Impact of Workplace Discrimination on Employee Morale and Performance

This research project explores the impact of workplace discrimination on employee morale and performance. It aims to analyze the influence of workplace discrimination within the company, determine the reasons behind arising workplace discrimination among employees, recommend strategies to eliminate workplace discrimination, and examine various performance measure techniques and practices used by employers. The study focuses on H&M.

Unit Number and Title Unit 11 – Research Project
Project Title Research Project
Learners Declaration: I certify that the work submitted for this unit is
my own and the research sources are fully acknowledged.
Learners Signature:
Date:
Academic Misconduct:
Any act of Academic Misconduct will be seriously dealt with according to the
College’s and awarding bodies’ regulations.
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: Verbatim (word
for word) quotation without clear acknowledgement, cutting and pasting from the
Internet without clear acknowledgement, collusion, inaccurate citation and failure to
acknowledge assistance.
Plagiarism is presenting someone’s work as your own. It includes copying information
directly from the web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint
coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing
coursework from another student and submitting it as your own work. Suspected

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Impact of Workplace discrimination on the employee morale and performance.
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 Aim
“To determine the impact of workplace discrimination over the employees performance.”
A study on H&M.
Research objectives
 To analyse the influence of workplace discrimination within the company.
 To determine the reason behind arising workplace discrimination among employees.
 To recommend better strategies to eliminate workplace discrimination.
 To examine various kinds of performance measure techniques and practices used by
employers.
Research questions
 What is the influence of workplace discrimination within the company?
 What are the reason behind arising workplace discrimination among employees?
 What are better strategies to eliminate workplace discrimination?
 What are various kinds of performance measure techniques and practices used by
employers?
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 reason to selecting workplace discrimination topic is that it provides the basic
understanding about the concept areas and also the issues arise at workplace. Through
conducting an investigation, skills and knowledge of a researcher will be enhanced and it
can able to conduct any research in future context.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Influence of workplace discrimination within the company.
As per opinion of Jill Harness (2020) Discrimination is known as prejudicial
treatment within the workplace that may effect hiring, promotions, firing, job assignments
and lay-offs. It is totally based on individual age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, race
and national origins. Discrimination on the basis of such factors in H&M may lead to
number of consequences and may effect mental health of their employees. An employee
who has been discriminated against may be prone to develop anxiety levels, depression and
outburst. Workplace discrimination is basically a sort of harassment which leads to increase
in conflicts within the work environment. Focus of the employees shifts from job
responsibilities to other factors in the office. With the occurrence of conflicts, productivity
of respective organisation will diminish.
Reason behind arising workplace discrimination among employees.
As per opinion of Amie Comeau (2020), There may be number of causes for
discrimination between staff members within the workplace. Some of the most common
causes for the discrimination that occurs within respective organisation are discussed here.
Age Discrimination-
It is the most common cause of discrimination which takes place in the workplace.
Employers generally discriminate between staff members based on age during hiring,
termination and with pay modifications.
Disability discrimination-
Despite of various laws, candidates with disability face discrimination with the work
environment. Employees with disabilities are treated in an unfair way, have been denied for

providing any accommodation and has been harassed due to disabilities.
Racial discrimination-
Employees are being treated unfairly due to their race and caste and being harassed
also.
Strategies to eliminate workplace discrimination.
On the basis of Joanna Weekes (2020), It is important to eliminate workplace
discrimination in order to enhance productivity and to treat each and every staff member
equally. Some of the strategies are discussed here.
Write down the policy-
It is the first step towards reducing the discrimination. H&M should have a specif
handbooks for employees which includes benefits such as benefits eligibity, holidays and
guidelines for issues like discrimination.
Set a complaint protocol-
Respective organisation must set a protocol for the employees which needs t be
follow by them if they want to file a complaint. It would be start by advising a HR manger
or a team manager. Protocol needs to focus on how such discrimination complains will be
handled by investigating the issue.
To examine various kinds of performance measure techniques and practices used by
employers.
As per opinion of Ruth Mayhew (2020) Performance management is most crucial
part within the workplace as it offers a platform for employers to measure performance of
staff members and determine if they meeting the actual criteria. Graphic rating scales are
the ideal measurement for production oriented organisation. Rating scales consist of job
responsibilities, performance standards as well as a scale which consist of one to five
rankings for performance of employees. It is a quick method. Another important technique
is to develop employee performance standards. It defines what an employee needs to take to
meet and enhance expectations of company. It help the employers to analyse the weak and
strong areas of the employees.

Section Four: Activities and timescales
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):
How long this will
take:
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:
Research methodology is related to the techniques which mainly helps in collecting and
analysing data in significant way.
Research Philosophies
Interpretivism and positivism are two different philosophies. In conducting present report,
interpretivism research philosophy will be used because this helps in examine the opinions
of various investigators regarding specific area.
Research Approaches
Research approaches are inductive and deductive. The inductive approach will be used
because this is based on qualitative method and gives the detailed information regarding
specific area.
Research Strategies
It defined way to conduct an investigation in significant manner. There are different
strategies such as questionnaire, interviews and many others. Under this, investigator will
use the surveys questionnaire strategy because through this it is easy to collect data.
Research Choice
This research layer assist in combine quantitative and qualitative research choice. There
will be quantitative method used because it gives theoretical knowledge.
Time horizon
This is concerned with time period for finishing an investigation in significant manner.
Longitudinal and cross sectional are two different time horizon methods. Under present

investigation, cross-sectional will be used because this helps in completing an investigation
within specified time period.
Data collection and analysis
Primary and secondary are two different data gathering methods. Primary method will
mainly used to collecting the information through developing questionnaire. To analyse
information, thematic analysis will be used and in this graphs and themes will be created.
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: Impact of Workplace discrimination on the employee morale and
performance.
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
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)?
Participants will be recruit through interview.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what
you are doing:
Investigator will use email to inform participants.
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?
By using email, consent will be obtain from chosen participants and this will be in written
form.
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?
An investigator will access personal information and data.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in personal computer and hardware.
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?
The data will be stored in personal computer.

How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
The data will be stored for 2 to 5 years in word format.
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.

2