An investigation of the impact of “Equality act 2010” in protecting employees from workplace discrimination

Table of Contents
Research Topic:...............................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
1.1 - Rationale........................................................................................................................3
1.2 – Significance...................................................................................................................3
1.3 - Research Aim:................................................................................................................4
1.4 - Objectives:......................................................................................................................4
1.5 – Research Questions.......................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................4
2.1 - What do you understand by impact of Equality Act 2010 on organisations?................4
2.2 - Determine the effect of Discrimination on workplace motivation at Sports Direct
Limited?..................................................................................................................................5
2.3 - What can be major impact of gender discrimination on organisations like Sports Direct?6
2.4 - Asses the present practises & strategies that can help in solving issues of workplace
discrimination in Sports direct?..............................................................................................7
Chapter 3 : Methodology.................................................................................................................9
3.0 Research philosophies: ..................................................................................................10
3.1 Research Approaches: ...................................................................................................10
3.2 Research Methods and techniques:................................................................................11
3.3 Research Instruments: ...................................................................................................11
3.4 Sampling methods: .......................................................................................................11
3.5 Ethical Issues: ................................................................................................................12
3.6 Data Analysis and Interpretation: ..................................................................................13
Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion..............................................................................................13
Data analysis ........................................................................................................................13
Research finding...................................................................................................................19
Merits, limitation and pitfalls...............................................................................................19
Chapter 5: Conclusion, Recommendation and reflection..............................................................19
5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................19
5.2 Reflection.......................................................................................................................20

5.3 Recommendation............................................................................................................20
REFERNCES.................................................................................................................................22
Appendix........................................................................................................................................24
Research Topic:
Workplace discrimination
Research Title: An investigation of the impact of “Equality act 2010” in protecting employees
from any types of workplace discrimination, A case study on Sports Direct in Shirebrook,
Mansfield United Kingdom.

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 - Rationale
Equality & Diversity is very important concept that is part of every organization. It is related to
way organisation are being managed and functions being performed. There are certain key
aspects that are part of the process of Equality and Diversity policies that is related to paying
equal wages to men & women, effective policies are required to provide equal treatment to all
employees irrespective of their caste, gender, background, colour. This concept is also very
helpful in maintain of stability across economic system globally (Ahmed, Jimenez-Jimenez, and
Martínez-Costa, 2013). Present research report is based on Sports Direct plc that is a British
retail organisation and is one UK's largest sports retail having 670 stores across different parts of
world. The research is related to exploring in depth procedures and policies of workplace
discrimination that are part of retail sector organisations. In the initial part there is collection of
information from secondary sources and further is use of primary research to collect required
information in order to achieve objectives of the research.
1.2 – Significance
Discrimination at workplace exists when all the employees are not treated fairly or equally and
there are some discriminatory policies that can be based on gender, skin, colour, religion, race or
any other such related attribute. It is very necessary for organisation to avoid the situations of
discriminating among their employees as there are lot of negative outcomes that have an
association with discriminatory workplace policies like negative impact on organisations overall
brand image, lower employee morale, loss of productivity, low staff morale and others. When
there will be fairness and a fight against discrimination then employees will be more satisfied.
Present research work is aimed to develop a understanding of various factors that can affect the
discriminatory policies at workplace with instance to Sports Direct (Annanperä, Liukkunen and
Markkula, 2016). There is a need to understand the factors that are having association with
discriminatory practises in the organisation. Present research work will also provide different
insights that can be helpful for legislators & industry regulators for improvement of employees
conditions.

1.3 - Research Aim:
The aim of this project is “To determine the role of “Equality act 2010” in protecting
employees from any types of workplace discrimination”. A study on Sports Direct in Shirebrook,
Mansfield.
1.4 - Objectives:
 To identify the impact of Equality act 2010 at the workplace of Sports Direct
 To determine the impact of Discrimination on workplace motivation at Sports Direct
Limited.
 To determine the impact of gender discrimination on workplace atmosphere in Sports
Direct.
 To assess the current practices and propose strategies that can improve the issue of
Discrimination in the workplace of Sports Direct.
1.5 – Research Questions
 What do you understand by impact of Equality Act 2010 on organisations?
 Determine the effect of Discrimination on workplace motivation at Sports Direct
Limited?
 What can be major impact of gender discrimination on organisations like Sports Direct?
 Asses the present practises & strategies that can help in solving issues of workplace
discrimination in Sports direct?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 - What do you understand by impact of Equality Act 2010 on organisations?
According to William, equality plays vital role in business and environment as it develops
positive relationship between the society and people. In business sector, it has become crucial to
treat everyone equally so that work is being carried out effectively. The main purpose of equality
is to manage and maintain coordination so that problems or errors do not occur in near future. In
reference with Sports Direct, it is essential for management to give bonuses & incentives equally
to their employees for their services. In order to achieve goals and objectives, it is crucial for
them to follow the eliminate and reduce the discrimination at workplace so that personnel are
able to work in most efficient way. The impact of equality act 2010 has been affected the
organisational structure as because it has been revealed that female staff at company earns 6.2

per cent less than men (Sports Direct unveils 6.3% gender pay gap, 2018). By properly not
following equality act 2010, they were getting affected by the act at broader level because most
of the female workers were leaving and there employment turnover ratio was also increasing.
This therefore it has an impact on morale, internal relationships & ability of staff to deliver
products and customer services. According to their gender pay gap report, mean & median,
proportion of men and women in each quartile was mentioned that female are being paid less.
The chosen company need to change their policy and should pay every employee equally without
doing any discrimination. Also, impact of act is affecting the work culture, personal
relationships of colleagues at deeper level. The given act also force selected firm to make the
changes in management so that situations which gives chances to discrimination are avoided.
Moreover, the equality act 2010 also effects the employee motivation, morale, value at depth.
Thus, it is duty of manager to make ensures that everything is being done under government
rules as well as regulations. The concept of equality is crucial through which many problems and
issues can be solved within the management. This has been analysed that subordinates focus on
more on work culture rather than salary. Furthermore, adoption of this act allows organisation to
increase and enhance productivity (Enigmas of the Equality Act 2010—“Three uneasy pieces”,
2015). Moreover, the board members of enterprise are also all male, there is no female worker
with superior position. This reflects their values, ethics & work culture of entity. By supporting
equal opportunities, companies can demonstrate an active commitment to providing fairness and
embracing diversity. It allows every individual to feel like they have an opportunity and are able
to perform their daily ongoing activities without any restrictions or discriminations (Bell and
Harrison, 2018). Therefore, such tactics will increase goodwill of firm at larger scale and also
increases the sustainability period of an employee. So, by giving equal chance and importance to
everyone entity will be able to enhance the brand value at marketplace.
2.2 - Determine the effect of Discrimination on workplace motivation at Sports Direct
Limited?
As per the views of Tia Benjamin (2020), it has been determined that discrimination practices
will lead to have major impact on motivation of employees to work effectively and efficiently.
There are number of drawback or issues which is faced by due to effective discrimination at
workplace (The Ways Discrimination Negatively Affects Businesses, 2020). It is essential for
Sports direct limited company to analyse and evaluate the impact of discrimination on

organisation as well as motivation of employees to correctly perform business task. Different
major impact of effect of discrimination on respective company is mention below in detail. Decrease in job satisfaction – Due to discrimination practices in organisation s job
satisfaction level of employees will be decrease (Brown, 2013). Workplace
discrimination will lead to increase in bias in organisation and decision will not be taken
fairly or equality. This will lead to demotivate employees and their level of satisfaction to
work with Sports Direct will be decrease. Negative working environment – Discrimination at workplace will lead to have direct
impact on working environment of organisation. Because of this employees will not be
motivated to work correctly in organisation. Negative working environment will lead to
have increase in conflicts or issues which have have direct impact on productivity and
performance of organisation. Capability to perform task – The effect of discrimination will have direct on capabilities
of employees to effectively and efficiently conduct organisational task as well as attain
goals of organisation. This will lead to lack of motivation in organisation as
discrimination practices will lead to reduce the capabilities of employees to use their full
skills for performing organisational practices.
 Commitments or loyalty of employees – Employees will not be fully committed to their
job role as well as task. Discrimination practices will reduce the loyalty of employees for
performing business task as well as accomplishment of attaining goals (Evans and
Johnson, 2013). Employees will be demotivate and do not take full responsibility for their
job role commitments.
2.3 - What can be major impact of gender discrimination on organisations like Sports
Direct?
According to the views of Kimberlee Leonard (2020), It has been analysed the there are number
of effect of gender discrimination at workplace like Sports Direct. This is well known company
which have large number of staff and its is important that this company is provide fair and equal
opportunities to employees irrespective to their gender. Discrimination practices in organisation
due to gender will lead to negatively affect organisation as well as its image in market area (The
Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace, 2020). Employees productivity and