Equality and diversity in the workplace

Research Project

Table of Contents
TITLE: Equality and diversity in the workplace.............................................................................4
Abstract............................................................................................................................................4
Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................................5
PART 1............................................................................................................................................6
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................6
Research aims.........................................................................................................................6
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................6
Research Questions................................................................................................................6
Background of company.........................................................................................................7
Significance of research.........................................................................................................7
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................7
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................10
Introduction..........................................................................................................................10
Research philosophy.............................................................................................................10
Research approach................................................................................................................11
Research strategy..................................................................................................................11
Research choices..................................................................................................................11
Sampling method..................................................................................................................12
Access Negotiations.............................................................................................................12
Research Limitations............................................................................................................12
Ethical Issues........................................................................................................................12
Gantt Chart...........................................................................................................................13
PART 2..........................................................................................................................................14
Data collection...............................................................................................................................14
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................14
Finding and analysis......................................................................................................................14
Questionnaire.................................................................................................................................14
Frequency Table...................................................................................................................17
Communicate outcome to stakeholders................................................................................31

RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................32
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................33
Alternative methodologies....................................................................................................34
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................34
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................36
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................38
Questionnaire filled by respondent.......................................................................................38

TITLE: Equality and diversity in the workplace
Abstract
This present report has covered detailed information on Gender pay gap which is commonly
seen as the difference between the payment or salary offered to men and women for the same job
role in same company. It is seen that many business association often indulge into unfair practice
paying less salary to women workers as compared to men staff. The core importance of the
present research is that it has provided deeper knowledge to investigator on equality and
diversity practices that are helpful in overcoming issues like gender pay gap at workplace. It has
also provided knowledge to business enterprises performing their business activities with vast
range of workforce. Also, both the primary and secondary form of data collection methods have
been taken into consideration. Questionnaire has been chosen as the main primary sources which
have been filled by 40 respondents whereas in secondary method books, journal and online
sources had been taken into consideration. The findings have revealed that equality and diversity
can be effectively managed by incorporating cultural diversity practices at workplace.

Acknowledgements
Initially I would like to give huge thanks to my superiors, mentors as well as guide who
have collaboratively provided me support in completing project with the provided time limit.
Furthermore, at next I would like to thank my team members with whom I have conducted
research on the proposed topic. Without the support of these people, it won’t be possible for me
to conduct research in effective manner. At last I would like to thank my family members and
friends who have provided me moral support throughout the project completion process.

PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity practices simply means that business associations should provide
equal job opportunity to employees without discriminating with them on the basis of culture,
religion, sex, racism, age, disability marriage or civil partnership etc. Gender pay gap is mainly
considered as one of the main problem among equality and diversity issues that are noticed in
business enterprises (Ozturk and Tatli, 2016). Gender Pay gap can be effectively managed with
the incorporation of cultural diversity practices at workplace in order to overcome issues related
to gender pay gap within the company. The present research is conducted by John Lewis in order
to develop their knowledge on the role of managing culture diversity to overcome the issues of
gender pay gap in workplace. In this regard, investigator have developed effective research aim,
objectives towards the same so that they can effectively execute this research in the timely
manner. All of them are stated as below:
Research aims
The research aim for current study is “To determine the role of managing culture
diversity to overcome the issues of gender pay gap in workplace.” A case on John Lewis.
Research Objectives
 To understand the importance of cultural diversity at workplace.
 To evaluated major issues that get arises at workplace due to gender pay gap.
 To ascertain the advantages associated with decline in gender pay gap that John Lewis
can leverage.
 To determine ways through which gender pay gap can be reduced at John Lewis.
Research Questions
 Explain concept of cultural diversity at workplace?
 What are the main problems that occurs at workplace due to gender pay gap?
 What are various benefits that can be attained by John Lewis with the reduction of gender
pay gap?
 How different cultural diversity practices contributes in reduction of gender pay gap?

Background of company
John Lewis & Partners is a renown chain of department store of UK which offers huge
range of products to its customers. The company was incorporated in the year 1864 and
headquartered in London, SW, United Kingdom. At the initial stage only one store of John Lewis
was opened at Oxford Street London which has later increased in around 51 stores with the
passing time. The respective company offers products and services to the customers at very
nominal prices. At the time of introduction of this store, the management team of the company
has announced that they will definitely offer all the products at very affordable prices that will
ultimately match with the pricing range of high street competitors. All of the operational
activities of this company are managed by its staff that is around 38100 in numbers. With the
passing period of time the company is expanding within UK by increasing its number of stores.
This growth also requires huge workforce who could tackle and manage business activity of the
company in rightful manner. Increasing number of workforce within the company clearly states
that they are hiring employees from different cultures as well as religion. This also develops
issues among employees because they are hiring people at different pay scale. This is resulting in
the decline of employees performance in negative manner. In this regard, management team of
this company has planned to conduct investigation on equality and diversity practices so that
they can implement them at workplace and reduce influence of these issues in negative manner.
Significance of research
This will develop huge scope as well as opportunities to business enterprises as domestic
as well as international scale by effectively sustaining employees loyal towards the company for
longer period of time. Developed knowledge on this topic also aware business ion effective
expansion at international scale too because they are having deeper knowledge on equality and
diversity practices and can easily implement them at workplace during their business expansion
at international scale. For investigators point of view, the current research will help them out in
developing their own research and other professional skills like time management, analytical,
communication and other skills. As a result it will provide support to researcher in conducting
more effective research in the future.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Importance of cultural diversity at workplace.

On the basis of views presented by Amaded, K., (2019), cultural diversity can be seen
every where huge range of people work or meet at the particular place. This could be seen at
various places like business associations, institutes, colleges etc. This diversity mainly develops
on the basis of various parameters like nationality, culture, religion, racism, gender, pay gap, age,
language, sexual harassment, socio-economic status etc. (Araten-Bergman, 2016). One of its
common contribution is that it allows business associations in analyzing any problematic
situation with various angles. This also contributes in the bringing variety of innovations within
the company as it includes variety of integrated practices at workplace. It is important for
employees to remain open minded as well as non judgmental towards differences among
employees and variety of practices performed by them at workplace.
With the perception of Boehm and Dwertmann, (2015), it can be later said that business
associations are required to deal with various cultural diversity practices so that they can execute
their business plan with the diversified workforce effectively. Diversified working practices is
highly important for the business associations. It has been observed if company has diversified
workforce then it is easier for them to build their brand with diversified target market. Also, it
allows business associations to bring most talented employees within the company without any
sort of cultural barrier (Erickson and et. al., 2014). Also, it reduces absenteeism within the
company and also results in reduction of employees turnover. As a result, it can be said that it
cultural diversity ultimately brings higher innovation within the industry and also supports
business association in gaining competitive edge in effective manner.
Major issues that get arises at workplace due to gender pay gap
As per the thoughts given by Ewoh, (2013), gender pay gap is basically seen when
business association are not paying equal wages or salary due to difference in the gender. It is
considered as the biggest problem that gives rise to variety of problems at workplace which
hampers the functionality as well as profitability of the company in negative manner. Some of
the common issues that are identified as the main one which develops due to gender pay gap are
increase in employee turnover, decline in productivity of employees, delay in attainment of
organisational goals and objectives etc. Constant increase in employee turnover mainly occurs
due to gender pay. This is because, when employees at workplace feels discriminated they
prefers to leave the company instead of being discriminated due to their gender (Hebl and Avery,
2012). This ultimately influence employees especially females to switch the company and join