Importance of Implementing Equality and Diversity Practices to Reduce Workplace Discrimination: A Case Study on Sainsbury's

This research focuses on the importance of implementing equality and diversity practices in order to reduce workplace discrimination within an organization. It includes a case study on Sainsbury's and explores different practices and advantages gained. The research aims to analyze the concept and importance of workplace discrimination, examine different equality and diversity practices, and determine the advantages gained by Sainsbury's. The methodology includes research design, data collection methods, and types of investigation. The findings highlight the benefits of implementing equality and diversity practices in terms of positive working environment, high growth opportunities, and achievement of objectives.

Unit 11 – Research
Project

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW(600)........................................................................................................4
Methodology and data collection.....................................................................................................4
Data analysis and interpretation(400)..............................................................................................5
Research outcome............................................................................................................................5
Conclusion and Recommendations (300)........................................................................................5
Reflection & Recommendation of alternative research methodology (300)...................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Equality is about ensuring every person has equal opportunity, is not treated discriminated
or differently against do too their characteristics. On the other hand, diversity is about taking
consideration of the differences among people and group of people, and placing a positive value
on the differences. Equality and diversity is a broad term which is used in order to define human
rights, values, equality in the society, organization, teams and many more (Flynn, Haynes and
Kilgour, 2017). It is important for an organization to execute in quality as well as diversity
practices at workplace at assist in maintaining performance level, motivating staff members,
enhance productivity, retain employees, develop brand image and so on. For the present
research, Sainsbury is chosen as a based company. It is the second largest chain of supermarket
within the UK and is established in year 1869. The head office of Sainsbury is located in
England, UK and at present it provide offerings in more than 12 countries. The report will cover
an understanding about the importance of executing equality and diversity for declining
workplace discrimination in an organization. In addition to this, different methods used to collect
information and to obtain valid and reliable conclusion is elaborated in a proper manner.
Furthermore, a reflection is going to be involved along with some recommendations that help in
performing business functions in an appropriate manner.
Research Aim:
“To analyze the importance of implementing equality and diversity practices in order to
reduce workplace discrimination within an organization. A case study on Sainsbury’s.
Research Objectives:
 To know about concept and importance of workplace discrimination.
 To examine different equality and diversity practices which help in declining workplace
discrimination within Sainsbury’s.
 To determine the advantages gain by Sainsbury’s in declining level of workplace
discrimination.
Research objectives
 What is the concept and importance of workplace discrimination?

 What are the different equality and diversity practices that help in declining workplace
discrimination within Sainsbury’s?
 What are the advantages gain by Sainsbury’s in declining level of workplace
discrimination?
LITERATURE REVIEW
To know about concept and importance of workplace discrimination.
According to the view point of Pascoe (2017), Workplace discrimination is defined as a
concept which is more of a part of work culture of an organisation where people are treated
differently due to several factors such as there cast, gender, region, belongingness, education,
skill sets and others. As per the concern of the author workplace discrimination is critically
determined as a negative process which should not be part any organisations work culture
(Gibson and Fernandez, 2018). It is the responsibility of the management and leadership of the
company to make sure that are concepts like workplace discrimination should be demoralized
and do not became part of their organisation for the two most important agendas one of which is
keeping the productivity of the entity high and making people work with utmost willingness and
motivation to offer the best results to the organisation possible. As per the importance of
workplace discrimination is considered the author while determining it as a negative process
automatically described it an essential aspect for management to look over in order to keep the
work going and making sure that such concept does not exist in there entity.
To examine different equality and diversity practices which help in declining workplace
discrimination within Sainsbury’s.
As per the opinion of Laynee, (2021), there are numerous different practices that are part
of the programmes removing workplace discrimination from organisations and in the same
manner there are certain practices that can be adopted by Sainsbury’s for bringing equality and
diversity and promoting the notion throughout the entity. Some of these practices are highly
productive and helpful for the business and the most common one is training and development of
workforce. Through different training programs and sessions the management of the entity can
easily keep their employees aware about the share results and outcomes of not treating everyone
equally and fairly (Lebone, 2017). Training sessions will help management and other staff
members to make sure of that employees are well behaved and working in the fair manner

possible. Another practice which is useful for Sainsbury is a fair recruitment and selection
process which will make sure that non discrimination is being made while choosing and bringing
in the best talents for fulfilling the requirements and tasks of the entity.
To determine the advantages gain by Sainsbury’s in declining level of workplace discrimination.
In view point of Michell,(2018), the notion of workplace discrimination is highly motivated
and suppresses the productivity of an organisation. Hence, it is always suggested to management
and leadership of organisations to make sure that the level of workplace discrimination is always
declined in order to gain certain advantages. These advantages which will be enjoyed by
Sainsbury’s in regards to declined level of workplace discrimination is first of improved and
enhanced motivation level of people within the organisation performing the tasks assigned
(Panicker, Agrawal and Khandelwal, 2018). Another advantage which will be enjoyed by the
entity is better productive performances of employees and the most appropriate skill sets
required for completing the task will be present in the right place, right time to make sure that
efficient results are offered to the brand.
Methodology and data collection
Research methodology is basically a process which is defined as a system that enable a
researcher or an investigator to collect information or data on certain topic in the most effective
and efficient manner. There are several different tools and techniques involved in the phenomena
of research methodology which are the best sources for gathering the most reliable and suitable
information in relation to the topic for providing appropriate evidences in regards to the
outcomes and conclusion presented. In regards to this research the investigator adopted different
methods in order to present positive outcomes these methods are discussed as follows.
Research design: The aspect of research design is defined as a particular structure which
is essential for the researcher to identify and also to follow in order to perform the research in a
particular manner on the particular topic for increasing their understanding in the best possible
manner. There are different types of research designs beginning with correlation, descriptive,
experimental, meta-analytic and others. For this research the investigator has selected descriptive
research design which is one of the most common of all. The descriptive research design will
help the researcher to make use of questionnaire for providing and in-depth information and
contributing in drawing valid results for supporting the conclusion of the research as evidence.

Data collection method:
 Primary data collection is one way of gathering information which is important and
essential in order to conduct the research and support the ultimate conclusion. Primary
research is conducted by using questionnaire (Park, 2020)(Reddy, 2019). This is a tool
where close ended questions are asked from the population for gathering their point of
views.
 Secondary data collection is a common source of accumulating valid information favour
of the research and also for supporting the evidence. For collecting secondary
information literature review is the technique used. literature review is a method in which
opinions of different authors and experts are examined in order to reach to an appropriate
and most realistic outcome as well as collecting the most beneficial information for
supporting the data and arguments made.
Types of investigation:
 Qualitative method of investigation is a technique that help in collecting information
which is more of a theoretical manner rather than numerical. This form of investigation
technique helps and assist the researcher to gain positive outcomes and results of the
research and collective qualitative research is more descriptive method of gathering data
by using all the tasks and activities of the research in the most productive manner.
 Quantitative is another investigation technique which is commonly used by researchers
while conducting their tasks and completing their research. This form of investigating
technique includes collection of numerical data well as statistical information which is
helpful in completing the search with an appropriate examination of variable figures and
statistics. This research tool uses survey methods and questionnaire in order to get hold of
the numerical data. For this research quantitative is used per data collection for having
appropriate numerical data which draws reliable and valid contributions to the conclusion
and end result of the work conducted.
Sampling: This a method under process used to choose a group of number of individuals
from amongst the entire population for collecting information. There are two types of sampling
methods that are probabilistic and non-probabilistic. For this research random sampling is chosen
by the researcher which is a probabilistic sampling technique where 30 respondents are chosen as
a group.

Ethics: It is the moral principle which an investigator should apply, regardless of place
and time. In addition to this, there are different principles of ethics which must be follow by
investigator that is avoiding deceptive practices, giving right to withdraw, protecting
confidentiality and anonymity, obtaining informed consent on so on. Following of all these
ethics help researcher in completion of all the activities in an ethical and systematic way.
Reliability and validity: It is another method involved within research methodology
which is mainly based on the questionnaire. Along with this, it is an useful method of gathering
information which help researcher to test the validity as well as reliability of the results in an
effective manner.
Cost, access and ethical issues: For conducting the investigation, researcher have to put
focus on some aspects in order to attain feasible and positive research outcomes (Rees and
Smith, 2017). Along with this, it support researcher in collecting primary as well as secondary
information in an appropriate manner. There are some of the ethical practices such as
confidentiality, authenticity, informed consent etc that is helpful for completion of study in an
ethical manner.
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have knowledge about the concept of workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Q2) In your opinion, is adoption of equality and diversity practices assist
Sainsbury's to attain objectives of organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 21
b) Disagree 9
Q3) As per your view point, what are the advantages attained by
Sainsbury's by executing equality & diversity practices at workplace?
a) Development of positive working environment 10

b)High growth opportunities 10
c)Achievement of objectives 10
Q4) Which one is the appropriate equality and diversity practice for
Sainsbury's to implement at workplace?
a) Allow participation of employees in decision making 12
b) Effective leadership 10
c) Top to down approach 8
Q5) As per your view point, is equality & diversity assist in enhancing
productivity of employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
Q6) According to you, what is the influence of executing equality and
diversity practices in organisation?
a) Positive influence 20
b) Negative influence 7
c) Neutral 3
Q 7) What are the major problems that impact directly on the productivity
of staff members working in Sainsbury's?
Frequency
a) Improper guidance & instruction by higher authorities 10
b) Demoralization 10
c) Anxiety at work 10
Q8) In your opinion, is executing equality & diversity help in retaining
and managing employees for longer time period?
Frequency
a) Agree 18
b) Disagree 12

Data analysis and interpretation
Q1) Do you have knowledge about the concept of workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Interpretation: From the above graph, it is stated that from the total 30 participants, 22
participants have the idea about the concept of workplace discrimination. Along with this, the
remaining 8 participants have no idea about this concept.
Q2) In your opinion, is adoption of equality and diversity practices assist
Sainsbury's to attain objectives of organisation?
Frequency
a) Agree 21
b) Disagree 9
22
8
a) Yes
b) No

Interpretation: By analysing the above graph, it is analysed that adoption of equality &
diversity practices help respective organisation to achieve its objectives, which is said by 21
respondents from the total 30 participants. Along with this, it is interpreted that 9 respondents is
not agree with the point.
Q3) As per your view point, what are the advantages attained by
Sainsbury's by executing equality & diversity practices at workplace?
a) Development of positive working environment 10
b)High growth opportunities 10
c)Achievement of objectives 10
21
9
a) Agree
b) Disagree

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is stated that development of positive working
environment and high growth opportunities are the advantages gain by implementing equality
and diversity practices, which is stated by 10 participants respectively. The remaining 10
participants perceive that attainment of objectives is the advantage gained by respective
organisation.
Q4) Which one is the appropriate equality and diversity practice for
Sainsbury's to implement at workplace?
a) Allow participation of employees in decision making 12
b) Effective leadership 10
c) Top to down approach 8
10
10
10
a) Development of positive
working environment
b)High growth opportunities
c)Achievement of objectives

Interpretation: It is stated from the give graph that allowing employees to participate in
decision making is an effective practice for respective organisation and is stated by 12
participants from the total 30 respondents. Along with this, 10 participants said that effective
leadership is the strategy whereas the remaining 8 respondents said that following top to down
approach is the appropriate equality and diversity practice for Sainsbury's to implement at
workplace.
Q5) As per your view point, is equality & diversity assist in enhancing
productivity of employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
12
10
8
a) Allow participation of
employees in decision
making
b) Effective leadership
c) Top to down approach

Interpretation: The above graph stated that out of total 30 respondents, 25 participants
said that equality & diversity assist in enhancing productivity of employees. Along with this, the
remaining 5 respondents is not agree with the point.
Q6) According to you, what is the influence of executing equality and
diversity practices in organisation?
a) Positive influence 20
b) Negative influence 7
c) Neutral 3
25
5
a) Yes
b) No

Interpretation: By analysing the above graph, it is analysed that executing equality &
diversity practices has positive impact in organisation and is perceive by 20 respondents. The 7
participants said that there is negative influence whereas 3 think that there is no impact on the
company.
Q 7) What are the major problems that impact directly on the productivity
of staff members working in Sainsbury's?
Frequency
a) Improper guidance & instruction by higher authorities 10
b) Demoralization 10
c) Anxiety at work 10
20
7
3
a) Positive influence
b) Negative influence
c) Neutral

Interpretation: It is analysed that there are various issues that influence on the
productivity of employees that is improper guidance by superiors, demoralization, anxiety at
workplace, which is said by 10 respondents respectively.
Q8) In your opinion, is executing equality & diversity help in retaining
and managing employees for longer time period?
Frequency
a) Agree 18
b) Disagree 12
10
10
10
a) Improper guidance &
instruction by higher authorities
b) Demoralization
c) Anxiety at work

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is determined that from the total 30 respondents,
18 participants agree with the point that executing equality & diversity help in retaining and
managing employees for longer time period. In addition to this, the remaining 10 respondents is
not agree with the point.
Research outcome
Stakeholders: in the present investigation, stakeholders plays an important role in the
completion of study in a systematic manner. The stakeholders include employees, managers,
government on other associated people that help in collecting information about equality and
diversity practices (Thomson, Wei and Swallow, 2019). There were 30 employees of
Sainsbury’s chosen as participants for the present research work.
Communication of research outcome: In order to communicate the research outcome,
different methods is used by researcher like presentation report, written report and so on. It is
determined that written report is one of the effective and accurate manner to communicate
research outcome.
18
12
a) Agree
b) Disagree

Convincing argument: The report is based on retail sector that is Sainsbury’s, Where there
is an analysis of different equality and diversity practices that help in reducing discrimination at
workplace. By the assistance of equality and diversity practices, the company is able to enhance
productivity, retain employees, develop brand image and so on.
Conclusion and Recommendations
From the above study, it has been concluded that it is important for an organisation to
develop and implement equality & diversity practices as it help in maintaining positive working
environment, enhance productivity and retain staff members for longer time period. In addition
to this, there are various strategies adopt by companies to maintain equality at workplace such as
allow participation of employees in decision making, provide equal pay and so on. Moreover, it
is determined that with the help of primary and secondary research, an investigator is bale to
collect information that is reliable and valid and leads to attainment of positive outcomes.
Recommendations:
By analysing the above data, some of the recommendations to the higher authorities of
Sainsbury's is given below:
 It is recommended to higher authorities of Sainsbury's to give fair and equal opportunities
to every employee prevailing at workplace. It will help in maintaining equality and
productivity of staff members in an effective manner.
 In addition to this, it is suggested to give training and development session to employees
as it help in proper execution of activities and also assist in improving efficiency of staff
members which in turn leads to raise in productivity and profitability of the organisation.
 Moreover, it is recommended to the managers to continuously check whether the
activities is implement properly or not as it help in making improvements if required
timely and effectively.
Reflection & Recommendation of alternative research methodology
While conducting the research, it is analysed by me that it is significant for an
organisation to focus on declining the level of discrimination at workplace as it will help in
developing brand image, enhance productivity, maintain positive working environment and so
on. It is determined by me that my communication skills is not appropriate as required for the
collection of information. I learnt about the strategies that help company to maintain equality and

positive mind set of employees in an organisation. While conducting this research, It is analysed
by me that my communication, research and time management skills has improved that help me
in gaining opportunities in future. In the next time, I prefer to make use of survey method as a
research instrument as it help me to gain more accurate and reliable data in less time and cost as
well.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Flynn, P.M., Haynes, K. and Kilgour, M.A. eds., 2017. Overcoming challenges to gender
equality in the workplace: Leadership and innovation. Routledge.
Gibson, S. and Fernandez, J., 2018. Gender diversity and non-binary inclusion in the workplace:
The essential guide for employers. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Lebone, H., 2017. Embrace diversity and cultivate a culture of learning in the workplace:
feature-diversity. HR Future, 2017(Aug 2017), pp.20-21.
Panicker, A., Agrawal, R.K. and Khandelwal, U., 2018. Inclusive workplace and organizational
citizenship behavior. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Park, J.S.Y., 2020. Translating culture in the global workplace: Language, communication, and
diversity management. Applied Linguistics, 41(1), pp.109-128.
Reddy, R., 2019. Liberal gender equality and social difference: an institutional
ethnography. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.
Rees, G. and Smith, P. eds., 2017. Strategic human resource management: An international
perspective. Sage.
Thomson, S.B., Wei, W.X. and Swallow, P., 2019. Equality and harmony: diversity management
in China. Chinese Management Studies.
Vassilopoulou, J., Brabet, J. and Showunmi, V. eds., 2019. Race Discrimination and
Management of Ethnic Diversity and Migration at Work: European Countries'
Perspectives. Emerald Group Publishing.
Online:
Discrimination, 2017 [online] Available through: <https://www.apa.org/topics/racism-bias-
discrimination/types-stress>
Factors to promote equality, 2021 [online] Available through:
< https://www.skillcast.com/blog/7-tips-promote-equality-end-workplace-discrimination>