Impact of Workplace Discrimination on Employee Performance: A Case Study on Costa

This research proposal aims to analyze the impact of workplace discrimination on the performance of employees at Costa Coffee. It includes research objectives, research questions, literature sources, research approach, and methodologies. The study will provide insights into workplace discrimination and its effects on employee performance.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................3
Research Ethics approval form........................................................................................................9

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: To analyse the impact of work place discrimination over the performance of
employees at work place. A case study on Costa.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Research Aim
To analyse the potential impact of work place discrimination over the performance of
employees at workplace. A case study on Costa.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how
to do? What do you want to find out?):
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of workplace discrimination in the context of a business.
 To identify the issues that are faced by employees due to workplace discrimination.
 To determine the impact of workplace discrimination over the performance of Costa Coffee. To ascertain the strategies that can be effective for Costa Coffee in eliminating workplace
discrimination.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of workplace discrimination in the context of a business?
 What key issues are faced by employees due to workplace discrimination?
 What is the impact of workplace discrimination over the performance of Costa Coffee?
 What strategies can be effective for Costa Coffee in eliminating workplace discrimination?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest,
future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):

The major reason for conducting investigation over the area of potential impact of work place
discrimination over the performance of employees, thus workplace discrimination is a major issue which
affects the morale of employees and has a direct impact on the operations of business. The research on
the ground of workplace discrimination is executed for the personal interest of the researcher as this
study will effectual for an investigator or learner in enhancing their skills and knowledge base. This
study study will also be efficacious in enhancing the personal and professional ability of a researcher and
learner which would be advantageous for them in attempting their future projects in more effective
manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
To understand the concept of workplace discrimination in the context of a business.
As per the views expressed by Sarah Benstead, 2018, Discrimination in the workplace is relay upon
certain prejudices and occurs when a worker is treated unfavourably due to the reason of sexuality,
religion, gender, race, pregnancy or maternity or disability. In the context of a business, workplace
discrimination is recognised as the major issue which in-consist over various aspects like equality, race,
gender, religion culture difference etc. Thus these affects the overall functioning of a business at higher
level. However, Discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer discriminates in against of an
employee in regards to work-related decisions, involving various issues likewise hiring, firing,
promotions, and availability of advantages. There are federal and state laws in place to protect employees
from discrimination in the workplace. Thus, this is a major issue which needs to be resolved by the
business to gain growth and success.
https://www.breathehr.com/blog/what-is-discrimination-in-the-workplace
To identify the issues that are faced by employees due to workplace discrimination.
According to the opinion stated by Joanna Zamjbas, 2018, workplace discrimination is a major issue in
the terms of a business, therefore, it mainly defines as the process in which individual's are treated
unequally due to the reason of gender religion, race, culture etc. Employees with job are now more at the
risk than ever before with the developing list of issues faced through workers at work and the issues
facing by employees at work place. In today's business environment, there is still an obvious gender bias
that lingers within the workplace, thus these bias behaviour are effective for the men in providing the
benefits more than women. There are multiple issues like sexual harassment, gender pay gap, low

motivation, job satisfaction, work life imbalance etc. therefore, these are mainly faced by the employees
at work place due to the issue of discrimination.
https://www.careeraddict.com/women-workplace
To determine the impact of workplace discrimination over the performance of Costa Coffee.
According to the opinion stated by Neslie A. Etheridge, 2015, discrimination is defined as a violation of
an individual's rights, therefore, discrimination affects the operations and functions of a business.
workplace discrimination and the stress consequent through discrimination are interconnected to a host
of negative business and employee performance, likewise lowered job satisfaction, reduced
organizational commitment, reduced job performance, decreased helping behaviours, and increased
turnover intentions. Thus, workplace discrimination mainly has adverse impact over the operations and
functions of employees at work place. Costa Coffee is a large food and beverage company which is
operating at global level and has its major concern over developing the operations of firm at market
place.
https://www.army.mil/article/142799/effects_of_discrimination_in_the_workplace
References
Benstead, S., 2018. What is discrimination in the workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.breathehr.com/blog/what-is-discrimination-in-the-workplace>.
Zambas, J., 2018. Issues Women Still Face in the Workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.careeraddict.com/women-workplace>.
Etheridge, N., 2015. Effects of discrimination in the workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.army.mil/article/142799/effects_of_discrimination_in_the_workplace>.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
How long this will
take:

Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing
the report):
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your
areas of research will cover:
Type of Investigation: This is the most important area of an investigation as it is effective in providing
suitable assistance to the researcher to carry out the investigation in suitable direction to drawn valid and
reliable outcome. An investigation is mainly of two types i.e. qualitative and quantitative research
methods, therefore, in the context of the present investigation work quantitative research is the most
suitable tool as it is effective in conducting an in-depth analysis over the area of analysing the potential
impact of work place discrimination over the performance of employees at work place. Thus
quantitative tools is effective in providing descriptive information with original facts and figures.
Research Philosophy: This section in-consist over Interpretivisim and positivism philosophy, thus these
are the two philosophical approaches that are significant for an investigation to reaching at the potential
outcome. In this present investigation area, positivism philosophy will be implemented by the
investigator as to providing information with the observation of human participants, as it is also suitable

for quantitative research.
Data Collection Tools: This is the imperative area of an investigation as it plays vital role in gathering
suitable information that could be effective in drawing suitable results. In the context of this present
analysis over analysing the potential impact of work place discrimination over the performance of
employees at work place, both primary as well as secondary sources will be suitable to collect mos
effective information. Primary study will be proficient in gathering new and valid data via the support of
questionnaire. On the other side, secondary tools like books, Published articles and non-published
research papers, journal etc. will be effective in conducting literature review which will be supportive in
enhancing the understanding in regards to the chosen subject area.
Data Sampling: In the existing investigation work, sampling will mainly select through random basis,
this this will be the most suitable way of selecting the sampling, Therefore, in this sample size of 40 will
be effective to gather valuable information.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human
participants or the use of data collected form human participants are
required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please
answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed
research fully with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time
before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
To analyse the impact of work place discrimination over the performance
of employees at work place. A case study on Costa.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :

Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes, in the research human participants are effective in regards to collection of actual information that
support the research issue.
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: more than 18
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
The participants of the research will recruited by the process of interview.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Investigator has select email facility thus it is the most easy and reliable process for informing
participants about the actions of the research.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be
made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any
time?
Email is the most appropriate source for providing consent to the participants. This is written in the form
of message. The researcher should also ensure the participants that they can withdraw their consent from
the research as per their own choice, thus participants are free to withdraw their consent from the
research any time.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising
from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for

their informed consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief
explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could
be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the
Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research:
The investigator and company both will have access personal information and data.
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be stored in USB, Hard disk, computer systems etc.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:

Where will the data be stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
The data will be recorded and kept for a long time purposes in the word form.
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply.
Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy: Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to
the Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.