Impact of Gender Discrimination on Business Performance

This report explores the impact of gender discrimination on business performance, focusing on the case study of Argos Limited. It discusses the issues and problems related to gender discrimination, as well as various approaches to resolve them and increase productivity and profitability. The research methodology includes interviews with female employees of Argos.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1....................................................................................................................................1
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
CHAPETR 2....................................................................................................................................2
Literature review..........................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 3....................................................................................................................................5
P 4 Small scale research..............................................................................................................5
Methodology................................................................................................................................5
M 2. Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of primary and secondary methods applied.............8
P 5. Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................8
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.....................................................11
M 4. Evaluate the value of the project management process to meet stated objectives............12
P7 : REFLECTION....................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX 1.................................................................................................................................15
Interview Question...................................................................................................................15

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Discrimination can be refer as any prejudicial or unjust treatment to person on the basis of
their categories. This type of activities take place due to difference in race, age, sex, background,
region and many other aspects (Ge, and et.al., 2016). There are different discrimination
activities in business that will lead to have direct impact on performance and productivity of
employees. Gender discrimination is one of the most common issues in organisation and this
will lead to have negative impact on employees as well as business. It is very important for
organisation to consider equality and diversity in organisation in order to grow and develop
business. The major discrimination in business is related to gender basis and this discrimination
take place because of prejudiced treatment of men and women. Gender discrimination can be
describe as the discrimination practices that are in the basis of gender identity. Gender
discrimination activities will lead to have impact on hiring, promoting or firing of employees on
the basis of gender. This will lead to have direct impact on moral for a person and negatively
influence performance of employees. Due to gender discrimination equal and fair opportunity is
not provided to employees and capability of a person is judged on the basis of their gender. It is
crucial for organisation to identify and analyse the major reason and impact on gender
discrimination activities. This will help in taking better decision that will support in resolving
gender discrimination issues for organisation as well as enhance its performance. Company will
be able to resolve gender discrimination practices as well as overcome issues by taking correct
and appropriate approaches (Graf, Brown and Patten, 2018). This will lead to influence
performance and productivity of company. Overcoming of gender discrimination will support in
creating equal and diverse business environment. This report is based on Argos Limited
company. This organisation is dealing in retail market area and providing high quality products
and services to different part of the world. Argos organisation was developed in year 1972 and
founder of this organisation was Richard Tompkins. It is majorly serving in United Kingdom and
Republic of Ireland area. Headquarter of Argos organisation is located to Milton Ketness,
Buckinghamshire, England. It is offering different consumer goods that is significant in meeting
with the needs or requirements of customers. In this report case study of Argos distribution
warehouse Basildon is consider and it research will support in determining the impact on gender
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discrimination of business. This report will include literature review regarding gender
discrimination issues as well as approaches to overcome this problem. Apart from this
methodology for collecting data and gaining more relevant information is analysed. Aims and
objective for this research project is -
Aim
“To analyse the impact on gender discrimination practices on performance and production of
business.” Case study of Argos distribution warehouse Basildon.
Objective
• To understand the concept of gender discrimination within organisation.
• To identify different issues and problem that is related to gender discrimination in
business.
• To determine various approaches that will support in resolving gender discrimination in
order to increase productivity and profitability of organisation.
Milestone plan
PARTICULARS TIME DURATION JUSTIFICATION
Drafting aim and objectives 5 days This will be completed 1 day
in prior to take approval from
teacher.
Literature review 15 days It will be completed 3 days in
advance to take proper
feedback from tutor.
Data analysis 18 days It will be completed 5 days in
advance to take proper
feedback from tutor.
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CHAPETR 2
Literature review
To understand the concept of gender discrimination within organisation.
As per the views of Workplace fairness article (2020), it has been determined that gender
discrimination practices will lead to have major negative impact on business and this will lead to
influence performance of organisation. This includes unfavourable treatment to employees on the
basis of gender. In an organisation gender discrimination take place when an employee apply for
job role or perform activities in current job (Lucifora and Vigani, 2016). When person capability
and ability is measured on the basis of gender then it can be describe as gender discrimination.
This is violation of rights of a person and providing them opportunity of the basis of gender not
their capability (Sex / Gender Discrimination, 2020). Gender or sex discrimination can be
explain as the treatment of an individual differently on the basis of man and women. The
difference in treatment according to the gender of individual can be describe as gender
discrimination. For example if a person is rejected or selected for a particular job role on the
basis of women and men gender then this can be consider as the example of gender
discrimination. Discrimination practices in Argos organisation will affect the proper functioning
of business and influence moral of employees to conduct business task in required manner.
Example of gender discrimination in company is when providing promotion to a male employees
of company in spite of knowing that a women is capable to performing particular job role in
better and more efficient manner as compare to other men. Promotion of a person of the basis of
gender not on the basis of capability and potential of employees is a clear case of gender
discrimination practice at workplace. Unequal pay, firing , promotion and hiring of employees by
considering male and female gender in decision is due to gender discrimination activities in
organisation.
To identify different issues and problem that is related to gender discrimination in
business.
As per the view of Julie Wilson, (2020), it can be determined that there are various issues
and problems that is faced by employees due to gender discrimination in organisation. It is
crucial for respective organisation to analyse and understand these major issues so that better
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step to issues could be taken. The major reason for increase in gender discrimination is to
underestimate the capabilities of women and considering that women are made for house hold
activities and preparing food (Udo and Grilo, 2017). Due to this less opportunities is providing
to women as well as increase in gender discrimination in organisation. Various issues or
problems that is related to gender discrimination in Agros organisation is mention below.
 Unequal pay – It has been determined that gender discrimination activities in business
will lead to have impact on equal payment to employees for working same job role. This
is one of the major issues that lead to affect the performance and capability of employees
(5 Top Issues Fueling Gender Inequality in the Workplace, 2020). this issues arise when
company is offering payment or salary to employees according to their gender. Unequal
pay to employees who are perform same job role decrease the moral of employees who
get less pay and impact on its capabilities. Women have different other responsibility of
their household and due to this many women prefer part time work. Due to different
other reason many women take career breaks. This will lead to have major impact on
promotion of women as compare to men.
 Sexual harassment – This is one of the major issues that is mostly faced by women and
it will affect in health of employees. Sexual harassment problem in workplace increase
due to gender discrimination practices. This is consider as an obstacle for many women
that are working in organisation. Sexual harassment case in business will have impact on
mental health of employees as well as image of company.
 Less promotion – One of the major problem of gender discrimination in business is
related to less promotion to employees. Due to gender discrimination employees will get
promoted on the basis of their gender and capabilities of employees are not considered.
This will lead to de-motivate employees and they will not use their full efficiency to
conduct organisational task.
 Unequal opportunity – Gender discrimination activities will lead to increase in this
issues of less or fair opportunities to all employees. In this issues, organisation is
providing opportunities to employees according to their male and female gender. Less
opportunity of employees in organisation will directly influence their performance to
conduct organisational task.
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To determine various approaches that will support in resolving gender discrimination in
order to increase productivity and profitability of organisation.
According to the views of Tony Jeanetta (2020), it can be determined that there are several
approaches that needs to be consider by respective organisation in order to resolve the issues of
discrimination activities. Different ways that will support in reducing gender discrimination form
workplace are explain below – Build diversity – It is crucial for organisation to develop and enhance diversity culture at
workplace. This type of culture will support in reducing gender discrimination as well as
providing right and fair opportunities to employees as per their skills and performance.
This will help in creating positive working environments and employees will be able to
focus in their work. It is significant for increasing performance and productivity of
business. Strict policies regarding sexual harassment – Argos company needs to create strict
policies and rule against sexual harassment practices in organisation. This is very useful
approach for resolving issues of gender discrimination practices as well as taking correct
step for punishing person who conduct sexual harassment activities (7 Ways to Reduce
Gender Discrimination in Your Workplace, 2020). This will support in providing healthy
and safe working environment of employees for performing their job role in effective and
efficient manner. Remove gender pay gap – It is essential for respective company to reduce gender pay gap
and provide right or fair payment of employees according to their contribution in
organisation. Removing gender pay gap and increasing transparency at workplace will
lead to enhance trust and relationship of employee. This will assist in enhance
performance and productivity of business to attain set goals.
 Establishing networking initiative – This is useful approach that is consider by
organisation to resolving gender discrimination practices form business. In this
approaches respective company is focusing on enhance network and relationship of
employees in order to reduce issues of gender discrimination.
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CHAPTER 3
P 4 Small scale research
Methodology
Methodology refer as the process or procedure that is consider by researcher in order to
identify and analyse appropriate information and take effective decision regarding research. This
will includes method of data collection, sampling, sample size and ethical consideration for this
research.
Interview – This refer as the qualitative research method and in this researcher will
conduct a proper interview in order to collect information. In this case, researcher will take
interview of different female staff member of respective organisation. Interview is an effective
approach for gaining in depth information regarding the views or issues of female staff members.
In this primary method interviewer will ask different question to female employees of respective
company in order to gain more in depth data about issues of equality and diversity in business.
Advantages of semi-structured interviews
It is highly significant in encouraging the two way communication process. It is useful in
providing the opportunity so that they focus on providing wide degree of opportunity which
helps the interviewer in learning and give specific reason of the answer related to the specific
question. The semi- structured interview is useful because it tends to give respondent stipulated
amount of time in order to get open up related to any sensitive issue and is also significant in
gaining information related into the subject matter. It is also useful in providing qualitative set of
data and compare with the historical data. It is significant in drawing valid set of conclusion.
Disadvantages of semi-structured interviews
It is considered to be one of the time consuming process. It also requires wide range of resources
to carry out the semi-structured interviews. It is highly challenging to find the right interviewer
who has high degree of knowledge related with the subject matter.
How to minimise disadvantages thorough good research design
In order to minimize time and cost issues of primary research it is essential to create a
proper plan that will support in collecting accurate information in less time. Scheduling proper
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interview process and designing it in accurate manner will support in resolving disadvantages of
primary method.
Sampling
Define population - Population is the complete set of elements which purpose some command
characteristics which define the sample. It is very important for researcher to consider accurate
population in order to select right sample of collecting information. In this researcher population
are the female employees that are working at Argos.
Sampling methods – There are different types of sampling method that is considered in order to
select the most appropriate and accurate sample for collecting data. For this researcher,
researcher is selecting sample on the basis of purposive sampling method. Simple random
sampling is one of the most easy method to choose appropriate sample size. This method is
significant in providing equal chance to population for selecting (Blau, 2016). This reduces the
probability of bias and this is consider as the most straight forward method of selection. The
researcher of the study will use purposive sampling method because here the researcher tends to
rely on their own set of judgements and analyse the impact on gender discrimination practices on
performance and production of business.
Sample size - This refer as the selected number of sample that will assist in providing
information about the topic as well as help in taking better decision. Sample size assist in
measuring the number of individual that needs to be measured or observed for survey. In this
research, 5 female employees of Argos company is selected in order to analyse and evaluate the
information regarding gender discrimination activities.
Primary data collection instruments/semi-structured interview survey.
There are number of question that is asked by interviewer to interviewee in order to collect
primary information and take appropriate decision for business. It is referred to as one of the
guiding interviewing where the few questions in turn are significantly predetermined. However,
it does not have any formal set of questionnaire. In the semi- structured interview survey the
interviewer does not tend to strictly follow any formalized set of list of questions. The
interviewer asks the interviewee list of open ended questions to attain conclusive results
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associated with analysing the impact on gender discrimination practices on performance and
production of business.
Ethical issues - This can be describe as the issues that problems that occurs while performing
research activities ethically and accurately. It is very important for researcher to conduct research
activities ethical and appropriately. This report will includes information that is provide by
employees of Argos organisation and it is essential to record and store this data correctly. So that
no other person can misuse it or take wrong advantages form the data. In order to perform this
research project ethically investigator or interviewer has consider point of view of all interview
and ask same question in order to collect their information (Ljungholm, 2016). This will support
in effective decision making. Researcher has stored collected information in Laptop that is
specially for this research project. The researcher of the study carries out the study with high
degree of anonymity by keeping all the data highly confidential and securing the data with the
encrypted password. The researcher of the study also takes informed consent and take approval
from each participant. Moreover, in order to carry out the study with high degree of accuracy and
relevance the researcher ensures voluntary participation of the respondents and they have the
right to neter and leave the study.
M 2. Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of primary and secondary methods applied.
The data collected from the research is high accurate which helps in gathering key relevant
information related with the subject matter.
CHAPTER 4: RESULT
P 5. Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Question 1: Have you experienced any discrimination against you as a woman working here
at Argos, either directly or indirectly?
Interpretation: After seeing the opinion of all the female it has been highlighted that all
the female was having the opinion that there is no as such direct sort of the discrimination which
is being seen by them in the organization. This is really a good sign for the organization in the
long run. As all the organization in the general used to expect the working environment in the
organization in which all the employee can seat together and perform variety of activity
irrespective of gender. On the other hand 4 out of 5 participant has clearly identify that there is
some sort of discrimination which is seen by them in the indirect way in the organization. As two
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participant has highlighted the same by highlighting that we used to get less opportunity in term
of expressing view point, 2 has said that we are not able to recognize the discrimination on the
time of its happening, once we used to remmemberized the thing after that we used to understand
that we have been served with some sort of the discrimination in the organization. So from the
above interpretation it can be said that there are some of the discrimination is presented in the
indirect form this is not that great sign for the organization, they have to make sure that they used
to overcome the same issue as soon as possible.
Question 2: Unequal pay – either being paid less than a man for the same work when both are
equally qualified, or men are in more senior positions?
Interpretation: Collecting the different information from the participant clearly gives the idea
that there is no such clarity which has been derived by the scholar in the opinion of the same
Question which has been mentioned above. As out of 5 female participants pool 2 has clearly
said that there is no gender pay gap which has been seen by them at the workplace. As one used
to highlights that organization used to follow the standard rate of wages in the organization
which used to reduce these sort of impact in the organization. At the same time another one
highlights that there is good sort of clarity in term of pay so there is no such type of
discrimination. This suggestion has been also given by the different author in the literature
review section. On the same note 3 participants said that they are not clear about the wages of
other employee as it is against the policy of the organization in the long run. So it is very difficult
to find out the clear opinion of these Question but as two participant has said that there is no such
type of discrimination presence so it can be analyzed that it is really a good sign for the
organization in the long run of operation.
Question 3: Men being favoured when it comes to promotion? E.g. because women who have
taken a career break to have and raise children are seen as less experienced?
Interpretation : When asked about these sort of the Question it has been seen that 5 out
of 5 respondent were in the favors of the same. This is really a bad news and sign for the
company in the long run. As it has been identified that all the participant marked that at the time
of providing a promotion in the organization male employee are always given a good sort of
node. Also 3 out of 5 highlighted that management of the company thinks that women used to
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take the responsibility of the family as well, these eventually used to create a good sort of the
issue for women to serve to the organization. These was highlighted that in the literature review
as well that wrong perception of the management used to create the variety of the issue.
Remaining 2 participant in the interview has highlighted that all the male employee used to get
the promotion in the organization that management member who used to take the promotion
decision are generally taken by the male employee which used to provide the extra sort of the
benefit for the employee.
Question 4: Other development opportunities? Training? Mentoring? Support networks?
When gathering the answer in regards of the question of the interview it has been find out that
different participant has clearly identify that organization used to provide the variety of different
development opportunity to the female as well as male employee in the organization. These is
really a good sign for the company in the market. As it has been analyzed that author has also
present in the literature review section that providing variety of different type of development
opportunity is one of the best way through which impact of discrimination can be reduced in the
organization. 3 participant in the interview has highlighted that organization used to provide the
variety of different type of training opportunity so that efficiency of variety of activity which has
been carried out can be improved in the organization. At the same time 2 participant in the
interview has clearly identify that organization used to provide the training to all the employee
the training on the basis of the skill set or the scope which has been their in the employee in the
market. These is really a good sign for the company in the market as if employee is getting
information that the employee is understanding the variety of the changes in regards of
development opportunity which is being offered by employer.
Question 5: Sexual harassment? Physical? Language?
Interpretation: Collecting information from all the participant in this Question it has
been identified that all the participant has clearly identify that there is no as such type of the
discrimination which has been seen by them in the market. So it is very good sign for the
company in the market. Looking at the opinion of the 2 participant they have clearly marked that
there is no direct sort of discrimination which is being seen in the organization so no such of
impact is seen in the market. At the same time 2 participant in the interview has clearly identify
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that management of the company always used to take the variety of different sort of the decision
in the organization in regards of managing these sort of the discrimination in the organization.
These is really a good sign for the company in the market, as it has been identified that all the
employee in the organization is really understanding the variety of the decision which is taken by
the management to reduce the impact of these sort of discrimination in the market.
Question 6: Do you think Argos is taking the necessary steps to reduce gender discrimination
practices in the company?
Interpretation: Collecting variety of information on this basis in the interview it has been
clearly identify that there are variety of different type of the decision which are being taken by
the management of the organization to manage the impact of gender discrimination in the
organization. As 2 participant in the interview has clearly explained that management in at the
workplace always used to take and make the variety of the decision in the organization in a way
that it used to help the company in managing the impact of the discrimination in the efficient
way. At the same time 2 participant highlights that management always used to promote the
variety of different type of message in the organization in regards of discrimination these used to
help the company in managing the impact of discrimination in the better way. 1 respondent
highlights that all the management member in the organization used to hear the variety of the
issue which is being faced by the employee and on the basis of same variety of the different
decision is being taken by the organization in the market.
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
It has been summarized that, discrimination is prejudicial or unjust treatment to person which
can influence the performance and productivity of the individual person. The discrimination is
done on the basis of race, age, sex, background, region, nationality, etc. Gender or sex
discrimination can be explain as the treatment of an individual differently on the basis of man
and women. The men are comparatively benefited of higher growth opportunities when
compared with the women. There are various range of issues which are mainly linked with the
gender discrimination mainly includes unequal pay, less promotion, sexual harassment, unequal
opportunities, etc. The research has been carried out using semi- structured interviews which
helped in gaining conclusive results associated with the research subject matter. At the time of
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providing a promotion in the organization male employee are always given a good sort of node.
The organization must provide the training to all the employee the training on the basis of the
skill set or the scope which has been there in the employee in the market.
P 6. Recommendation
It has been recommended that, it is crucial for the organization to build a diverse workforce. It is
significant to build environment were the individuals of all the culture, nationality and race are
respected in order to improve the performance and productivity. Moreover, the company must
also focus on complying with the strict set of policies and guidelines associated with the sexual
harassment. This is very useful approach for resolving issues of gender discrimination practices
as well as taking correct step for punishing person who conduct sexual harassment activities. It is
crucial to enhance network and relationship of employees in order to reduce issues of gender
discrimination. This way it helps the employees feel highly motivated and take better decision. It
has been recommended that, the company must also focus on reducing the gender pay gap which
is useful in providing the fair treatment to the employees. It is significant in increasing
transparency and helps in the better attainment of the organizational goals.
M 4. Evaluate the value of the project management process to meet stated objectives.
The project has been initiated by drafting aim and objectives. Proper planning of the selection of
the right research method will be done and complete literature review will be carried out in the
execution process. Performance of the project is analysed through data analysis and at the end
summary of the project has been drafted.
P7 : REFLECTION
It was highly exciting for me to carry out the study on the impact on gender discrimination
practices on performance and production of business. This study was highly significant in
evaluating the various approaches that will support in resolving gender discrimination in order to
increase productivity and profitability of organisation. This study has helped me gain wide
degree of knowledge associated with the aim and objectives of the research study. The most
interesting part of this study was to analyse the diverse viewpoints of the various authors to carry
out the literature review chapter. I have understood the key issues and problems which are linked
with the gender discrimination. I was highly fascinated to conduct semi- structured interview in
order to find relevant reasons and answers associated with the research. I have developed a list of
questions which are to be asked from the interviewee to gain relevant set of answers. I have
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carried out the research by complying with the ethical consideration and carrying out the study
with complete anonymity. One of the most interesting part of the study was to significantly
analyse the key results and attain the valid conclusive points. This helped me conclude and
summarize the wide information and provide recommendation to improve the workplace
productivity by reducing discrimination.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Assari, S. and Lankarani, M.M., 2017. Discrimination and psychological distress: gender
differences among Arab Americans. Frontiers in psychiatry, 8, p.23.
Barthelemy, R.S., McCormick, M. and Henderson, C., 2016. Gender discrimination in physics
and astronomy: Graduate student experiences of sexism and gender microaggressions. Physical
Review Physics Education Research, 12(2), p.020119.
Blau, F.D., 2016. Gender, inequality, and wages. OUP Catalogue.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International journal of social research methodology, 20(2), pp.181-194.
Ge, Y. and et.al., 2016. Racial and gender discrimination in transportation network
companies (No. w22776). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Graf, N., Brown, A. and Patten, E., 2018. The narrowing, but persistent, gender gap in pay. Pew
Research Center, April, 9.
King, K.A. and Mackey, A., 2016. Research methodology in second language studies: Trends,
concerns, and new directions. The Modern Language Journal, 100(S1), pp.209-227.
Krishnaswamy, K.N., 2016. Management Research Methodlogy: Integration of Principles,
Medthods and Techniques. Pearson Education India.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Ljungholm, D.P., 2016. The role of work organizations in the social construction of
gender. Journal of Research in Gender Studies, 6(1), pp.269-275.
Lucifora, C. and Vigani, D., 2016. What if your boss is a woman? Work organization, work-life
balance and gender discrimination at the workplace.
Silvestre, J., and et.al., 2016. Gender authorship trends of plastic surgery research in the United
States. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 138(1), pp.136e-142e.
Udo, T. and Grilo, C.M., 2017. Cardiovascular disease and perceived weight, racial, and gender
discrimination in US adults. Journal of psychosomatic research, 100, pp.83-88.
Online
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Sex / Gender Discrimination. 2020. [Online]. Available through:<
https://www.workplacefairness.org/sexual-gender-discrimination >.
5 Top Issues Fueling Gender Inequality in the Workplace. 2020. [Online]. Available through:<
https://www.asyousow.org/blog/gender-equality-workplace-issues>.
7 Ways to Reduce Gender Discrimination in Your Workplace. 2020. [Online]. Available
through:< https://theolsongroup.com/knock-down-gender-barriers/>.
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APPENDIX 1
Interview Question
 Have you experienced any discrimination against you as a woman working here
at Argos, either directly or indirectly?
 Unequal pay – either being paid less than a man for the same work when both
are equally qualified, or men are in more senior positions?
 Men being favoured when it comes to promotion? E.g. because women who
have taken a career break to have and raise children are seen as less
experienced?
 Other development opportunities? Training? Mentoring? Support networks?
 Sexual harassment? Physical? Language?
 Do you think Argos is taking the necessary steps to reduce gender
discrimination practices in the company?
16