practicing gender inequality within the workplace and hampering
the career progress of women employees.
The major recommendation for the BBC is that they must involve the women employees
in the process of leadership and management of the company. This will motivate the women
employees and they will work with more efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, this will improve
both the efficiency of the employees and the overall business as well.
On the flip side another major recommendation for removing gender inequality for BBC
is that they must provide more the opportunities to the women employees within the company.
This is particularly because of the reason that when the women employees will be provided with
the better opportunities then the women employees will work with more efficiency. Also, this
will improve the goodwill of the company as the women employees will be provided and this
will be liked by other employees as well.
In addition to this another major important recommendation for the company is that they
must create a healthy and happy working environment within the company. This is particularly
because of the reason that when the company creates a good working environment then the
employees feel safe and secure while working in the company.
REFLECTION
There different types of methods that can be used for the purpose of research which
includes quantitative and qualitative method. The qualitative research methods involve obtaining
data using the open-ended conversation. It helps the researcher in understanding what the
audience have in their mind. Through this research method, in-depth information can be
collected. This method involves interviews, content analysis, case study research etc. But the
quantitative method of research has been used in this research. The main reason for selecting this
method is that it helps in gathering more accurate data as it uses statistical and mathematical
techniques. For example, it uses correlation research for determining the relation between the

two entities or causal-comparative research which is used for deducing cause and effect
relationship. Apart from these, primary and secondary data has also been used for the purpose of
gathering relevant information related to the topic. The primary data collection source is
questionnaire, which helps in understanding the changing perspective of the respondents. This
helps in knowing the changes in the behaviour of the respondent under different situations.
Under secondary sources, relevant books, journals, articles are taken into consideration for
meeting the objectives of the research topic with respect to the barriers being faced by women in
career progression, and the ways used for overcoming this barrier. Thus, quantitative method and
both primary and secondary sources of data have been used for meeting the defined objectives.
There are several research methodologies that can be used as an alternative. One of them
is qualitative research that makes use of various types of approaches like focus groups, case
study analysis, interviews which are most widely used for research. This method is preferred
because it helps in understanding the behaviour of the people in the respected field. Another
method that can be used is experimental research methodology as this method helps in knowing
behavioural traits of the people under various circumstances. In this, an experiment is conducted
on a set of audiences in order to observe and later analyse their behaviour under the given
situations. It has been leaned from the review of the outcome what problem that women faced in
their career with respect to existence of inequality in the workplace.
This research project has helped me in my overall personality development. It has given
me an opportunity to expand my knowledge base and competency level. It has assisted me in
identifying my strength and weaknesses. This research has positively impacted my
communication skills which will assist me in performing even better in the future search project
and in gaining more about myself. Some of the recommended actions that can be for further
improving the research on the same topic involves exploration of qualitative analysis in which
the researcher will be adding more and different perspective to the research. This will help useful
in getting varied information which will be different from what has been given here.
Also, this study helped me in analysing the fact that the team working skill in me has
improved because of working on this research. This is due to the fact that at time of working in
the research i came to interact with many of the various people and had to work with them on a
common theme. Thus, this assisted me in developing my team working skill and i was able to
work in more effective manner. Also, the coordination skill improved because of the working in

the team. This is majorly because of the reason that when the work is being done in a team and
this will make sure that all the work if the research is completed in the proper and effective
manner. Also, the research helped me in improving the researching skills as in the research there
are many different types of websites and the other sources as well. This is majorly because of the
reason that when the research is conducted then at that time the data need to be collected and this
was collected from a variety of different sources. Thus, this assisted me in getting my
researching skill more advance and better.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B., 2018. Business research methods. Oxford university press.
Brown, G.R. and Alexandersen, K., 2020. Gender Equality and Gender Gaps in Mathematics
Performance. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
Daly, M., 2019. The Long Road to Gender Equality. Social Politics: International Studies in
Gender, State & Society. 26(4). pp.512-518.
Falk, A. and Hermle, J., 2018. Relationship of gender differences in preferences to economic
development and gender equality. Science. 362(6412).
Hennink, M., Hutter, I. and Bailey, A., 2020. Qualitative research methods. SAGE Publications
Limited.
Kaufman, G., Bernhardt, E. and Goldscheider, F., 2017. Enduring egalitarianism? Family
transitions and attitudes toward gender equality in Sweden. Journal of Family
Issues. 38(13). pp.1878-1898.
Kuhar, R. and Paternotte, D. eds., 2017. Anti-gender campaigns in Europe: Mobilizing against
equality. Rowman & Littlefield.
Park, J. and Park, M., 2016. Qualitative versus quantitative research methods: Discovery or
justification?. Journal of Marketing Thought. 3(1). pp.1-8.
Pascall, G. and Lewis, J., 2020. Emerging gender regimes and policies for gender equality in a
wider Europe. Journal of social policy. 33(3).
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Stoet, G. and Geary, D.C., 2018. The gender-equality paradox in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics education. Psychological science. 29(4). pp.581-593.

APPENNDIX
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. Are you aware of the concept of gender inequality?
 Yes
 No
Q2. Do the policies of the company include the gender inequality at the workplace?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q3. Out of the following what is gender inequality within the company?
 Differentiating among women on the basis of wages
 Giving less opportunities to women
 Not including women in the management of company
 All of the above
Q4. Does the gender inequality have an impact over the working of employees and the
productivity of company?
 Yes
 No
Q5. What is the major impact over the productivity of the company and performance of
employees?
 Positive
 Negative
 No impact
Q6. What are the reason because of which women faces difficulties in the career progression at
workplace?

 Mind set of people that women cannot work
 Conservative thinking
 Wage discrimination
 All of the above
Q7. What are the major challenges being faced by company in providing good opportunities for
women employees to work?
 Diverse culture
 Socio- economic factors of society
 Generation gap
 Employee resistance
Q8. Are there any strategies which will assist BBC in overcoming with the problem of career
progress of women?
 Yes
 No
Q9. From the following what strategies, the company can adopt in order to manage the career of
women?
 Implementing gender equality in policies of company
 Unbiased recruitment and selection process
 Better working environment for women
 All of the above
Q10. What are some of the suggestion which will help the company in providing better
opportunities to women at workplace?