Workplace Discrimination and its Impact on Employee Performance at Amazon

This research investigates the concept of workplace discrimination and its impact on employee performance at Amazon. It explores the various factors through which Amazon can remove workplace discrimination. The aim of the research is to determine the impact of workplace discrimination on employee performance, with a focus on Amazon. The research objectives include analyzing the concept of workplace discrimination, examining its influence on employee performance at Amazon, and identifying strategies to remove workplace discrimination. The research follows an interpretivism philosophy and utilizes an inductive approach. The data collection method is through surveys. The timeline of research activities is also provided.

Research project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview of Research.................................................................................................................1
Background of Research.............................................................................................................1
Rationale of Research.................................................................................................................1
Research Aim..............................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives....................................................................................................................2
Research Questions.....................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Workplace discrimination concept..............................................................................................3
Impact of workplace discrimination over employees performance of Amazon.........................3
Various factors through which Amazon can remove the workplace discrimination..................4
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................6
Research Philosophies.................................................................................................................6
Research Approaches..................................................................................................................6
Research Strategies ....................................................................................................................7
Research Choices........................................................................................................................7
Data Collection............................................................................................................................7
TIMELINE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................8
RFFERENCES.................................................................................................................................9

TOPIC: Workplace discrimination
INTRODUCTION
Overview of Research
Discrimination at workplace depends on the certain prejudices and then occurs
employees are treated in an unfavourable manner due to sexuality, religion, gender, race and
some other factors. It diminishes the human capital while developing hostile work environment
for employees and employers. The Workplace discrimination can be occur when a person is
discriminated adversely against due to the many factors. This is a prejudicial treatment at
workplace which impact recruiting, promotion, training, firing etc. on the basis of age, race,
gender, sexual orientation etc. the discrimination in an organisation takes place when manager
discriminate against employees in context to the work- related decisions consisting such
problems like hiring, promotions, firing and also availability of advantages. In context to this,
there are some laws developed through government to remove the discrimination and develop
positive environment at workplace (Opie and Roberts, 2017). The employment discrimination
laws are related to state and federal laws which prohibit the managers from treating their
employees depends on attributes unrelated to the job performance.
Background of Research
Discrimination at the workplace is taken place when employer discriminate against the
employee in context to employment interrelated assessments consisting concerns such as
staffing, promotions etc. In this, there are some laws developed through government to defend
the people of the company from any kind of favouritism in workplace. In an organisation, main
discrimination is related to the gender means male and female. At the workplace, employee
perform the complex tasks for survival and increase productivity of company but the gender
discrimination minimized satisfaction level of employees, enthusiasm, commitment and enhance
stress level which impact performance of employee (Kite and Whitley Jr, 2016).
Rationale of Research
This report is supported to the Workplace Discrimination and its collision on the
employee performance in an organisation. Through conducting this research, learner can know
about the perception of working environment favouritism and in what manner this influence the
performance of employees. This gives relevant information and determine the factors which

affecting employee performance level. By conduct this investigation, knowledge base and core
competencies of learner will be improved and it can capable to execute the research activities in
future. Amazon is multinational technology firm that centre on the cloud computing, artificial
intelligence, e- commerce etc. It is one of the largest Internet firm by revenue in world. Amazon
company face the issue of discrimination related to gender and racial discrimination. It urbanized
negative collision on the employees presentation as well as organisational productivity
(Newheiser, Barreto and Tiemersma, 2017).
Research Aim
The aim of this investigation is “To determine impact of workplace discrimination over
employees performance.” A study on Amazon.
Research Objectives
 To analyse concept of Workplace intolerance.
 To analyse the influence of workplace favouritism over workers presentation of Amazon.
 To examine the various factors through which Amazon can remove the workplace
discrimination.
Research Questions
 What is workplace unfairness concept?
 What is collision of workplace inequity over workforce’ presentation of Amazon?
 What are various factors through which Amazon can remove the workplace
discrimination?

LITERATURE REVIEW
It is body of the text that main aim is to review significant points of the present
information on particular topic. It is process of current relevant literature related to specific topic
area. The literature review is helpful in provide the critical evaluation of the work critical
(Martinez and et.al.., 2016).
Workplace discrimination concept
As per opinion of Lisa Finn (2019) Workplace discrimination is treating someone
unfavourably due to personal characteristics which proposed through legislations. This is adverse
employment action against the employee due to race, colour, religion, gender, disability and
some other factors. The discrimination at place of work can have the overwhelming
consequences on wrongdoer and fatality. Under this, Equal pay act, Age discrimination act and
Civil rights act are the different federal legislations which protect the staff members legally from
discrimination. The discrimination negatively impact on the mindset and employees performance
because it reduces the employees morale. In context to this, Perceived discrimination has impact
on working environment and employees both. These consist poor working culture when staff
losses focus and also exhibits productive work behaviours. It impacts negatively in
implementation projects on specific time period, departure early and also reaching late. Leaders
have necessary role in promoting the working environment that fosters awareness of diverse
workplace. This is necessary to assure all staff members should be aware and also understand the
organisational policies and practices effectively. In order to making the working environment
positive, there is a need to manager to do not discriminate and treat all the employees equally so
that the work environment can be positive and all of them are working together. It will help in
enhancing sales and also productivity level of an organisation.
Impact of workplace discrimination over employees performance of Amazon
According to opinion of Antonia Blumberg (2018) Discrimination outcomes in
strengthen the inequality and consequence in the poor worker morale, poor obligation and high
turnover which negative influence on execution scale of an establishment. In addition to this,
Unlawful discrimination at workplace has the negative consequences for employees and
employer both. In this, discriminatory practices can have affect on commercial business
reputation, staff commitment, impact productivity performance etc. Amazon is a large size

Internet establishment and it provides the online services and products to consumers over its
application. This company has more than 610000 staff members and it has issue with the
employment discrimination. It has been sued for the cultural favouritism and illegal death on
basis of disability inequity. The family members of dead person alleged that failure of the
Amazon give the disability compensation and some of the contractually mandated advantages.
These things develop negative impact on the employees which are working in company and also
on organisational reputation. On the other hand, Amazon company is facing the lawsuit from two
employees which alleges that firm threatened and harassed them physically. On the basis of
lawsuit, harassment and discrimination entailed being internationally that referred through make
pronouns with purpose and impact of the humiliating (Gao and Zhang, 2015).
Various factors through which Amazon can remove the workplace discrimination
According to Joanna Weekes (2019), Discrimination means treating an individual less
favourable than other because of some circumstances. Under this, there is a need to
manager to treating the employees in fair manner so that they can capable to execute in
better style. As Amazon is big company and it needs to adopt the effective ways to remove
discrimination from workplace. There are some different ways mention below:
Training- This is imperative to train all the managers and interviews to be more familiar
with the discrimination laws. These will be helpful to assure that at the tome of interview or
conduct meeting among manager and employees the subject could be constructed as to
discriminating will not approached. Manager of Amazon should provide training to employees
and aware them about the Disabilities Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act etc.
These will help them in understanding laws properly and also aware about the consequences if
any kind of discrimination found at workplace (Little and et.al., 2015).
Review on the policy- It is necessary to having the anti- discrimination policy at
workplace. In order to removing discrimination from workplace, Amazon should have the anti-
discrimination policy that set the proper behaviour standard. All the staff members should be
familiar with policy to assure that each person known about racial discrimination that will not
tolerated.
Communicate- Employer should encourage the communication through assuring that the
staff members feel more comfortable to discussing their concerned with the HR and supervisor at

workplace. If any person feel discriminated then it is necessary that they feel comfortable and
safe so that they can able to work effectively (Walani, 2015).

METHODOLOGY
Methodology is cautious deliberation of study associated to specific disquiet utilising the
technical method. It is orderly investigation to describe, predict and manage pragmatic
occurrence. This is utilised to collect information and knowledge for purpose of making better
assessments associated to commerce. This is systematic approach that should be followed
through researcher for getting the accurate data (Drydakis, 2015). In defining methodology in
detailed manner, there is Research Onion considered. Different stages of research onion given
below:
Research Philosophies
It is foremost layer of research onion that has do with set of the viewpoint disturbed with
nature of the actuality that is being investigated. Different research philosophies are mention
below:
Positivism philosophy- This is supported to idea that the technical knowledge is truce and
characterised through hypotheses testing that derived from existing knowledge theory.
Interpretivism philosophy- It emphasizes on use of qualitative research method to obtain
outcomes. This is seen playing a necessary role in making the sense and also interpreting
gathered data (Thoroughgood, Sawyer and Webster, 2017).
This present investigation will be considered the interpretivism philosophy because it
helps in examining the authors opinions and give positive outcomes.
Research Approaches
It is based on previously- made choices and provide the positive outcomes. Inductive and
deductive are different research approaches which given below:
Inductive approach- It is helpful when there is small research area. In this researcher
move in opposite direction to description and observation for the analysis.
Deductive approach- It tends to stream from the general to detailed. Any investigator
using this approach on research hypothesis that tested by collection of the data.
This investigation will be based on inductive approach because it gives probability to
completing the work and gain proper understanding about the specific area of research in an
effective manner (Stone and Elbers-Carlisle, 2020).

Research Strategies
It is third layer of research onion that related with collect data for conduct an
investigation. These consist experiment, case study, survey etc. In this examination, survey will
be utilised because it assists in gathering more data and answer investigation questions (Crom
and et. al., 2018).
Research Choices
This layer of research onion is related with the quantitative and qualitative methods, there
is a need to select the effective method that gives better outcomes. The qualitative research
system will be utilised as it offers the rich information by consisting explanation and opinions.
Data Collection
It is associated to congregation information and data by using the reliable and authentic
sources in an effective manner. There is primary and secondary technique of data gathering
which helps in giving the relevant information regarding particular area. In this investigation,
primary method of data collection is more effective because it provides the fresh data and
information so that positive outcomes can be concluded (Di Marco, D. and et. al., 2018).

TIMELINE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Timeline is helpful in managing the activities and completed them within given time
period. It is presentation of chronological sequence of the activities that enable to understand
quickly. This is visual presentation that show overview of the timeline for research related
activities and also inter- dependence. Each activity or task is represented with bar chart that
displaying the beginning and ending date in a clear manner. In order to managing the time,
researcher use the Gantt chart and manage all research activities on the basis of set time period. It
is timeline that used to illustrate how project will be run (Cunningham-Parmeter, 2015). It
provides graphical illustration of timetable that aids to plan, organize and also track the specific
works in project. Gantt chart is helpful in understand activities to monitor project effectively. In
context to research, teams can use the Gantt chart to replace the meeting and increase status
update. The Gantt chart gives the ability to teams to focus on work at front of task timeline. On
the other hand, Gantt chart keeps management updated and also informed regarding additional
resources which need and also manage the dependencies among tasks.

RFFERENCES
Books & Journals
Opie, T. and Roberts, L.M., 2017. Do black lives really matter in the workplace? Restorative
justice as a means to reclaim humanity. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An
International Journal.
Kite, M.E. and Whitley Jr, B.E., 2016. Psychology of prejudice and discrimination. Psychology
Press.
Newheiser, A.K., Barreto, M. and Tiemersma, J., 2017. People like me don't belong here:
Identity concealment is associated with negative workplace experiences. Journal of
Social Issues, 73(2), pp.341-358.
Martinez, L.R. and et.al.., 2016. Selection BIAS: Stereotypes and discrimination related to
having a history of cancer. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(1), p.122.
Gao, H. and Zhang, W., 2015. Does Workplace Discrimination Impede Innovation?. Retrieved
August, 5, p.2015.
Little, L.M. and et.al., 2015. Professional image maintenance: How women navigate pregnancy
in the workplace. Academy of Management Journal, 58(1), pp.8-37.
Walani, S.R., 2015. Global migration of internationally educated nurses: Experiences of
employment discrimination. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 3, pp.65-
70.
Drydakis, N., 2015. Sexual orientation discrimination in the United Kingdom’s labour market: A
field experiment. Human Relations, 68(11), pp.1769-1796.
Thoroughgood, C.N., Sawyer, K.B. and Webster, J.R., 2017. What lies beneath: How paranoid
cognition explains the relations between transgender employees' perceptions of
discrimination at work and their job attitudes and wellbeing. Journal of Vocational
Behavior, 103, pp.99-112.
Stone, A.L. and Elbers-Carlisle, S.K., 2020. Workplace Racial Discrimination, Negative
Emotions Based on Treatment Due to Race, and Substance Use. Substance Use &
Misuse, 55(12), pp.1925-1934.
Crom, D.B. and et. al., 2018. Workplace experiences and turnover intention among adult
survivors of childhood cancer. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 12(4), pp.469-478.
Di Marco, D., Hoel, H., Arenas, A. and Munduate, L., 2018. Workplace incivility as modern
sexual prejudice. Journal of interpersonal violence, 33(12), pp.1978-2004.
Cunningham-Parmeter, K., 2015. Marriage equality, workplace inequality: The next gay rights
battle. Fla. L. Rev., 67, p.1099.
Lindsay, S., Cagliostro, E. and Carafa, G., 2018. A systematic review of workplace disclosure
and accommodation requests among youth and young adults with disabilities. Disability
and rehabilitation, 40(25), pp.2971-2986.
Online
Blumberg, A., 2018. Amazon Faces Another Claim It Discriminated Against Workers. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/amazon-muslim-workers-
discrimination-complaint_n_5cd35615e4b09f321bdb6836?ri18n=true>.
Finn, L., 2019. The Effects of Discrimination in the Workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://careertrend.com/effects-discrimination-workplace-2727.html>.

Weekes, J., 2017. 8 ways to prevent discrimination in your workplace. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/8-ways-to-prevent-
discrimination-in-your-workplace/>.
Opie and Roberts, 2017
Kite and Whitley Jr, 2016
Newheiser, Barreto and Tiemersma, 2017
Martinez and et.al.., 2016
Gao and Zhang, 2015
Little and et.al., 2015
Walani, 2015
Drydakis, 2015
Thoroughgood, Sawyer and Webster, 2017
Stone and Elbers-Carlisle, 2020
Crom and et. al., 2018
Di Marco, D. and et. al., 2018
Cunningham-Parmeter, 2015
Lindsay, Cagliostro and Carafa, 2018