Investigating COVID-19 Impact on Aramark's Talent Management

This research project investigates the impact of COVID-19 on talent management practices within the hospitality sector, specifically focusing on Aramark, a hospitality business operating in London, UK. The report explores the pandemic's effects on retraining and development, staff retention strategies, and overall talent management. It begins with an introduction outlining the research aim and objectives, which include analyzing academic literature, assessing retraining and development practices, and providing recommendations for Aramark. The literature review delves into the impact of health crises on the hospitality industry, and examines the retraining and development practices, and the retention practices implemented by Aramark. The methodology section details the research philosophy (interpretivism), approach (deductive), design, data collection methods (primary and secondary), sampling method (random), and ethical considerations. Findings and analysis are presented, followed by conclusions and recommendations. The report also includes a reflection on alternative methodologies and provides a Gantt chart and cost analysis for the research project.

Research Project

Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................4
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...............................................................................5
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS.....................................................................................8
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.......................................................12
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTION AND ALTERNATIVE METHODOLOGY.................................13
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................15

sTitle: To investigate the impact of COVID 19 on talent management activities in
hospitality sector at Aramark restaurant, London, UK.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of research
As per current scenario, almost entire nation is facing the major health issue which is
known as COVID-19. This type of crisis directly impacts over the organizational activities in
negative way. In this situation, it is important for business to effectively manage their talent
so that each and every activity can be successfully completed. In this regard, hospitality
industry is also affected due to pandemic situation of COVID-19 as no one able to move one
place to another place. In order to improve performance, proper management of workforce is
crucial as it provide support in handling all activities and at the same time also tries to sustain
in market place along (Stokes and et. Al., 2020). For attaining the same company can use re-
training and development activities so that workers can improve their effectiveness at
working area and give their best efforts. With the assistance of this, company can serve
quality services to its customers by understanding their actual needs and wants. Current
research is based on the Aramark, is a hospitality business organization that operate their
operational activities in London with the aim of attaining competitive success at market place
in the pandemic situation of COVID-19. In this type of situation, company focus on
managing their talent by providing them better training and development activities. This
investigation is based on research aims and objectives.
1.2 Research aim:
To examine impact of the COVID 19 on talent management practices such as re-
training and development as well as staff retention at Aramark.
1.3 Research objectives:
• To analyse the academic literature for determining the impact of health issues on
the hospitality industry.
• To assess re-training and development practices in light of COVID 19 conducted
by Aramark.
• To assess retention practices and re-training and development practices
implemented by Aramark.
• To provide recommendations to Aramark for improving their talent retention in
the situation of COVID 19.

1.4 Rationale of research
The reason of developing report is determining impact of the COVID 19 which is
experienced by every person around the world, the respective report is include information
about the impact of COVID 19 on the different human resource practices like staff retention
as well re-training and development that is conducted by a company for talent management.
The respective report will include impact of the health issues on the hospitality sector; this
will also include information related to re-training and development practices done at
workplace for talent manager. Moreover, it also provides information related to relationship
among the training and development practices as well as talent management so that
researcher can develop effective strategies as well as plan for firm so that they attain their
desire goal and outcome.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
It is one of the important section of undertaking investigation activities as it provides
theoretical framework in which researcher can easily take right decision and at the same time
also draw a valid conclusion at the end of the investigation. Mainly, it includes studies that is
already completed by others and provide depth analysis on the basis of research topic. With
the assistance of this, researcher can analysis the detailed evaluation and at the same time also
contributes in improving the chances of attaining positive outcomes. This section is based on
the specified research objectives in order to address the specific research problem.
2.1 What is the academic literature for determining the impact of health issues on the
hospitality industry?
According to the view point of Mensah, 2020, in current time almost every nation is
going through major health issues which is COVID 19 and due to it there is impact on the all
industries including hospitality, banking, building, travelling or tourism, agriculture, retail
and many more. Along with this one of the main impact of COVID 19 situation take place on
the hospitality industry because due to it no one able to move from one place to another as
well as their is also huge decrease in the nation economy. Due to this purchasing or
expensing power get decreased.
2.2 What are the re-training and development practice in light of COVID 19 conducted by
Aramark?
According to the perspective of Kelly Creighton, 2018, there are several re-training
and development practices which a company may adopt at their workplace for the talent
management. In respect of Aramark they may adopt strategies and plans like develop training

and development practices according to candidate requirement as well as their must be
creation of SMART objective which every candidate need to attain who are conducting
training and development programs.
2.3 What are the retention practices and re-training and development practices implemented
by Aramark?
As per the view point of Atif Anis and et. al., 2010, there is relationship between the
re-training and development practices as well as talent retention activities. It is so because
through re-training and development practices a company able to motivate their staffs which
leads to retention of employees for the long time duration at the workplace. Moreover, it will
also help a firm in attaining their desire goal as well as objective in successful manner.
Moreover, there are several practices which respective company may adopt such as provide
reward, conduct appraisal, motivate, and provide training and so on.
2.4 What are the recommendations to Aramark for improving their talent retention in the
situation of COVID 19?
According to the view point of Ken Taylor (2020) Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in
order to manage situation of COVID 19 Armark need to develop a proper policy and rules
according to which they need to consider whole guidelines provided by government which
will include every staffs need to wear mask, carry sanitizer, there must be proper sanitization
of store and many more.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Philosophy
It is considered as belief of an individual that encourage and aid them in conducting
analysis and evaluation of gathered information according to a specific pattern as that will
help in attaining predetermined goal as well as objective successfully. There are generally
two kinds of research philosophy from which researcher select one for conducting their
research project in the effective manner i.e. interpretivism as well as positivism. In order to
conduct respective research project manager, adopt interpretivism because by it researcher
able to collect more appropriate as well as authenticate information which help them in
achieving desire goal or outcome successfully. In addition to this, it will also provide
opportunity to researcher to evaluate different author’s perspective in effective manner.
3.2 Research approach
It is determined as strategy or plan that is generally developed by the help of
information which are gathered by researcher as well as by considering different methods of

research. It is mainly divided into major two segments i.e. inductive as well as deductive;
from both the approach researcher select one according to their requirement for
accomplishment of project successfully. In context of respective project of research, project
manager is adopting deductive research approach as through that they able to attain desire
goal as well as outcome. In addition to this it will also provide opportunity to gather more
authenticate and reliable information according to the research topic and theme.
3.3 Research Design
This is determined as design of research according to which project manager conduct
their work or research activities. The research design will include several aspects such as
research objective, research aim, research question, problems incurred in it, type, sub type,
dependents of research and many other aspects. In respect of this research project manager
adopt different aspects which help them in conducting research properly for the attainment of
desire goal as well as objective such as experiment, descriptive, meta analytic and many
more. in addition to this respective research investigator used research design as that will help
them in presenting data or information related to report in effective as well as impressive
manner.
3.4 Data collection methods
It is determined as the method which is adopted by a researcher for gathering
information or data related to the project topic, aim and objectives. A researcher may adopt
two kinds of data collection methods for gathering appropriate information i.e. primary data
which is first hand collected information as well as another is secondary methods which is
second or existing information. In respect of respective research project manager will adopt
both primary as well as secondary method of data collection. In context of primary method of
data collect researcher develop interview and get it complete by employees of firm. On the
other hand, in secondary method of data collection researcher will gather information from
online and offline books, articles, newspaper and many more. it is so because through it they
able to gather more authenticate as well as reliable information which leads to attainment of
desire goal as well as objective successfully.
3.5 Sampling methods
It is considered as technique according to which researcher select feasible size for the
sample from the whole population. It is so because while gathering information a project
manager not able to provide equal chance to each and every person of the whole population.
So in order to avoid these issues they select a sample size and then gather information from

them. There are different types of sampling method which a researcher may adopt for
gathering information or data related to research project. In respect of respective research,
project manager used random sampling method because according to this method they able to
provide equal opportunity to each and every audience. In addition to this sample size selected
by respective project researcher is 4 audiences. It is considered as appropriate number of
respondent for a research because it is not too less nor too many in numbers, so researcher
can conduct analysis in effective manner.
3.6 Ethical issues
It is considered as issues or problems which generally take place while conducting
research project, so in order to avoid these challenges a project manager need to develop
strategies and plan by considering each and every ethical consideration successfully and
effectively. In respect of respective research project manager go through several ethical
issues so in order to avoid as well as handle those issues researcher need to conduct several
practices such as they need to considered only legal source of information, they must not do
discrimination, not try illegal ways to gather information and many more. It is so because
through that they able to get ensure that all the activities are conducted proper as well as in
the ethical manner. Through which they can attain desire goal as well as objective in
successful manner.
Gantt Chart
It is determined as outline or graphical portrayal of the timetables which is identified
with the examination project or research just as it will likewise incorporate errand which is
important to embrace by specialist for assemble data in the successful way. Through this
individual exploration venture supervisor ready to decide time this is required for achieving
venture in compelling just as suitable way. As indicated by which project manager ready to
create choice just as plans for accomplishing want result effectively. In respect of respective
research project manager develop Gantt chart so that they can estimate time for each and
every task which they need to conduct for attaining desire goal as well as outcome of the
research.
Cost: It is an important element of undertaking research activities in an effective way.
This is the reason that researcher is responsible for keeping enough fund so that each and
every activity can be done successfully (Ha, 2020). Along with this, determining the overall

cost of entire project is important so that investigator can develop the same and at the same
time also reduce the possibilities of arising any kind of risk factor.
Access: In undertaking research, it is important for researcher to have access for using
sources like books, journals and another authentic website so that valuable and reliable
information ca be easily accessible. Proper access of all the necessary sources and website
help investigator to complete the research activities in a systematic manner. For example, in
case researcher use primary data then they take permission firstly from Aramark to gather
data from its staff members (Cleary, Velardi and Schnaidman, 2017). On the other hand, it is
also significant for researcher to access all the books and articles to gather detailed
information on the basis of specified area of research. With the assistance of this, investigator
can easily draw a valid conclusion and also take authentic decision to attain reliable outcomes
at the end of the study.
Ethical issue: At the time of undertaking research activities, researcher face various
issues that may negatively impact over the end results. Thus, it is crucial for investigator to
follow all the ethical principles while executing research activities. This can be beneficial in
improving the overall performance of entire research and also make it reliable. In addition to
this, researcher also ensure that all the data and information of respondents can be
confidential so that respondents feel free in sharing their view points towards the selected
topic. With the assistance of this, reliable and valid outcomes can be easily attained
(Franceschi and et. Al., 2020).
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
Thus, these are important method used by researchers to conduct research activities in
a more structured mode. For collecting primary data, researcher use interview for 4
respondents (Manager) who have enough knowledge about the particular topic. In
undertaking research activities, there are various tools and techniques used by researcher for
analysing data. This can be effective in evaluating the actual results that research has covered
and at the same time also address the specified issue. As per current investigation, interview
is organise by researcher to gathering authentic and detailed information. In this various
questions asked from the selected respondents and develop various themes. This will assist in
improving the possibilities of attaining valid information on the basis of respondent’s
viewpoints. All these interview questions are as follows:
Interview

Q1) According to you, why talent management is important for an organization?
Q2) As per your view point, what is the impact of COVID-19 over the talent management?
Q3) Do you think that providing re-training and development practices beneficial for staff
members in pandemic situation of COVID-19?
Q4) How will you retain the talent in the organization during COVID-19?
Q5) As per your opinion, how you encourage your team members to work in a team?
Q6) In the pandemic situation of COVID-19, what initiation you have taken to manage
their talent at working area?
Q7) Give some ideas that you will includes in retaining their talent at working area?
Theme 1: According to you, why talent management is important for an organization?
Answer (Manager 1): As per my opinion, talent management is one of the important activity
as it helps workers to feel engaged and motivated towards the organizational goals and
objectives. Without managing talent company cannot be able to attain their predetermined
targets in stipulated time frame.
Manager 2: Managing talent is crucial for company because it provide assistance in
executing entire operational activities with more efficiency. This can be contributing in
improving the overall performance of company at market place.
Manager 3: According to me, talent management is a business strategy that used by
company with the hope of retaining their workforce for longer period of time. Proper
management of talent at working area may assist in developing brand image.
Manager 4: Talent management is considered as an activity in which organisation commit to
recruit, hire, retain and develop skilled and talented employees. This will provide assistance
to company in building a sustainable competitive image at wider market place.
Theme 2: As per your view point, what is the impact of COVID-19 over the talent
management?
Answer (Manager 1): As per my opinion, COVID-19 is a major crisis for whole world and
almost every business is affected. Due to this pandemic situation, workplace and entire
workforce also have changed. This is the reason that company face issue in managing their
workers. It negatively impacts over the company performance at market place.

Manager 2: Due to issue of COVID-19, employees within the company get affected and also
demotivated towards their roles and responsibilities. Organization may reduce their effective
performance.
Manager 3: According to me, COVID-19 is one of the biggest issue that organisation is
facing as they fail in managing talent at working area. This is because employees left
organization due to this virus.
Manager 4: Almost every people are get affected through COVID-19 as employees does not
put their strong efforts in executing their task and activities within the company. Due to this,
organisation reducing their performance and at the same time also increase in employee
turnover.
Theme 3: Do you think that providing re-training and development practices beneficial
for staff members in pandemic situation of COVID-19?
Answer (Manager 1): According to me providing retaining and development programs is
effective in improving employee efficiency towards its job role as it helps in developing their
experience at workplace.
Manager 2: As per my view point, in order to manage talent in COVID-19 re-training and
development help employees in making them able to perform well at working area. With the
assistance of this, employees can easily attain their targets in minimum period of time.
Manager 3: Re-training and development practices are effective for staff member in
COVID-19 as it enhances their experience to perform in pandemic situation along with
higher proficiency.
Manager 4: It is important for business organization to provide proper and updates re-
training and development practices to workforce with the aim of developing their
effectiveness in executing their task activities in COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Theme 4: How will you retain the talent in the organization during COVID-19?
Answer (Manager 1): Retention of employees is important for company during COVID-19
so that as per my view point creating a transparent link between employee is effective. As it
helps in understand what they must attain in keeping the business activities more effectively.
Manager 2: As a manager I have responsible for delivering an impeccable employee
experience as they cannot be feeling anxious in the uncertain time of COVID-19.

Manager 3: According to me, it is important for company to rethinking the hiring process
adoption of remote interviewing method to continue after the COVID-19 crisis.
Manager 4: As per my view point, providing continuous training and motivation to workers
is also help in managing talent and at the same time also keep them able to perform in during
COVID-19 situation.
Theme 5: As per your opinion, how you encourage your team members to work in a
team?
Answer (Manager 1): It is important for company to motivate their workers to perform well
in a team as it can be increase the chances of attaining competitive advantage in COVID-19
situation. In order to encourage workers, providing rewards and incentives is effective by
which workers give their best efforts for accomplishing their targets.
Manager 2: According to me, set smaller weekly goals is an effective way to encourage their
team members in a team in pandemic situation of COVID-19. With the assistance of this,
employees improve their abilities to give their best efforts to accomplishing the same.
Manager 3: In order to encourage team members to execute task activities in a team proper
and effective leadership style is important. By this as a manager can lead and influence team
members to attain their targets in stipulated time frame.
Manager 4: Effective training and development programs are the important for company to
encourage workforce for performing their task activities in a team. By this, employees have
improved their overall performance at working area and attain their goals.
Theme 6: In the pandemic situation of COVID-19, what initiation you have taken to
manage their talent at working area?
Answer (Manager 1): In order to manage talent at working area is important as it help
employees in improving their efficiency level. As a manager I have create a culture of
transparency and feedback that assist in building positive and healthy relation with staff
members at working area.
Manager 2: If workers give their best efforts for attainment of their goals than manager is
responsible to appreciate their good work. It may assist in motivating as well as encouraging
employees to improve their efficiency and productivity as well.

Manager 3: It is important manager of business organization to encourage their workers to
take risk in executing task and activities. For this, involving in decision making activities is
also effective as it improve employee efficiency to perform well in COVID-19.
Manager 4: Give employee freedom and autonomy is also help in managing talent in the
pandemic situation of COVID-19. Having honest interaction about what employee want to do
may assist in encouraging them to attain their targets in an effective manner.
Theme 7: Give some ideas that you will includes in retaining their talent at working
area?
Answer (Manager 1): It is significant for business organization to retain their workers for
longer period of time so that company can reduce its employee turnover. For this, giving
continuous motivation is important as it may assist in improving the performance level
towards the set targets.
Manager 2: Providing quality management and supervision is an important initiation taken
by manager of company to analyse workers performance and provide them necessary
guidance to improve the same.
Manager 3: For retaining talented workers at working area, providing flexibility is an
effective way in which workers have freedom to perform their task activities. With the help
of this, workforce can develop their efficiency level and attain all the predetermined goals
and objectives in an effective manner.
Manager 4: As a manager I will use retention strategies that assist in retaining workers and at
the same time also reduce the employee turnover. By using this, workers feel their
importance and value within the company and give their best efforts for achieving all the set
targets in an effective way.
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
As per discussed research objectives it has been analysed that management of talented
workers is crucial for business organization as it provide opportunities in attainment of all the
set targets in a stipulated time frame. In addition to this, COVID-19 is a major crisis for
entire globe and almost every individual and enterprises get affected. Thus, it is significant
for business organization to provide proper re- training and development practices to guide