Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

This research explores the concept of equality and diversity in the workplace and its importance in supporting the diverse workforce of Marks and Spencer. It discusses the constraints encountered by Marks and Spencer in facilitating equality and diversity, as well as the impact of workplace discrimination on staff performance. The research aims to analyze the importance of equality and diversity in reducing discrimination at the workplace and creating an effective working environment.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
TOPIC – “Equality and Diversity in the Workplace”......................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
Background of the research work ..........................................................................................1
Problem statement .................................................................................................................1
Research Aim ........................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................2
Rational of research................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Concept of equality and diversity at workplace.....................................................................3
Importance of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse workforce of Marks and
Spencer...................................................................................................................................3
Constraints encountered by Marks and Spencer in facilitation of equality and diversity......3
Workplace discrimination, impacts upon performance level of Marks and Spencer's staff
members.................................................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................5
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................5
Method outline .......................................................................................................................5
Research Philosophy .............................................................................................................5
Research approach .................................................................................................................6
Research design .....................................................................................................................6
Data collection process ..........................................................................................................6
Sampling method ...................................................................................................................6
Sample size and techniques ...................................................................................................6
Research data analysis ...........................................................................................................6
Ethical consideration..............................................................................................................6
TIMELINE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES....................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ............................................................................9
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................16

CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFLECTION ..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

TOPIC – “Equality and Diversity in the Workplace”
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is defined as promoting equality of opportunity for all individuals
working in an organisation. This is achieved by providing each and every individual working in
the company good opportunities in order to enhance their career and abilities. There are various
acts adopted by organisations for providing equal opportunities to employees at workplace.
Equal opportunity is defined as understanding the way in which people or individuals are treated.
A diverse workforce is helpful for an organisation to offer wide range of resources, skills and
ideas for giving the company competitive advantage. It is very important for an organisation to
develop effective strategies for providing equal treatment to employees at workplace. In this
way, the motivation and employee engagement level will increase. The present research is done
using the company naming Marks and Spencer this company was founded in the year of 1884.
The founders of this company are two friends naming Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. This
is one of the major British multinational retailer and the headquarters of this company are
situated in Westminster, London. This company deals in clothing, home products and food
products. Equality and diversity in the workplace is beneficial for M&S. As it will help an
enterprise by promoting innovation at workplace. Through innovation company can easily attract
more customers and retain workers for long time. Discrimination is one of the major issue that
occurs in Marks and Spencer. Thus, it is taken care that all employees are feeling motivated and
involved within company.
Background of the research work
Marks and Spencer is a company that is dealing in different countries across the world.
This company has employees from different background, culture and ages and they work
together for achieving organisational goals. This is important for Marks and Spencer to provide
equal opportunities to all employees at workplace so that they do not feel discriminated.
Problem statement
This research is conducted for Marks and Spencer as there is problem faced by this
company where employees are not treated equally. Some of them have complained that there is
partiality in judgements and because of this employees are demotivated. They do feel connected
within this organisation. This is a big problem for company as it is essential for company to
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motivate all it's employees and make them engaged within he company. The researcher is using
qualitative research methodology for conducting effective research.
Research Aim
In order to conduct the investigation on chosen topic, researcher has developed the aim
and i.e. “To analyse the importance of equality and diversity in reducing discrimination at
workplace and to create effective working environment”. A case on Marks and Spencer.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of equality and diversity at workplace.
 To determine the importance of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse
workforce of Marks and Spencer.
 To examine the constraints encountered by Marks and Spencer in facilitation of equality
and diversity.
 To analyse the impact of workplace discrimination on performance of Marks and
Spencer's staff members.
Research Questions
 What can be considered as the concept of equality and diversity at workplace ?
 What is the importance of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse workforce of
Marks and Spencer ?
 What could be considered as the constraints encountered by Marks and Spencer in
facilitation of equality and diversity.
 How workplace discrimination, impacts upon performance level of Marks and Spencer's
staff members.
Rational of research
The rationale for conducting this research is to analyse and evaluate importance of
diversity and equality for minimising acts of discrimination at workplace. If there are less
discrimination cases then it will help business organisation for developing healthy and creative
work culture. Also, by conducting this research, the investigator will be able to enhance
knowledge about the different ways by which equality and diversity affects workplace. Within
Marks and Spencer, there are a lot of employees who are not comfortable while working. Thus,
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there must be effective strategies developed for providing equal opportunities to employees in
the company.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of equality and diversity at workplace
According to Oswick and Noon, (2014), The main concept of equality is related to the
way in which employees are treated within workplace. They must not be discriminated on the
basis of any type of factor like race, sex or culture. On the other hand, diversity is another
concept related to recognising that individuals are different from one another. This also consists
of valuing and respecting people as individuals not on the basis of differences. Within UK
companies, Equality Act 2010 strictly states that all employees must be treated in equal manner.
This means that people coming from different cultures are able to bring new and innovative ideas
which can make effective working of the company.
Importance of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse workforce of Marks and Spencer
According to Klein, (2016), equality & diversity at workplace are related to a lot of
things. These are related to respecting individuals working in the company and not
discriminating them on any kind of basis like gender, race, sex, beliefs, skills, career
expectations, background, culture, etc. Marks and Spencer is involved in hiring individuals from
different cultural background. These employees are taken care by providing equal treatment.
These employees are motivate for doing good work in order to attain organisational goals and
objectives. In the present context of Marks and Spencer, it is seen that equality and diversity
training programs are organised by the managers of Marks and Spencer for making them work
effectively in the company. These programs are based upon different topics like types of
discrimination, compliance, legal background. These training sessions helped this company for
implementing the equality and diversity practices within the workplace. The training program
have been organised and these are bound by consideration of workforce and staff people are not
discriminated at workplace.
Constraints encountered by Marks and Spencer in facilitation of equality and diversity
As mentioned by Leeflang and et. al., (2014), there are various issues in companies
while equality and diversity programs are organised within workplace. Marks and Spencer is a
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big retailing company and as it has decided to implement equality and diversity programs, there
are lot of issues which are discussed below -
Communication Barriers : The main issue which companies have working in the
company is communication barrier. When people from different culture are working together, it
is not easy to provide positive workplace environment. There are few problems while avoiding
miscommunication can be considered as something in which the team members have to face
various challenges that have to be dealt with in order to maintain peace within the company.
Marks and Spencer is capable of managing this issue in effective manner.
Resistance to Change : There are various people working in the company which have to
dealt with in order to challenge fear. It is concluded that each and every company needs to have
change within process of individuals at workplace of Marks and Spencer, deals with the fear of
change. There is no company which can sustain in market for longer period if it has not
established any change within process or product of the company. This can result in
miscommunication between staff members and employees. This can lead to interpreting wrong
information to all workers.
Wage Equity : Another barrier in regards to bring cultural change is wage equity.
According to this, consistency of gap between wage and education levels of females and males
are offered concrete evidence which is barrier for diversity at workplace. There are some rules
developed by organisations for implementing equal wages for both men and women employees.
There are some special leaves and compensation provided to women employees as they need all
these leaves because they are experiencing double burden.
Workplace discrimination, impacts upon performance level of Marks and Spencer's staff
members
As mentioned by Oswick and Noon, (2014), discrimination at workplace is a major issue
in the companies as several employees come from different backgrounds and culture who come
together for working in the same environment. This affects the behaviour of employees in both
negative as well as positive manner. There are a lot of opportunities by which organisations can
provide positive and good environment to their employees and this helps in working effectively
within the company. If there are more cases of workplace discrimination then there are negative
consequences of this on staff performance. In context of Marks and Spencer there are a lot of
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issues like decrease in sales and productivity of the company. Some of the negative impact on
staff of M&S are mentioned below - Demotivation : This is the main cause which is created by workplace discrimination. It is
concluded that employees and staff people have faced a lot of problems and one of them
is demotivation. Employees do not feel involved and engaged if there is biasses on the
basis of gender, religion or culture. Decrease in productivity : Some managers who practise discrimination creates
unhealthy environment at workplace. This means if one employees is paid extra for
doing same work and other person is not. He will feel demotivated and gradually his
productivity will decrease.
 Conflicts among staff : Discrimination brings conflict among staff and employees.
They have to face many problems if managers practise workplace discrimination.
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Research methodology is defined as the process of finding way of collecting information
and data for conducting research. The method used by investigator in this research is qualitative
research method.
Method outline
Qualitative research method is defined as the research method which emphasises on
obtaining data by using open ended questions. This method is used for analysing in depth
information related to workplace discrimination. This helps in knowing what are the problems
faced by employees and staff of M& S while working at workplace.
Research Philosophy
This is known as belief regarding the way in which data about a particular phenomenon is
gathered, collected and used. There are three concepts of research philosophy mentioned below -
Positivisism– According to the positivists, there is stability and this is observed from point of
view of an objective.
Interpretivism- This means by using subjective interpretation, reality can be understood. This
means there is scientific knowledge about topic of research.
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Research approach
Research approach is defined as plan or procedure which includes various steps of
research including data collection, data analysis and data interpretation. The various approaches
of present research are listed below -
Research design
Research design are mainly of three types that is exploratory, experimental, descriptive
research design etc. With reference to the current context of research, investigator will be opting
the descriptive research design, because it is specifically be associated with qualitative research
methodology.
Data collection process
Basically, data collection tools are said to be the instruments utilised to collect the data.
In the present research, 50 respondents are made to fill the questionnaire.
Sampling method
Random sampling method is used by the researcher for conducting this investigation.
Different employees of Marks and Spencer are taken into consideration for finding the research
outcomes. In present context, the investigator has taken into consideration of questionnaire,
where number of questions will be asked to employees, who has been selecting considering the
Random Sampling Method.
Sample size and techniques
In conducting this research, investigator has collected information form 50 employees of
Marks and Spencer.
Research data analysis
For getting outcomes of this research, questionnaire is filled out from various employees
of Marks and Spencer and their answers are used for making interpretations.
Ethical consideration
It is important for the researcher that they have to follow all ethics while managing and
handling their research. They must not use any information of the researcher without his
permission in the research. Only relevant information and data should be used in the research
completion.
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TIMELINE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Gantt chart is the graphical representation of the activities or task that can be performed
under a project against the time, also known as visual presentation of a project. This is used for
representing various activities of research and how much time is given to these activities.
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have knowledge regarding the phenomena of equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What is the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation?
a) Retaining employees
b) Promoting positive culture
c) Reducing management conflicts
Q3) What are the major constraints that Marks & Spence have to face while promoting equality
and diversity at workplace?
a) Communication Barriers
b) Resistance to Change
c) Wage Equity
Q4) How workplace discrimination impacts upon performance level of Marks and Spencer's
staff members?
a) Demotivation
b) Decrease in productivity
c) Conflicts among staff
Q5) According to you, in which manner workplace discrimination impact on your performance
at workplace of Marks & Spencer?
a) Negative
b) Positive
c) Neutral
Q6) What is the benefits of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse workforce of Marks
and Spencer?
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a) Promotes Innovation
b) Improves brand image
c) Opens up new talent
Q7) According to you, which among the following action must be taken by Marks & Spencer to
avoid workplace discrimination?
a) Development of inclusive working environment
b) Development of cultural training
c) Many other
Q8) Provide any recommendations to Marks & Spencer in promoting equality and diversity
within a workplace.
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DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Data analysis is important part of project as it support researcher in analysation of valid
information regarding the topic. For analysis quantitative data, deductive approach of research
will be going to used as it will support in analysation of quantitative and reliable data about the
equality and diversity and its importance in reduction of workplace discrimination. Along with
this, Content analysis will be going to applied for analysis accurate data or information about the
current topic. In this method some themes will be developed on each questions which trun to
support researcher in completion of project easily.
Q1) Do you have knowledge regarding the phenomena of equality and
diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q2) What is the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation? Frequency
a) Retaining employees 18
b) Promoting positive culture 15
c) Reducing management conflicts 17
Q3) What are the major constraints that Marks & Spence have to face while
promoting equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Communication Barriers 17
b) Resistance to Change 15
c) Wage Equity 18
Q4) How workplace discrimination impacts upon performance level of Marks
and Spencer's staff members?
Frequency
a) Demotivation 19
b) Decrease in productivity 16
c) Conflicts among staff 15
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Q5) According to you, in which manner workplace discrimination impact on
your performance at workplace of Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Negative 40
b) Positive 2
c) Neutral 8
Q6) What is the benefits of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse
workforce of Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a) Promotes Innovation 17
b) Improves brand image 19
c) Opens up new talent 14
Q7) According to you, which among the following action must be taken by
Marks & Spencer to avoid workplace discrimination?
Frequency
a) Development of inclusive working environment 19
b) Development of cultural training 20
c) Many other 11
Theme 1: Knowledge regarding the phenomena of equality and diversity at workplace
Q1) Do you have knowledge regarding the phenomena of equality and
diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
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Interpretation: It has been determined knowledge regarding the phenomena of equality
and diversity among employees of Marks & Spencer. Most of the employees have idea regarding
the equality and diversity and its significance within a workplace. But in the organisation, some
employees not have idea about the same. They are not aware regarding the phenomena of
equality and diversity at workplace.
Theme 2: Importance of equality and diversity within an organisation
Q2) What is the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation? Frequency
a) Retaining employees 18
b) Promoting positive culture 15
c) Reducing management conflicts 17
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Interpretation: Equality and diversity is important part for an organisation as well as
employees also. 18 out of 50 workers of Marks & Spencer said as equality and diversity is
essential for an organisation because with the help of this, they can easily retain employees for
long time. 15 workers have knowledge as diversity and equality help an organisation in
promoting of positive culture. Remaining 17 workforce said as it will be be beneficial fr M&S is
reduction of management conflict. Therefore, equality and diversity is essential for an
organisation in improvement of its growth and success.
Theme 3: Major constraints that Marks & Spence have to face while promoting equality and
diversity at workplace
Q3) What are the major constraints that Marks & Spence have to face while
promoting equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Communication Barriers 17
b) Resistance to Change 15
c) Wage Equity 18
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Interpretation: There are number of constraints that Marks & Spence have to face while
promoting equality and diversity at workplace. It includes communication barriers, wage
equality and resistance to change. These are major challenges faced by M&S while managing
equality and diversity at workplace. According to the graph, majority of participants said, wage
equality is main because entire performance of employees is depend on them.
Theme 4: Impact of workplace discrimination on performance level of employees
Q4) How workplace discrimination impacts upon performance level of Marks
and Spencer's staff members?
Frequency
a) Demotivation 19
b) Decrease in productivity 16
c) Conflicts among staff 15
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Interpretation: This graph stated about the impact of workplace discrimination upon
performance level of Marks and Spencer's staff members. 19 out of 50 employees of company
said as workplace discrimination is main issue of equality and diversity that increase
demotivation during the work. 16 respondents said as it decrease productivity level which turn to
impact on performance while completion of work in allotted time period. 15 participants have
idea as workplace discrimination increase conflict among staff members. Therefore, workplace
discrimination have negative impact on employees as well as an organisational performance.
Theme 5: Positive or negative impact workplace discrimination
Q5) According to you, in which manner workplace discrimination impact on
your performance at workplace of Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Negative 40
b) Positive 2
c) Neutral 8
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Interpretation: This graph shown impact of workplace discrimination on workers
performance. Majority of participants said as workplace discrimination has negative impact
because it decrease productivity, reduce motivation level and also increase conflict. These are
major issues of workplace discrimination on performance as well as productivity level of
workers.
Theme 6: Benefits of equality and diversity
Q6) What is the benefits of equality and diversity in supporting the diverse
workforce of Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a) Promotes Innovation 17
b) Improves brand image 19
c) Opens up new talent 14
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Interpretation: Equality and diversity in the workplace is beneficial for M&S. As it will
help an enterprise by promoting innovation at workplace. Through innovation company can
easily attract more customers and retain workers for long time. 19 out of 50 respondents said as
by having diverse workforce company can easily improve their brand image and accomplish
long term goals and objectives easily. Remaining 14 respondents have idea as it open up new
talent for an organisation that turn to support them in improvement of its growth and success at
marketplace.
Theme 7: Types of actions taken by company for reducing impact of workplace discrimination
Q7) According to you, which among the following action must be taken by
Marks & Spencer to avoid workplace discrimination?
Frequency
a) Development of inclusive working environment 19
b) Development of cultural training 20
c) Many other 11
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Interpretation: There is requirement of certain actions that must be taken by company for
reducing impact of workplace discrimination. In order to reduce impact of workplace
discrimination, company must develop inclusive working environment as it support them in
retention of workers for long time. 20 employees have idea as development of cultural training
will also support an organisation in reduction of workplace discrimination issue easily.
Remaining 11 respondents have knowledge as there are another ways such as implementation of
equality act 2010, development of effective communication channels etc. These ways support an
organisation to overcome impact of workplace discrimination and also retain employees for
longer time period.
Research outcomes:
Considering the above information, it can easily be said that business organisation like Marks
and Spencer it will be required to develop more effective discrimination related policies as it will
directly help company in sustaining within the market for a longer period of time and it may also
lead the business organisation to motivate staff through developing a much more equality based
working environment. Considering the research, can also be said that for a business organisation
like Marks and Spencer continuous improvement plan in relation toenhance the overall working
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environment towards equality and diversity. It will help employees to work and much more
effective and efficient manner as they will be getting the equal opportunities. Furthermore,
workplace diversity is useful in increasing the productivity of Marks and Spencer as it brings
various talents towards the common objective which is useful in developing prominent set of
skills that leads to develop loyalty and enhances the retention and productivity of employees.
Along with this, with various and diversified mindset that come together regarding many
solutions leads to increase the thinking capacity, problem solving and decision making which is
useful for employees and other stakeholders regarding the development of image and reputation
of Marks and Spencer. Moreover, workplace diversity is also helpful for stakeholders in order to
develop synergy within the group or team and also leads to develop communication skill that
bring new values and processes for the whole team in collective manner. Lastly, it leads to
increase the market share and also satisfy diversified customer base by considering their
backgrounds and it leads to provide satisfaction to employees and also increase their overall
performance.
RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above data analysis the importance of equality and diversity for M&S can be
analysed which can help the company in improving the work performance of its employees by
giving them equal and fair opportunities to grow and develop. Equality and diverseness in an
organisation can also help in increasing innovation in the company so that a competitive edge
can be gained in market. It also help in reducing the employee turnover which is important to
save the cost of company of frequent recruitments. Following are the recommendations through
which equality and diversity can be established in M&S:
 M&S can promote performance based appraisals for employees so that they are paid
based on their performance which helps in promotion of equal and fair treatment for all
the employees.
 Training and development programmes must also be included which will help in training
the managers and employees about the importance of equality and diversity in company.
 The company must also promote recruitment which do not discriminate employees based
on their race, caste, sex, religion etc. which will help in giving equal opportunities to all
the candidates to participate in recruitment process. This will also help in increasung
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diversity of employees ion company which is important for bringing innovations and new
ideas.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that it is important to have equality and
diversity in company so that a friendly and inclusive working environment can be promoted. It is
important that all the employees are treated equally and in a consistent manner so that their
performance and efficiency to work can be improved. It also help the company in strengthening
its brand image in the market so that sales can increase thereby increasing company profits. The
research results need to applied in an effective manner so that equality and diversity in company
can be successfully achieved.
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REFLECTION
I am happy for getting chance to performance research over a broad topic i.e. Equality
and Diversity in the Workplace. For collecting data about the topic I prepared a questionnaire
because this instrument give valid and reliable data. Equality and diversity is a broad and
effective topic that supported me by boosting my knowledge and increasing research skills.
Apart from this, by doing research on current topic I faced certain issues such as lack of time,
insufficient time period, unethical and inaccurate behaviour of respondents and many other.
These are biggest challenges faced by me during collection and analysation of information about
the study. To overcome these issues or challenges I used Gantt chart as it supported me in
overcoming challenge of time and also helped by providing information about the starting and
ending time period. I also followed ethical consideration which helped in reduction of unethical
behaviour issue from the respondents side.
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