Managing a Successful Business Project

Unit 6 - Managing a Successful Business Project 1 Contents TASK 1-LO1 .1 TOPIC 1 Title: .1 INTRODUCTION .1 Background 1 Aim 1 Objectives1 Research questions .2 Rationale 2 Project management plan.2 Appropriate research methodologies applied3 Work break down structure .3 Gantt chart .4 TASK 2- LO2 4 Small scale research for gathering data 4 TASK 3-LO3 .5 KEY FINDINGS.5 RECOMMENDATIONS .5 CONCLUSION 5 TAS

Unit 6 - Managing a Successful
Business Project
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Contents
TASK 1-LO1...................................................................................................................................1
TOPIC..............................................................................................................................................1
Title:.............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background..................................................................................................................................1
Aim..............................................................................................................................................1
Objectives....................................................................................................................................1
Research questions.......................................................................................................................2
Rationale......................................................................................................................................2
Project management plan.............................................................................................................2
Appropriate research methodologies applied..............................................................................3
Work break down structure.........................................................................................................3
Gantt chart...................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2- LO2..................................................................................................................................4
Small scale research for gathering data......................................................................................4
TASK 3-LO3...................................................................................................................................5
KEY FINDINGS.........................................................................................................................5
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
TASK 4-LO4...................................................................................................................................6
Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support
sustainable organisational performance.......................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
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TASK 1-LO1
TOPIC
Title:
To enhance employee retention by lowering down sexual harassment in the organization: A
study of Primark.
INTRODUCTION
Workplace discrimination means that biasness exists in the organisation and there can be
various reasons behind it. This can be because of gender pay gaps, religion, culture, belief,
harassment. All these cases can increase the employee turnover and organisation may not be able
to retain workers. Equality must be exists in the firm so that loyalty can be increased and also
workers will not be able to leave the organisation. This will assist them in making sure that
employees are fully engaged in company. It will also allow enterprise in achieving their set target
as well as mission. It will also assist company in growing and achieving the objectives. Present
report will lay emphasis on the aims and objectives selected by the firms in order to reduce the
case of sexual harassment. Assignment will also carry out small research on the basis of it better
decisions will be taken by researcher.
Background
Primark is an Irish fast fashion retailer with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and a
subsidiary of the British food processing and retail company ABF. The company is been
headquartered in London United Kingdom. It has been analysed in the recent time workers are
leaving the firm because of the cases related to sexual harassment (Avendaño, 2018). This has
lower down brand reputation of company and also because of this they are not been able to retain
workers. Organisation is thinking of implementing the strategies and policies so that sexual
harassment can be lower down and also this will assist them in improving the business
performance.
Aim
To enhance employee retention by lowering down sexual harassment in the organization. A case
study on Primark.
Objectives
 To analyse the concept of sexual harassment
 To evaluate the impact of sexual harassment in Primark
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 To analyse the ways to retain employees by reducing down the sexual harassment
Research questions
 What is the concept of sexual harassment
 What are the impact of sexual harassment in Primark
 What are the ways to retain employees by reducing down the sexual harassment
Rationale
The main reason for carrying out this research is to lower down the cases of sexual
harassment so that firm can be able to retain workers. This is being done to increase the brand
reputation as well as value of company. This will also assist them in enhancing brand value and
reputation. It has also been analysed that sexual harassment in company is also making them
incapable to attract talented and skilled employees as no worker wants to work in this type of
company. So this is the main reason for carrying out this research. It will assist them in lowering
down the cases of sexual harassment and also it will assist organisation in retaining workers
(Cassino and Besen‐Cassino, 2019).
Project management plan
Company will be engaged in making the project management plan so that planning and
scheduling can be done right. This will assist firm in making sure that project aims and mission
is been achieved. It is really necessary to frame this plan so that issues which can be faced by
organisation can be in future.
 Cost: Primark has decided the cost of the project which is €500 and they have made sure
that every strategy which has been implemented by them is within the budget set up by
them. Company is engaged in doing planning according to it.
 Quality: Company is making sure that they are engaged in making use of high quality
tools and techniques so that aims and goals can be achieved. This will also assist them in
making sure that better policies are been design by them to retain workers (Sangwan and
Thakre, 2018).
 Change: Various change management strategies will also be implemented by company.
In this Primark will be engaged in making sure that a better and flexible environment is
been provided to workers
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 Risk: There are various risk which is been involved in this type of process, there are
chances that organization is unable to manage the human resources and some of them are
still doing same type of practices.
 Issues: Various issues can be faced by Primark while implementing the changes in
policies, so appropriate measures needs to be taken by them
 Deliverables: In this the project scope statement will be made by organization, so that
they can make employees know about the importance of project.
 Communication: Effective communication will be used by managers of company so that
no miss-understanding and conflict related to work exists.
 Resources: Company will make sure that there is effective utilization of resources, this
will allow them in working within budget.
Appropriate research methodologies applied
 Data collection: Primary method of data collection will be used for present research. In
this researcher will make use of questionnaire.
 Research type: The research will be qualitative in nature, this is because it will allow
researcher to gain in depth knowledge related to subject matter.
 Data analysis: Thematic analysis will be used as the research is qualitative in nature and
it will allow researcher to test the hypothesis (SION, 2018).
 Sample: The size of the sample will be 30 and simple random sampling will be selected
for the study so that no biasness exists.
 Research approach: Inductive approach will be used for the present research, this will
assist researcher in making sure that better data is been gathered.
Work break down structure
Work break down structure is the project management tools and techniques which is
basically been used by organisation so that work can be divided into small parts. This will assist
organisation in making sure that the goals and objectives related to research is been achieved. It
allows firm to also segregate the responsibilities so that no miss-understanding exists (Cortina
and Areguin, 2020).
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Gantt chart
Project task Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week
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Planning
related to
project
Recruitment of
team
Review of
Literature
Session of
training
Implementation
Evaluation of
performance
TASK 2- LO2
Small scale research for gathering data
Q-1 What type of sexual harassment occurred at work place?
Unwanted touching
Stalking
Obscene image
Gestures
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Lustful staring
Q-2 What did you do when anyone doing sexual harassment?
Kept quiet
Reported to HR
Told to colleague
Told of manager
Q-3 Is there a specific process to report sexual harassment in Primark or not?
Yes
No
Q-4 What strategy is being followed by company in reducing sexual harassment?
Strict action
Suspension of person
Giving warning
Q-5 Do you think a policy is enough for maintaining equality and diversity?
Yes
No
Not sure
Q-6 What other practices can be implement to solve issue of sexual harassment?
Providing training
Collecting employee feedback
Doing inspection
Q-7 Does HR take any action if sexual harassment issue is being reported?
Yes
No
Not sure
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Q-8 What is the impact of sexual harassment on Primark culture?
Employee performance is reduced
Negative environment
Low retention
Theme 1 Type of sexual harassment occurred at work place
Q-1 What type of sexual harassment occurred at work place? Frequency
Unwanted touching 2
Stalking 6
Obscene image 5
Gestures 8
Lustful staring 9
Total 30
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Interpretation – it can be analysed from table that out of 30 employees 9 said that lustful
staring is sexually harassment occur at Primark. 8 said gestures, 5 said obscene image and 6 said
stalking. So, it is stated that staff star at others in a lustful way and also do some gestures which
result in harassment. Besides that, employees also do stalk and then pass some gestures. So,
these are type of harassment occur at workplace.
Theme 2 you do when you found anyone doing sexual harassment
Q-2 What did you do when anyone doing sexual harassment? Frequency
Kept quiet 5
Reported to HR 10
Told colleague 8
Told manager 7
Total 30
Interpretation- here, in study conducted at Primark the primary data of 30 staff was taken. By
evaluating data it was identified that 5 said they keep quiet when found any sexual harassment.
10 said they report to HR, 8 said they told colleague and 7 said they told manager. Thus, it is
analysed that in most cases they report to HR. besides that, staff also report to manager as well.
thus, it clearly shows that issues are reported immediately to authorized authority.
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Theme 3 specific process to report sexual harassment in Primark
Q-3 Is there a specific process to report sexual harassment in Primark or
not?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 10
Total 30
Interpretation- from table it is stated that out of 30 participants, 20 said that there is specific
process to report sexual harassment in Primark. whereas 10 said no. therefore, it is evaluated
that in company all guidelines and laws are followed in reporting harassment. So, employees
are aware about what to do in such case. There is procedure developed by Primark to report
such issues.
Theme -4 strategy followed by company in reducing sexual harassment
Q-4 What strategy is being followed by company in reducing sexual
harassment?
Frequency
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Strict action 21
Suspension of person 5
Giving warning 4
Total 30
Interpretation – here, by interpreting table it is said that 21 said that strict action is taken
against the person who is involved in sexual harassment. 5 said that person is suspended and 4
said that warning is given. Thus, Primark is highly concerned about such issues and try to
reduce by taking strict action. In that legal action is taken and high fine is imposed.
Theme -5 a policy is enough for maintaining equality and diversity
Q-5 Do you think a policy is enough for maintaining equality and
diversity?
Frequency
Yes 5
No 23
Not sure 2
Total 30
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Interpretation- the scholar did a study in Primark to find out current issue of sexual harassment
in equality and diversity. Here, 30 sample size was taken. By analyzing data it is found that 23
said no that a policy is not enough to maintain quality and diversity. 5 said yes and 2 were not
sure. Thus, it requires other practices to be included as well. because policy only contains
guidelines and laws.
Theme -6 other practices can be implement to solve issue of sexual harassment
Q 6 What other practices can be implement to solve issue of sexual
harassment?
Frequency
Providing training 10
Collecting employee feedback 10
Doing inspection 10
Total 30
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Interpretation- from graph it is found that out of 30 respondents, 10 said that training can be
given to solve issue and maintain diversity, 10 said that employee feedback can be taken and 10
said that inspection can be done for it. thus, these all will help in creating awareness among
staff regarding diversity and they will follow laws and guidelines as well. moreover, issues will
be reported in easier way and action is taken
Theme -7 HR take any action if sexual harassment issue is being reported
Q-7 Does HR take any action if sexual harassment issue is being
reported?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 5
Not sure 5
Total 30
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Interpretation- the table shows that out of 30, 20 employees said that HR take action if sexual
harassment issue is reported to them. 5 said no and 5 was not sure about it. here, HR gives
warning to staff by discussing entire issue. Besides that, they provide support as well to staff
in solving the issue. So, Primark HR is highly engaged in this.
Theme – 8 impact of sexual harassment on Primark culture
Q-8 What is the impact of sexual harassment on Primark culture? Frequency
Employee performance is reduced 8
Negative environment 15
Low retention 7
Total 30
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Interpretation- it can be evaluated from table that 8 staff said that employee performance is
reduced is sexual harassment occurs in Primark. 15 said that negative environment is created
and 7 said low retention. So, there is negative impact on culture and it also led to affecting
employee performance. when culture is affected it results in decrease in overall productivity of
firm.
TASK 3-LO3
KEY FINDINGS
It can be said that on the basis of above study that sexual harassment has several negative
impacts. From literature reviews it is found that sexual harassment at workplace it increases
stress in employees and leads to mental illness. It lowers their confidence and they find problems
in concentrating on their work. Due to lack of concentration, it increases errors in work that leads
to poor performance and productivity and increased staff turnover. So, overall it can be said that
sexual harassment and discrimination has several negative impacts (Salman, Abdullah and
Saleem, 2016).
In regards to strategies of reducing sexual harassment as well as increasing staff retention
rate it is found that implementation of policy like anti discrimination can allow companies in
promoting diversity. If employees do not abide rules of these acts then they can be fined and it
can improve working environment. It is also found from literature that rewards and performance
appraisal can help companies in increasing staff retention rate (Jacobson and Eaton, 2018).
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Leadership styles also play a vital role as it leads employees and makes employees aware about
reasons of treating with all employees in a fair manner.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On the basis of above study it can be said that sexual harassment has several negative
impacts on overall performance and productivity of the company and employees. It is found that
Primark makes use of some strategies by which they can increase staff retention rate and can
reduce sexual harassment. There are some areas in which it is lacking behind so, in this regard it
can be recommended to companies and hotels that they should focus on providing training to
employees. When employers give training to employees then it makes employees aware and they
know the different between the right and the wrong. This ability of understanding what is right
and what is wrong; that they increase from training can make an effective working environment.
It can also be suggested to companies that they should focus on implementing open door policy
as it allows employees to meet with managers and leaders and get immediate actions against
sexual harassment, happened with them at workplace.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that retention of employees play a vital role as
it improves image of companies in the market. It has discussed several reasons that increases
staff turnover rate and one of the main reasons is sexual harassment and discrimination at
workplace. Sexual harassment has several negative impacts on employees and performance of
organization. It has discussed all negative impacts that discrimination at hotel and sexual
harassment can have such as: it lowers morale of employees; it has negative mental impacts and
overall performance of the company. Further, it has shown strategies or ways by which company
can increase staff retention rate by reducing sexual harassment such as implementation of
policies at workplace, promoting diversity and providing training to employees. Lastly, it will
discuss effectiveness of collecting data and following all elements of research methodology in
conducting research.
TASK 4-LO4
Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable
organisational performance.
I have learnt so many aspects from the present research. My performance related to making
of research project is been improved by carrying out the present research. I was engaged in
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collecting the data by making participants fill the questionnaire. It was really difficult for me as
this was the first time I was engaged in doing primary research. My seniors has supported me a
lot and this has helped me in completing down my research. I have made use of so many
research methods so that the aims and objectives set by me related to project can be achieved. I
have also been able to know the reason behind why organization is been engaged in
implementing the workplace discrimination. I hope my research brings changing in the working
patterns of company. I have also analysed my strength and weakness while conducting down the
research. This has assisted me in enhancing my abilities and now I feel like I will be able to
achieve my professional career goals. I have also made use of project planning and evaluation
documents. In this I have made sure that the planning related to project is of ultimate quality and
also I have defined the cost for the project. This was been done by me so that project does not get
delayed, it will also help me in making sure that better strategies and policies are been
implemented in company. I have also analysed about my strength and weakness while working
on this research project. I have also analysed that I could have used different methods for
collecting the primary data. I could have made use of survey monkey as during the lockdown it
was really difficult to collect the primary data. I could have made use of other methods such as
quantitative by this I could have also been able to do statistical analysis. This would have
assisted me in improving the quality of work which I have done. I have also evaluated that my
performance would have been better if I have made use of these methods. I could have also been
engaged in making use of secondary data so that no issues would have been faced by in
collecting the data during the time of lockdown. This would have assisted me in achieving the set
target and also I would have been able to achieve my professional career goals and objectives.
My I could have also developed the action plan so that my set target and mission can be
achieved. This would have helped me in enhancing my performance.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Jacobson, R.K. and Eaton, A.A., 2018. How organizational policies influence bystander
likelihood of reporting moderate and severe sexual harassment at work. Employee
Responsibilities and Rights Journal. 30(1). pp.37-62.
Salman, M., Abdullah, F. and Saleem, A., 2016. Sexual harassment at workplace and its impact
on employee turnover intentions. Business & Economic Review. 8(1). pp.87-102.
Cortina, L.M. and Areguin, M.A., 2020. Putting People Down and Pushing Them Out: Sexual
Harassment in the Workplace. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and
Organizational Behavior, 8.
Cassino, D. and Besen‐Cassino, Y., 2019. Race, threat and workplace sexual harassment: The
dynamics of harassment in the United States, 1997–2016. Gender, Work &
Organization, 26(9), pp.1221-1240.
Sangwan, D. and Thakre, A., 2018. Sexual Harassment at the Workplace in Public and Private
Sectors in India: A Study at National Capital Region of Delhi 1. International Journal
of Criminal Justice Sciences, 13(1), p.29.
Avendaño, A., 2018. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Where Were the Unions?. Labor
Studies Journal, 43(4), pp.245-262.
SION, G., 2018. The psychodynamics of sexual harassment and gendered inequality in the
workplace. An empirical investigation. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social
Justice, 10(2), pp.93-99.
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