Examine Equality and Diversity Practices in LIDL

Research Project

Table of Contents
Research Project: Examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in LIDL. .................1
Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................1
Research Topic: “Managing equality and diversity”. A research project on LIDL...............1
1.1. Background of the research ............................................................................................1
1.2. Aim and objectives .........................................................................................................2
1.3. Rationale for selection of research topic ........................................................................2
1.4. Research questions .........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature Review ..........................................................................................................3
Chapter 3: Research Methodology .................................................................................................7
Chapter 4: Data analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................11
4.1) Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................11
4.2) Interpretation of data ....................................................................................................12
Chapter 5: Communication of research outcomes.........................................................................21
5.1) Research findings and Conclusion ..............................................................................21
5.2) Communication with stakeholder ................................................................................22
5.3) Recommendation ..........................................................................................................22
Chapter 6: Reflection ....................................................................................................................23
6.1) Reflection on the effectiveness of applied research methods.......................................23
6.2) Reflection on recommended actions for future improvement.......................................23
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................24
Appendix 1: Research ethical and proposal form ................................................................27
Appendix 2: Questionnaire............................................................................................................38

Research Project: Examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in
LIDL.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Research Topic: “Managing equality and diversity”. A research project on LIDL.
1.1. Background of the research
In today’s modern world, due to globalisation and enhanced integration at international
level along with enriched expansion of orgnisation the issues associated with management of
equality and diversity is become common for all companies (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019). The
concept of equality is all about leading and maintaining a fair workplace environment that must
be free from all kind of discrimination and favouritism on the basis of sex, gender, culture,
background, race or any other personal aspect. On the other side, diversity is a phenomena that
aim at maintaining a bonding and inclusion between culturally diversified group or employees
belongs to different backgrounds and having varied physical or other competencies. With
enhanced growth and expansion of an orgnisation at diversified location it become vital and
essential for a company to hire employees who belongs to diversified culture and nature to attract
and cater customers from diversified culture (Knights and Omanović, 2016). Thus, it become
more vital and crucial for a company to come up with effective strategies and policies to
maintain a significant level of equality and diversity at workplace in order to maintain to growth
and performance level of employees and overall company.
The organisation that is selected for current investigation is LIDL that is global
supermarket chain with more than 10000 stores across Europe and parts of US. The main
headquarter of LIDL is situated at Neckarsulm, Germany and offer a range of diversified
products to its customers which consist of fresh fruit & vegetable, meat, fish, bakery, cleaning
and household products, health and beauty products, pet food, baby food, frozen food, baby
health care and many other items (Lidl opens its 700th store in the UK, 2018). LIDL is a
multinational retailer with more than 700 stores in UK and other parts of world thus, issues
related with managing equality and diversity among its employees is commonly seen in LIDL.
Therefore, many vital polices and practises are adopted by LIDL to effectively manage equality
and diversity at its workplace along with leading Gender equality to ensure higher performance
and betterment of organisation (Ravazzani, 2016). Thus, current investigation is conducted to
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examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in LIDL along with evaluating about
the various diversity issues at workplace together with techniques for effective management of
equality.
1.2. Aim and objectives
Research aim
The aim set out for current investigation is, “To evaluate about the various diversity
issues at workplace together with techniques for effective management of equality.” An
investigation made on Lidl Rowan Road situated at 216 Rowan Rd, London SW16 5HX, United
Kingdom.
Research Objectives
The main objectives that are associated with current investigation on LIDL are provided
below:
 To develop better understanding about the issues associated with diversity at workplace.
 To evaluate about the impact of gender equality on the performance of employees of
LIDL.
 To identify the importance of equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation.
 To determine all possible strategies and techniques that can be adopted by LIDL to
manage equality and diversity at its workplace.
1.3. Rationale for selection of research topic
The current investigation is based on topic of managing equality and diversity which is
rationale from professional aspects of researcher as providing enriched information about the
various issues associated with managing diversity along with leading knowledge about policies
and strategies to cope up with these challenge. This investigation is vital to lead and ensure better
management of equality and diversity at workplace along with effectiveness and benefits in
leading enhanced success and better performance of an orgnisation through enhancing its
creativity and innovation level. Apart from these professional reason the current research project
all meet personal aspects of researcher through ensuring development of better managerial,
communication and other interpersonal skills along with meeting academic perspective to have
better future and development.
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1.4. Research questions
The questions and issues that are evaluated and analysed through current investigation on
LIDL are stated as below:
 What is meant by the issues associated with diversity at workplace?
 What impact is lead by gender equality on the performance of employees of LID?
 What importance is lead by equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation?
 What are the possible strategies and techniques that can be adopted by LIDL to manage
equality and diversity at its workplace?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
It forms a vital part of a research project as it the chapter that consists of evaluation and
discussion of various literature that are reviewed and surveyed for leading a base and framework
for current investigation (Özbilgin and Slutskaya, 2017). The various online articles’ and journal
analysed for current investigation on the topic of equality and diversity are evaluated below:
To develop better understanding about the issues associated with diversity at workplace
According to the view point of Angela Hood, 2017. There are some of the most common
issues and challenges associated with managing and creating diversity at workplace are barriers
in communication and language, differences in culture, employees bullying, sexual harrasment
and so on. These are the barriers which are faced by companies while associating diversity at
workplace. When company faces these issues it affects the performance of an employee as it
reduces the efficiency and effectiveness and ultimately this all affect the performance of the
business. These all are the problems which create stress level among the employees and
miscommunication and misinterpretation also increase. When these issues happen employee
turnover increases which is the loss for company as they need to again invest in the process of
hiring employees. Some issues are explained under:
Ethnic and Cultural Differences- It is difficult for mangers and leaders to understand the
needs and expectations of employees who belongs to different ethic and culture. Beside this, a
level of prejudice and discrimination is also seen in employees with the individual’s that belongs
to different ethic and culture. Thus, eliminating those ethic and cultural difference among a
diverse workforce is the main issues encountered or associated with leading diversity at
workplace (Mahlangu, 2019). A challenge is faced by organisation in coordinating and setting a
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mutual road or work style among theses culturally diversified people who are have different
needs and expectations as per their diversified background and culture that lead to conflict of
interest at workplace.
Language and Communication barriers- The another issues associated with diversity is
related with lack of effective communication and bonding among employees that is mainly due
to use of different language. It is difficult for an organisation to direct and guide a diversified
group of people and employees as they all are not habitual and comfortable with use of common
a language that hampers communication and lead to enhanced chances of chaos and clash at
workplace.
Sexual harassment and incidence of Bullying - With enhancing diversity at workplace the
issues associated with gender discrimination is also encountered that is mainly related with
discrimination regarding hiring, salary, opportunities, and promotions among employees on the
basis of the gender which hamper the performance and efficiency level of employees. Beside
this, a increased number of cases associated with sexual harassment and bullying is also seen due
to diversity at workplace that lead to creation of stress and depression among employees and
severely hamper performance and efficiency level of workforce (Dahanayake and et. al., 2018).
To evaluate about the impact of gender equality on the performance of employees of LIDL
As per the information provided by Sharon Hurley Hall, 2020, gender equality lead a
positive impact on performance of employees as it a factor that lead to reduction in cases of
sexual harassment or any other kind of Buying or discrimination on the basis of sex or gender of
an individual. It has been evaluated that gender equality is a vital concept that ensures same
treatment for males and females employees and leading equal considerations for different
behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men that must be valued and favoured equally
at the workplace of an orgnisation. The other benefits that are lead by creation of gender equality
on the performance of LIDL and overall organisation are stated below:
Improved productivity- It has been evaluated that one of the major benefit of gender
equality is that it lead to improved productivity through leading a more cohesive and efficient
workforces. Creation of gender equality brings more satisfaction level and enhanced mental
peace through eliminating stress and other negative impact thus, lead to improvement in
productivity and efficiency level of employees (Bouten, 2016).
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Better quality of life- The another benefit of gender equality is that it ensures better quality
of life for employees through eliminating all kind of gender discrimination that consist of fair
recruitment and section process along with fair pay and promotion strategy that lead to fair
promotion and growth opportunity to both males and females. Thus, creation of gender equality
leads to continuing innovate, grow and be productive that leads to a better quality of life for
employees of all genders. Thus, motivates employees of all gender to work hard and have better
performance (Jozwiak, 2019).
Thus, with respect to above discussion it can be evaluated gender equality lead to
enhanced productivity through leading a fair and harassment free workplace that motivates
employees for better performance along with improving the quality of life employees through
eliminating all king of discrimination on the basis of gender which consists equal hiring
opportunity and fair pay. Thus, it can be evaluated that gender equality at workplace lead to a
positive and optimistic impact on performance of employees.
To identify the importance of equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation
As per the information lead by Louise Petty, 2016, equality and diversity are vital and
important for betterment and success of an orgnisation as it plays a significant role in enhancing
overall creativity and competency level of orgnisation through leading hiring and recruitment of
employees from diversified location that lead to better pool of talent. The other crucial and
important role lead by equality and diversity in betterment and success of an organisation are
discussed and evaluated below:
Increase creativity and innovation level- The foremost importance of leading equality
and diversity at workplace consist of the fact that it improve the overall creativity and innovation
level of an organisation through leading a wider pool of talented candidates from diversified
culture and background (Riccucci, 2018). Further, equality leads to a more motivated workforce
that ensures higher creativity and innovation level in them through directing them for making
better efforts for success of an organisation.
Enhanced Growth opportunity- The another importance of leading equality and diversity
at workplace is associated with enhanced growth opportunity as a diversified workforce ensures
better awareness and understanding about the customers who belongs to different culture and
background (Zhang and et. al., 2016). Further, diversified workforce also overcome the issues of
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