Research Project (Equality and Diversity in the workplace).

Research Project
(Equality and Diversity in the
workplace)
1

Executive Summary
This research project is mainly based on the theme of equality and diversity and under this
theme workplace discrimination is a chosen topic. Main purpose of this report is to find out the
influence of equality as well as diversity practices in reducing discrimination at workplace within
SOHO Wholesale. In order to accomplish this motive, various activities was completed by
investigator successfully. Review of literature is effective because it supported in gathering of
secondary data. Research methodology has been done by using primary methods for collecting
quantitative information by using questionnaire. Data analysis has been completed with the
support of questionnaire. Conclusion was done by summarising entire information of report in
short and clear manner.
2

Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Research proposal including research questions and literature review ......................................4
Different methods and approaches of research for conducting primary and secondary
investigation.................................................................................................................................6
Research methods apart from their justifications ........................................................................8
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
Primary and secondary research by using cost, access and ethical issues ................................10
Analysation of research findings and data ................................................................................10
Merits, Pitfalls and limitations of the data collection and data analysis approaches.................16
Communication of research outcomes to the indented audience ..............................................16
Reflection ..................................................................................................................................19
Alternative research methodology and lesson learnt in view of the research outcomes ..........20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................21
3

INTRODUCTION
Equality is regarding making sure each person has an equal chance, and is not treated
unfavourably due to their characteristics. Diversity is regarding taking account of the differences
among employee and groups of employee, and placing a favourable value on those differences
(Abendroth and et. al., 2017). Both are effective practices that will be essential within an
organisation in reduction of workplace discrimination effectively. For this project SOHO
Wholesale is a chosen Ladies clothing wholesalers supplying retailers and chain stores in
London. Company faced discrimination issue at their workplace that has negative impact on
them and their employees.
TASK 1
Research proposal including research questions and literature review
Discrimination within a workplace is based on some prejudices and takes place when an
employee is not treated favourably due to their gender, religion, pregnancy, sexuality, race and
maternity or disability (Abraham, 2017). Workplace discrimination has negative effect over
employees as well as an organisational productivity by maximising turnover rate of employees,
reducing productivity, increasing harassment etc.
Research Aim: “To determine the influence of equality and diversity practices in reducing
workplace discrimination within an organisation.” A Case study on SOHO Wholesale
Research objectives
 To know the idea of discrimination at workplace.
 To determine several benefits that SOHO Wholesale will obtain by elimination of
workplace discrimination. To find out ways through which equality and diversity practices for preventing workplace
discrimination.
Research Questions:
 Explain about the concept of workplace discrimination.
 What are the several benefits that SOHO Wholesale will obtain by elimination of
workplace discrimination?
 What are the effective ways through which equality and diversity practices for reducing
workplace discrimination?
4

Literature Review
It is important section of research project that facilitates in gathering of data by using
secondary sources which are articles, publication research, journals, magazines and so on. As per
the present investigation, the main research gap is the influence of equality and diversity
practices in overcoming discrimination within an organisation (Bryson, 2017). For overcoming
research gap, there will be requirement of using research questions which has been explained as
below:
Explain regarding the idea of discrimination in a workplace.
As per viewpoint of Buttner and Lowe, (2017), Workplace discrimination is a biggest
issues that effects on employee's performance and productivity level. Discrimination in the
workplace is based on different prejudices as well as happens when a worker is not treated
favourably and fairly because of gender, race and many types of discrimination. This has
negative impact on employees by reducing their performance level that turn to impact on
business image and sales.
On the other hand Devine and et. al., (2017), discrimination in the workplace develops
the unfavourable impact over an organization. This develop poor working environment at
workplace that reduce the productivity of the business. Discrimination also increase conflict
among the employees as well as managers that negatively effects on their relations. Thus is a
primary and biggest reason that the business manager should manage operations in effective
manner and also ensure that, employees are not discriminated on the basis of gender, race and
colour. It can boost the efficiency levels of company, while also allowing workers to efficiently
reach their goals.
What are the several benefits that SOHO Wholesale will obtain by elimination of
workplace discrimination?
According to the Mayhew (2020), elimination of discrimination at workplace is important
and essential part for the growth and success of SOHO Wholesale. There are some benefits
which have been explained as below:
Employee engagement: Eliminating workplace discrimination is important for company
in sustaining productive employees where workforce believe their mangers value their talents
and expertise.
5

Reduced employee turnover: This is another benefit gain by SOHO Wholesale by
reducing the discrimination. This will help company in achievement of better growth and
retaining of highly experienced workers that resulted in improved brand reputation at
marketplace (Dobbin and Kalev, 2019).
What are the effective ways through which equality and diversity practices for reducing
discrimination in the workplace?
According to the Bryson (2017), Equality act 2010 refers to an effective practice of
equality and diversity that will be beneficial and useful for SOHO Wholesale in reduction of any
kind of discrimination at workplace. This act support and protect employees from different form
of workplace discrimination including age, gender, race, disability etc. Therefore is a best way
for eliminating discrimination at workplace.
On the other hand, Huffman, King and Reichelt, (2017), development of diversity
training to the employees is also effective and essential way for reducing discrimination in the
working environment. This training will help diverse workforce by increasing knowledge and
engagement towards business activities that turn to impact over business growth of SOHO
Wholesale.
Different methods and approaches of research for conducting primary and secondary
investigation
Research methodology refers to the important and essential process within an investigation
because it facilitate researcher in gathering and analysing of data from number of approaches,
methods or techniques. Main purpose of this section is to helps researcher by providing choice of
research to collect and analysis accurate information about the current study (Janssens and
Steyaert, 2019). In this section of research project, number of effective and useful methods and
approaches has been included which are shown as below:
Research approach: This section of methodology is a part of data analysis and has two
different approaches such as inductive and deductive. Both are consider main approaches of
analysing data but for performing research on existing topic deductive approach will be used
because it assist in analysing of quantitative and numerical information in less time period.
Inductive is another type of approach that will be not appropriate for present topic because it
need quantitative information and also require maximum cost and time as compare to deductive
approach (Kundu and Mor, 2017).
6