Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

This research project focuses on the importance of gender equality in the workplace, specifically in the context of Unilever Plc. It explores the role of management and leadership in promoting gender equality, the impact of gender equality on growth and productivity, and effective strategies to promote gender equality at workplace. The research methodology includes data collection through questionnaires and data analysis using frequency distribution analysis.

Research Project
(Equality and diversity in the
workplace)

Table of Contents
Introduction/Background to the research .......................................................................................1
Research Question (s)/Hypothesis ..................................................................................................2
Research Aim and Objectives .........................................................................................................3
Gantt Chart ......................................................................................................................................4
Limitation of the study: ...................................................................................................................6
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................7
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................8
Anticipated outcome .......................................................................................................................9
Data analysis .................................................................................................................................10
........................................................................................................................................................19
Research Findings .........................................................................................................................20
Conclusion and Recommendations ...............................................................................................23
Reflection ......................................................................................................................................24
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................25
Appendix .......................................................................................................................................26
Questionnaire............................................................................................................................26
.......................................................................................................................................................27

Introduction/Background to the research
Equality introduces as a fair treatment of all employees regardless of their disability,
nationality, age, sexual orientation, nationality etc. Diversity means having unlink or distinct
components. Within a workplace diversity refers as employing group of person who may be not
same from each other and also have diverse background for this gender equality is a chosen topic
of equality and diversity that have direct impact on management and leadership of an
organization ( Schuh, S. C. And et. al., 2014). For this project Unilever Plc is chosen British-
dutch transnational consumer goods organization. Along with this, in order to promote gender
equality at workplace, leadership and management plays an important role by providing accurate
guidance, managing workplace discrimination etc. These are consider major roles played by
leadership and management at workplace of company. As it support an enterprise in
improvement of its business success and growth.

Research Question (s)/Hypothesis
 What are the main role of management and leadership in promoting of gender equality at
workplace?
 What are the importance of gender equality over growth and productivity of Unilever
Plc?
 What are the several ways through which Unilever Plc can promote gender quality at
workplace?

Research Aim and Objectives
Research aim
Main aim of this project is “To determine the contribution of gender equality in
management and leadership of an organization”. A study on Unilever Plc.
Research Objectives
 To identify the role of management and leader in promoting of gender equality at
workplace.
 To determine the importance of gender equality on growth and productivity of Unilever
Plc.
 To find out several ways through which Unilever Plc can promote gender quality at
workplace.

Gantt Chart
It is a graphical tool that support investigator in identifying of starting and ending time
period for research completion. In this chart, different number of tools have been included that
are useful for investigator in completion of full project within a lesser and given time period
( Van den Brink and Benschop, 2014). There are some activities that are shown as under in
graphical way:

Limitation of the study:
There are certain limitations that may be face by researcher while doing research project.
These limitations are related with the insufficient time, inaccurate amount of capital, indecent
behaviour from respondents side etc. All these are major limitations that may impact on
researcher while completing full project. Along with this, improper behaviour of respondents is
major issue that would face by investigator in data analysis part. In this, respondents are not
agree with the available options that creates more difficulties for them in findings of appropriate
results. In order to deal with such issues, researcher will 1 open-ended questions and also
develop some options where they are free in providing of their view about the project ( Elling,
Hovden and Knoppers, 2018).

Literature Review
This is a systematic process that support researcher in gathering of secondary information
regrading the current investigation. This section support researcher in addressing and dealing
with each objectives of study in systematic manner ( Bolman and Deal, 2017).
Role of management and leadership in promoting of gender equality at workplace.
According to Wilson, 2017, Gender equality within an enterprise introduces to the
activity as it is imperative to the accomplishment of healthy lived as well as well-being for
entire employees. Manager and leader of an organisation have to play positive role in
promoting gender equality at working area. As they provide proper guideline, manage each
activities of business, motivating employees and many other. All these are consider major
role of leadership and management within a workplace.
The importance of gender equality on growth and productivity of Unilever Plc.
According to Bolman and Deal, (2017), One of the main purpose of gender equality
at workplace is to achieve equal outcomes for everyone whether they are men and also
women working at same ground. This can be essential in enhancing productivity and
performance level of workers that directly contributes in maintaining long lasting
relationship with workforce for longer time.
Several ways through which Unilever Plc can promote gender quality at workplace.
As per the view presented by Paustian-Underdahl, Walker and Woehr, 2014, There
re various ways through which Unilever Plc can easily promote gender equality at working
place. These are Altering Hiring Practices to increase diversity, Equal Pay, Prioritizing Work-life
Balance, Strict and Effective Policies against Harassment and Workplace Offence etc. These are
consider more effective and essential ways for an organisation to use and promote gender
equality at workplace.

Research Methodology
It is significant part of the project because it support in collection of accurate and valid
data about the field of study. Under this section of project, different useful methods and
techniques have been included which are described as below:
Data collection: There are basically two types of data collection methods which are
primary and secondary. Both methods of data collection are important for current study as it
helps researcher by providing valid and detailed data regrading the research. In order to collect
primary data, questionnaire is used because it give information in reliable and quantitative form.
In case of secondary methods, various sources will be available for investigator which are
magazines, books, publication research and many other ( Terjesen, Aguilera and Lorenz, 2015).
Thus, primary and secondary source of data collection are useful and valuable for current
investigation.
Types of investigation: This section of methodology have two different types such as
qualitative and quantitative. For performing current investigation, quantitative research will be
applied because it support investigator in accumulating of data or information in quantitative
manner. Another purpose for selecting this method as it save cost and time of investigator.
Qualitative is another study that is not useful within a research because it consume more time of
researcher.
Sampling techniques: Within an investigation, probability type of sampling will be going
to applied. As it support researcher in selection of sample size on random basis. By using this
method of sampling 40 employees of Unilever Plc will be selected. As compare to non
probability sampling, probability sampling is more useful as it not take more time and resources
of company or investigator ( Peachey and et. al., 2015).

Anticipated outcome
Main purpose and aim of this project is to determine the contribution of leader and
manager in promotion of gender equality at workplace. For accomplishing this aim, researcher
require to use quantitative research as it support them by providing valid and reliable information
regarding the importance of leadership and management in managing gender equality at
workplace.

Data analysis
Data analysis is the effective or systematic process of evaluating data about the specific
field of study. This part of the research report helps investigator in evaluating of qualitative or
quantitative information regarding the title. Current research project is based on quantitative data
and for analysing or evaluating quantitative data, frequency distribution analysis will be followed
by researcher as an analytical tool. In this technique, researcher will require to making frequency
distribution table and then distributing entire table in single table according to the research
questions ( Kalpazidou Schmidt and Cacace, 2019). Therefore, this technique will be more
useful for researcher in evaluating of quantitative data in less time period. Ms-Excel will also
applying by researcher for making an effective graphs according to the each questions presented
in questionnaire. Therefore, frequency distribution table and research findings will be presented
as below:
Q1) Are you aware regarding the significance of gender equality in context of
Unilever Plc.
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q2) Does gender equality helps Unilever Plc by eliminating the issue of gender
based discrimination within the workplace?
Frequency
a) Strongly Agree 25
b) Agree 10
c) Disagree 3
d) Strongly disagree 2
Q3) as per your opinion, what are the importance of leadership and
management within a workplace of Unilever Plc?
Frequency
a) Building Employee morale 16
b) Promote business growth 14
c) Provide appropriate guidance to employees 10

Q4) How management and leadership support your organisation in promoting
of gender equality in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Providing equal pay 17
b) Having equal policies to men and women 13
c) Equal opportunities for development 10
Q5) What are the significance of gender equality at workplace of Unilever Plc? Frequency
a) Positive atmosphere 15
b) Supportive environment 15
c) High level of leadership 10
Q6) According to you, what are the effective ways that may be require by
manger and leader of Unilever Plc for promoting gender equality at workplace?
Frequency
a) Creating an inclusive gender-diverse workplace 17
b) Having fair compensation practices 10
c) Promoting gender equality with better job descriptions 13
Q7) What are the issues you faced at workplace of Unilever Plc due to their
gender based discrimination?
Frequency
a) High employee turnover 16
b) Low Employee productive 14
c) Poor business performance and growth 10
Q8) According to you, what are the suitable policies or strategies would be use
by Unilever Plc for reducing the negative effective of gender based
discrimination?
Frequency
a) Implementation of Equality act 2010 18
b) Providence of training on unconscious bias 12
c) Have a clear policy on discrimination 10
Q9) Does gender equality support an organisation in achievement of Frequency

competitive advantages?
a) Yes 35
b) No 5

Q1) Are you aware regarding the significance of gender equality in context of
Unilever Plc.
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10
Frequency
Q2) Does gender equality helps Unilever Plc by eliminating the issue of gender
based discrimination at workplace?
Frequency
a) Strongly Agree 25
b) Agree 10
c) Disagree 3
d) Strongly disagree 2

a) Strongly Agree
b) Agree
c) Disagree
d) Strongly disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
10
3 2
Frequency
Q3) As per your view, what are the importance of leadership and management
within a workplace of Unilever Plc?
Frequency
a) Building Employee morale 16
b) Promote business growth 14
c) Provide appropriate guidance to employees 10

a) Building Employee morale
c) Provide appropriate guidance to employees
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
14
10
Frequency
Q4) How management and leadership support your organisation in promoting
of gender equality at workplace?
Frequency
a) Providing equal pay 17
b) Having equal policies to men and women 13
c) Equal opportunities for development 10

a) Providing equal pay
b) Having equal policies to men and women
c) Equal opportunities for development
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
13
10
Frequency
Q5) What are the significance of gender equality at workplace of Unilever Plc? Frequency
a) Positive atmosphere 15
b) Supportive environment 15
c) High level of leadership 10

a) Positive atmosphere
b) Supportive environment
c) High level of leadership
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15 15
10
Frequency
Q6) According to you, what are the effective ways that may be require by
manger and leader of Unilever Plc for promoting gender equality at workplace?
Frequency
a) Creating an inclusive gender-diverse workplace 17
b) Having fair compensation practices 10
c) Promoting gender equality with better job descriptions 13

a) Creating an inclusive gender-diverse workplace
c) Promoting gender equality with better job descriptions
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
10
13
Frequency
Q7) What are the issues you faced at workplace of Unilever Plc due to their
gender based discrimination?
Frequency
a) High employee turnover 16
b) Low Employee productive 14
c) Poor business performance and growth 10

a) High employee turnover
c) Poor business performance and growth
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
14
10
Frequency
Q8) In your opinion, what are the suitable policies or strategies would be use
by Unilever Plc for reducing the negative effective of gender based
discrimination?
Frequency
a) Implementation of Equality act 2010 18
b) Providence of training on unconscious bias 12
c) Have a clear policy on discrimination 10

a) Implementation of Equality act 2010
c) Have a clear policy on discrimination
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
12
10
Frequency
Q9) Does gender equality support an organisation in achievement of
competitive advantages?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
35
5
Frequency

Research Findings
Findings of the research is based on collected primary and secondary data and their
relationship with each other. Therefore, findings or current study will be explained as below:
Question 1: Awareness regarding the effectiveness of gender equality among employees
Interpretation: Majority of participants are aware about the significance of gender
equality at workplace. They said, gender equality support an organisation in reduction of high
employee turnover as well as also help them in gaining of valid outcomes easily. Remaining 10
respondents not have any idea about the same concept.
Question 2: Importance of gender equality in preventing of discrimination
Interpretation: Gender equality at workplace is essential and important part for the
success of an organisation because it will help them in preventing discrimination at workplace.
For this statement 25 out of 40 employees of Unilever plc are strongly agreed, 10 are agreed, 3
are disagreed and remaining 2 are strongly disagreed. Therefore, majority of participants are
agreed as it proof, gender equality helps an enterprise to reduce gender based discrimination in
the workplace.
Question 3: Importance of leadership and management at workplace
Interpretation: Leadership and management are introduces to the most important part of
the business success and growth. There are different of leadership and management at workplace
of Unilever Plc. For this, 16 respondents had knowledge as leadership support business leader in
building of employee moral that results in improved business performance. 14 participants had
idea as leadership and management assist an enterprise by promoting business growth.
Remaining 10 respondents had opinion as management help an organisation in providence of
appropriate guidance to employees that output in completion of business activity within given
time duration.
Question 4: Significance of leadership and management in promoting of gender equality
Interpretation: This graph or table helped in identification of leadership and management
and its significance in promoting gender equality within a workplace. 17 out of 40 employees of
Unilever Plc had knowledge as, they helped an organisation to provide equal pay to both men as
well as women employees. 13 respondents had view as it support Unilever Plc by developing
equal polices for male and female workers. Remaining 10 participants had opinion as it support
in providence of equal opportunities for growth and development of employees at workplace.

Therefore, all these major importance that support manger and leader by promoting gender
equality at workplace.
Primary data has been correlated with the secondary data gathered for literature review
from number of secondary sources i.e. books, articles, publication research etc. In this authors
had view as management and leadership contribute their more in promoting of gender equality at
workplace. They said as it helps company by increasing number of knowledgeable employees
that results in higher growth and success of company ( Potvin and et. al., 2018).
Question 5: Significance of gender equality
Interpretation: There are various importance of gender equality at workplace of Unilever
plc. 15 out of 40 respondents had opinion as it increase positive atmosphere that results in large
number of satisfied employees. Other 15 participants had view as it help an organisation to
develop supportive environment that outcomes in reduced employee turnover. Remaining 10
participants had opinion as it increased level of leadership that will be essential for an
organisation because it helps in completion of each and every business activities with timely and
full guidance.
From the above mentioned primary information related with the literature review. In this
authors had opinion as gender equality support Unilever Plc by developing positive working
environment, increasing employees moral etc (Sposato and Rumens, 2018).
Question 6: Ways for promoting gender equality
Interpretation: There are number of effective ways that will be essential for leader and
manger of Unilever Plc in promoting of gender equality within a workplace. 17 out of 40
respondents had knowledge as creating of an inclusive gender-diverse workplace is effective
because it support in promoting of gender equality. 10 participants had opinion as having fair
compensation practices is effective and important way for business leader and manger to
promote gender equality at workplace. Remaining 13 participants had view as promoting of
gender equality with better job descriptions is essential way for promoting gender equality at
workplace in systematic and effective manner.
Primary data has been related with the secondary data gathered from secondary sources
for literature review. In this respondents had opinion as development of inclusive gender-diverse
workforce is effective way for company in promoting of gender equality within a workplace
( Torchia and et. al., 2018).

Question 7: Issues of gender based discrimination at workplace of Unilever Plc
Interpretation: There are number of issues related with gender discrimination within a
workplace. 16 out of 40 respondents had view as high employee turnover is major issue of
gender discrimination at workplace of Unilever Plc. 14 participants had knowledge as low
employee productivity is main issue and remaining 10 had opinion as poor business growth and
performance is major issue at workplace of company.
Question 8: Policies and strategies for reducing negative effect of gender discrimination
Interpretation: There are various number of policies as well as strategies that must be
apply by Unilever Plc for reducing the gender discrimination within the workplace. 18 out of 40
participants had opinion as development of equality act 2010 is best practice as it help company
to protect their all workers or employees from discrimination. 12 participants had view as
providence of training on unconscious bias is essential for an organisation because it support in
increasing knowledge among employees about the discrimination policies. Remaining 10 had
opinion as Unilever Plc must have a clear policy on discrimination.
Question 9: Importance of gender equality for company in achievement of competitive
benefits
Interpretation: Most of the participants are agreed as gender equality help an
organisation to achieve competitive advantages because it increase knowledge among employees
about the discrimination or gender inequality. Remaining 5 respondents not had any kind of
knowledge or idea regarding the same.

Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion: From the above data it has been concluded that majority of participants are
had knowledge regarding the gender equality and its significance at workplace of company.
Different number of importance of gender equality discussed such as Positive atmosphere,
supportive environment and high level of leadership. These helped company in achievement of
its competitive advantages within less time duration. Apart from this, importance of leadership
and management were discussed that help an organisation in promoting of gender equality at
workplace. These are providence of equal pay, having equal policies to men and women and
equal opportunities for development. These are main significance of leadership and management
at workplace for promoting gender equality.
Recommendations: From the above given findings, it has been recommended different
ways for Unilever Plc to promote women employee at management and leadership position at
workplace. These ways are explained as below: Provide training opportunities: Providence of training for women employee is a
powerful way for Unilever Plc to promoter women leadership at workplace. Training
related with gender equality is a transformative or effective process and it purpose to give
accurate knowledge, techniques as well as tools to create skills and changes within
attitude and behaviour. This will help Unilever plc by reducing the high employee
turnover and providing better opportunities for future growth.
 Flexible work schedule: Unilever plc must have flexible work programs that will suit
female employees. Flexibility within work schedule like giving some days of remote
work to worker is quite promoting. Within this case, when a worker requires to stay home
to spend time period with their family members, the Unilever plc trusts that they will still
acquire their work done.

Reflection
I am happy that I got an effective chance for doing research project over an interesting
topic i.e. contribution of gender equality in management and leadership of an organization. In
order to accomplish this objective, I used different methods that were effective in collecting of
primary or quantitative information regarding the topic. In this questionnaire helped me by
providing data reliable as well as valid data about the gender equality. Therefore, it helped me in
accomplishment of research aim and objectives easily. If, I get another chance for doing research
project again I will used Interview method as an alternative because there is no problem from
respondents side.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bolman, L. G. and Deal, T. E., 2017. Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and
leadership. John Wiley & Sons.
Elling, A., Hovden, J. and Knoppers, A. eds., 2018. Gender diversity in european sport
governance. Routledge.
Kalpazidou Schmidt, E. and Cacace, M., 2019. Setting up a dynamic framework to activate
gender equality structural transformation in research organizations. Science and
Public Policy. 46(3). pp.321-338.
Paustian-Underdahl, S. C., Walker, L. S. and Woehr, D. J., 2014. Gender and perceptions of
leadership effectiveness: A meta-analysis of contextual moderators. Journal of
applied psychology. 99(6). p.1129.
Peachey, J. W. And et. al., 2015. Forty years of leadership research in sport management: A
review, synthesis, and conceptual framework. Journal of Sport Management. 29(5).
pp.570-587.
Potvin, D. A. and et. al., 2018. Diversity begets diversity: A global perspective on gender
equality in scientific society leadership. PloS one. 13(5). p.e0197280.
Schuh, S. C. And et. al., 2014. Gender differences in leadership role occupancy: The
mediating role of power motivation. Journal of Business Ethics. 120(3). pp.363-
379.
Sposato, M. and Rumens, N., 2018. Advancing international human resource management
scholarship on paternalistic leadership and gender: the contribution of postcolonial
feminism. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, pp.1-21.
Terjesen, S., Aguilera, R. V. and Lorenz, R., 2015. Legislating a woman’s seat on the board:
Institutional factors driving gender quotas for boards of directors. Journal of
Business Ethics. 128(2). pp.233-251.
Torchia, M. and et. al., 2018. Women directors contribution to organizational innovation: A
behavioral approach. Scandinavian Journal of Management. 34(2). pp.215-224.
Van den Brink, M. and Benschop, Y., 2014. Gender in academic networking: The role of
gatekeepers in professorial recruitment. Journal of Management Studies. 51(3).
pp.460-492.
Wilson, F. M., 2017. Organizational behaviour and gender. Routledge.

Appendix
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you aware regarding the importance of gender equality in context of Unilever Plc.
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Does gender equality helps Unilever Plc by eliminating the issue of gender based
discrimination at workplace?
a) Strongly Agree
b) Agree
c) Disagree
d) Strongly disagree
Q3) In your opinion, what are the importance of leadership and management within a
workplace of Unilever Plc?
a) Building Employee morale
b) Promote business growth
c) Provide appropriate guidance to employees
Q4) How management and leadership support your organisation in promoting of gender
equality at workplace?
a) Providing equal pay
b) Having equal policies to men and women
c) Equal opportunities for development
Q5) What are the significance of gender equality at workplace of Unilever Plc?
a) Positive atmosphere
b) Supportive environment
c) High level of leadership
Q6) According to you, what are the effective ways that may be require by manger and leader of
Unilever Plc for promoting gender equality at workplace?
a) Creating an inclusive gender-diverse workplace.
b) Having fair compensation practices
c) Promoting gender equality with better job descriptions

Q7) What are the issues you faced at workplace of Unilever Plc due to their gender based
discrimination?
a) High employee turnover
b) Low Employee productive
c) Poor business performance and growth
Q8) What are the suitable policies or strategies would be use by Unilever Plc for reducing the
negative effective of gender based discrimination?
a) Implementation of Equality act 2010
b) Providence of training on unconscious bias
c) Have a clear policy on discrimination
Q9) Does gender equality support an organisation in achievement of competitive advantages?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Provide any recommendations to Unilever Plc in promoting women at management and
leadership position.