ASDA Apprenticeship Program: A CSR-Focused Problem-Solution Report

This report identifies and analyzes the challenges ASDA faces in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within its employee apprenticeship programs. The core problem revolves around issues such as unsuitable training contracts, underpaid wages, outdated policies, lack of employee welfare, insufficient employer support, ineffective management techniques, and a lack of motivation. These issues have led to employee criticism, resignations, and legal challenges, ultimately impacting ASDA's operational efficiency and brand image. Potential solutions include updating operational techniques, launching social media campaigns to improve public perception, implementing employee-oriented policies focused on welfare, ensuring a safe working environment free from harassment, and adopting anti-harassment policies with strict actions against offenders. The report further discusses the strengths and weaknesses of these proposed solutions, emphasizing the importance of considering social aspects while addressing potential complexities and resource wastages. This document is available on Desklib, where students can find a variety of solved assignments and past papers.

Apprenticeship for
employees

Table of Contents
Identify a current problem......................................................................................................3
Analyse the causes of this problem. .....................................................................................3
Present a potential solution to this problem...........................................................................5
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this solution...........................................................7
References .......................................................................................................................................9

Identify a current problem
CSR is the corporate social responsibility that have to be followed by every organisations
that performing their operations in market. All the managers have the responsibility to imply
CSR successfully in their working functions. In ASDA the problem that stated in enhancing
CSR is related to apprenticeship of employees. Several issues has faced and reported in ASDA
working environment in the past that shows their poor operations efficiency. The mentioned firm
lacking in developing a friendly as well as healthy working environment that can succours
employee into develops skills. Due to some serious issues in management of ASDA employees
faced criticism and discrimination. Since, employees are the main support system for company to
enhance its operations ability. Therefore, managers of ASDA should have to concern to related
issues (Cheema, and et. al., 2020).
In the past many employees were resigned from mentioned company due to its unethical
working environment. Through the above action ASDA faced serious problems in performing
their task in due to shortage of skilled employee in work culture. Revenue of the given company
were also deployed by huge margins that impacted their stability badly. The above mentioned
problem affecting employees mental health that ultimately declining their efficiency and slowing
their ability to provide higher return in relation to operations. ASDA has faced law suit cases in
the past that happened due to exploitation of employee at working place. In that case upper level
authorities passed several racist comment to concerned employee and harassed her on workplace.
In result to that other employees were resigned and criticised the company workplace. Several ,
NGO and costumer also criticised ASDA practice that directly declined their sales (Lee, and et.
al., 2018).
Analyse the causes of this problem.
In the below discussions several issues has stated of ASDA operations that effecting their
efficiency as well as declined their brand image. Since, ASDA is known for its retail chain
operations that covered almost every part of UK. But these stated problems clearly represent
company other side that has a lot of bugs to fit. Through the outdated policy to toxic working
culture that faced several criticism work audiences to employee. Hence, these issues is serious
concern for managers of ASDA. For the implementation of CSR in working operations, the
company managers firstly have to be solve the listed issues.

 Unsuitable training contract- The training contracts that made by ASDA are not
favourable in term of employee welfare. Working employees were facing several issues
due to such contract. ASDA is one of the renowned supermarket giant ion UK. Their
operations cover major part of UK as well as other territories to. But due to such
unsuitable training program contract impacting their operations as well as employee
work culture. Company following the old rules and laws under their program that seems
to shows the firms old hierarchy (Moon, 2018). Underpaid and outdated polices- Employees of ASDA that upgrading their skills in
relation to company program are getting low salary and other benefits. Several employees
has faced the unequal paying criteria by managers. Hence, such issue reflecting the
unsuitable working environment in company management where employees are facing
such serious issue. The mentioned company outdated policies also bound the employee to
reflect their ideas and view on several approaches that clearly diminishing their growth as
well as creating heat in workplace. Employees were bound to express their problems to
concerning managers that leads to arise the situation with no solution. Hence, the above
mentioned practice is the main reason that conflicts into implying effective CSR in
company operations. In relation to this, their working efficiency were also declined that
clearly demolish their revenue (Neis, and et. al., 2018). Less concern about employees welfare- Mentioned company has shows less concern
about their employees which they were operating. Hence due to this reason it has to face
several legal litigations. Which has destroyed the goodwill of company in market and
negatively affect its sales. Employees were exploited at workplace form the upper line
management that arises several debates and conflicts on mentioned company operations.
Company does not follow any ethical and suitable approach that solely focuses for
employee welfare. Due to lack of mentioned approach in company working environment
employees credibility diminishes and they were feel unsafe at working place. Several past
cases in ASDA has shown that employees resigned to apprenticeship programs due to
unethical behaviour and toxic working environment. Thus, it is reflecting major
drawback of company operations and shows unsuitable working environment that bound
to imply CSR (Pylväs, Nokelainen, and Rintala, 2018).

 Lack of employer support- Due to inappropriate working environment as well as
unsupportive management, employee faced critical issues in their jobs. Upper level
management team were lacking into delivering their responsibility towards their
employees. Due to such working environment employees bound to face several on
working problems related to work culture as well as operations techniques. Employees
mental health were impacted due to such issues. Therefore, mangers of mentioned firm
has failed into creating suitable integrated approach into company's operations. which
result to express lack employer support (Saha, and et. al., 2020). Ineffective management techniques- Management of ASDA does not following
effective management techniques in their operations which leads to arise major issues in
company environment. In reflection to above unsuitable techniques company has created
loop holes in their techniques that diminishing employees credibility. Due to such
techniques employees rights were demolished and creates career uncertainty. This is the
major conflicts in CSR. Lack of motivation – Employees were not apprised for their hard work and efforts that
they put in enhancing the ASDA operations. Managers of respective firm not built any
program or such sessions in which employees morale boost up by management. In result
to this their morale and efforts were declined towards company function that ultimately
derives low efficiency of employee. It harms the company profitability as well as arises
difficulties for mangers to comply corporate and social responsibility.
Present a potential solution to this problem
By reflecting above issue that faced by ASDA in performing the CSR. Following
solutions can be taken by managers of ASDA to enhance the environment responsibility. By
adopting favourable practice ASDA can establish brand image that care for people and
environment. Their sustainable approach and effective solutions can eliminate the future issue of
such problems that faced by the company in their past operating years. Since, in the present era
peoples are more informative. Therefore,any small britches are captured by news that deliver to
their gadgets. Hence ,by positive solutions that will be provide in below points succours the
mangers to represent their operations more gracefully in between audience. The mentioned
practice also helps into take the competitive advantage (Sanchez, 2019).

 Effective techniques- The managers of ASDA have to update the techniques that used
in performing the operations. By upgrading of old technology with new technology will
ultimately reduces the chances of uncertainty in operations that can eliminate the issues
of employee credibility. From using the such cost and time effective techniques managers
can spare their time in interacting with other employees and can ease them by providing
solution to their concerning problems. The mentioned company have to form such
adaptive method to that ensures the solution oriented techniques. Therefore the above
solution can succours the manger to enhance their CSR policy effectively in company
operations (Sanséau, and Defélix, 2020). social media campaigns- In today era social media is biggest source of delivering the
informations to peoples. The managers of mentioned firms can utilize the above source
smartly to deliver their suitable approach information in between the audiences. Through
focusing on internet media managers can enhance their profitably criteria by establishing
suitable image in between global market. Hence this approach succours the mentioned
company in evolving internal as well as external affairs . Employee oriented policy- The steps that helps every company in establishing CSR
effectively is by approaching above policy. The given firm manager can reconstruct their
old rated employee policy and can shift their functions with adopting sustainable
employee programs. Through such approach, employees problems can resolve easily
which directly enhance their performing functions. Through employee can convert into
reliable asset for company operations through which optimum advantage can be extract.
Since, the mentioned company has its global presence that works with thousands of
employee. Therefore, the company have to adopt such solution oriented policy that solely
focuses into employee welfare (Smyth, and Zimba, 2019). Care for employees- The best approach that numbers of company mangers comply in
their process is support their employee. Through the process a suitable working line is
developed in which mangers ensures to support employee in their jobs. In past operations
of ASDA it is stated that company is lacked in performing such effective approach in
their functions that ultimately questioned their operations responsibility directly. Hence,
the mangers of mentioned company have to form an effective process that solely focuses

into employees growth. Through the mentioned approach employee exploitation can
concur that ease to mangers in enhancing CSR approaches. Safe working environment- Since in the past practice company faced law suit cases that
raised several alligation on their operations. In growth of every successful company
employees plays a vital role in its operations. Hence it is mandatory for mangers to form
such environment that is free form toxicity and provides a safe and suitable working
culture that enhance employee mental as well as corporate growth. In relation to stated
problem managers of ASDA have to adopt such safe environment for employees that
solely focuses into eliminate employee racism. Company can form several policies
through which employee can feel safe at working place (Tutchell, and Edmonds, 2020).
 Anti harassment policy - The working culture of has been by degraded due to several
unethical approaches in which employee harassment is one of the reason. Therefore,
companies need to adopt such practice that focuses into save employee identity. The
mangers of given firm can adopt such practice like take strict actions against employer
who found bulling employee. In past performance of ASDA it is addressed that due to
upper level of management employee faced bullying and exploit at workplace that clearly
stated their unethical approach. Hence through such above mentioned approach manager
of ASDA can construct favourable working environment that solely addressed employee .
Through such program mangers can easily take action against such cases. helps into
generate favourable condition towards CSR (Saha and et. al., 2020).
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this solution
The provided solutions which relates to boosting up of company's response to its CSR
when operating as a business firm in given market region. Through the given solution it can be
ascertained that provided managers of the company can pursue their respective goals and
objectives and also ensures about their relevancy in terms of long term existence of the business
firm. The said solution posses some strengths and weaknesses that creates better understanding
of their application when observed from practical point of view. Following are the strengths and
weaknesses of provided solutions.
Strengths Weaknesses Considers social aspects: For the stated
 Complex: Under this weaknesses

solution it can be stated that, such
solutions considers social aspects of the
business society while operating their
task. Furthermore, it can be said that,
through adopting such solutions
managers at given company delivers
good image of business operations in
respect to their business clients and
enables better relations with business
customers (Wu, 2018). Reduces risks of uncertainty: Through
opting to such solutions it can be said
that risks of uncertainty for a business
firm can be reduced to their extent of
working in external business
environment. Exploring to another
strength of given solutions, it can be
said that managers at respective firm
develops potential of effective working
in the corporate firm for which they
perform work under less risk working
environment. Focus on client relations: This strength
in respect to solutions provided for the
stated issues or challenges for
implementation of CSR. It can be said
that, provided solution enables with
better relations with the clients as by
using platforms of social media
campaign decent relations with
business clients can be formulated.
complex nature of business
environment is being taken into
consideration. In respect to solutions
provided to resolving issues for
implementing CSR, there are several
possibility through which increase in
complexities of business working can
be the resultant.
 Wastages of resources: As reflecting to
complex and uncertain business
environment, another weakness of
provided solutions could relate to
wastages of resources of the business
firm. This might adversely impact over
productivity of the business firm and
might result in reverse impact on
operational working of the business
firm (Zhang, Oo, and Lim, 2019).
 Expensive: The provided solutions
could prove to be expensive in terms of
operating in a business environment.
For instance provided solution might
result in failure of business plan which
would impact on overall impact of
productivity of the business firm.

From the analysis of presentation task, it can be concluded that, CSR plays a vital role in
directing business operations towards establishment of better brand image of the business firm.
Furthermore, it can be said that, through opting to appropriate solutions managers of given firm
are able to implement CSR in their business structure. Lastly, key considerations to strength and
weaknesses of such solutions enabled manager with being selective and dedicated in process of
implementation of business plans.

References
Books and Journals
Cheema, S., Afsar, B., Al‐Ghazali, B.M. and Maqsoom, A., 2020. Retracted: How employee's
perceived corporate social responsibility affects employee's pro‐environmental
behaviour? The influence of organizational identification, corporate entrepreneurship,
and environmental consciousness. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental
Management, 27(2), pp.616-629.
Lee, K.C., Tsai, W.H., Yang, C.H. and Lin, Y.Z., 2018. An MCDM approach for selecting green
aviation fleet program management strategies under multi-resource limitations. Journal
of Air Transport Management, 68, pp.76-85.
Moon, H., 2018. Unleashing apprenticeship: from onboarding to professional
development. European Journal of Training and Development.
Neis, B., Barber, L., Fitzpatrick, K., Hanson, N., Knott, C., Premji, S. and Thorburn, E., 2018.
Fragile synchronicities: diverse, disruptive and constraining rhythms of employment-
related geographical mobility, paid and unpaid work in the Canadian context. Gender,
Place & Culture, 25(8), pp.1175-1192.
Pylväs, L., Nokelainen, P. and Rintala, H., 2018. Finnish apprenticeship training stakeholders’
perceptions of vocational expertise and experiences of workplace learning and
guidance. Vocations and Learning, 11(2), pp.223-243.
Saha, R., Cerchione, R., Singh, R. and Dahiya, R., 2020. Effect of ethical leadership and
corporate social responsibility on firm performance: A systematic review. Corporate
Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(2), pp.409-429.
Sanchez, D.O.M., 2019, June. Sustainable Development Challenges and Risks of Industry 4.0: A
literature review. In 2019 Global IoT Summit (GIoTS) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Sanséau, P.Y. and Defélix, C., 2020. The Leader‐Entrepreneur in an Apprenticeship
Position. The Success of Apprenticeships: Views of Stakeholders on Training and
Learning, 3, pp.27-32.
Smyth, I. and Zimba, C., 2019. An investigation into apprenticeship completion and retention in
Northern Ireland: a social exchange perspective. International Journal of Training and
Development, 23(1), pp.89-115.
Tutchell, E. and Edmonds, J., 2020. Unsafe Spaces: Ending sexual abuse in universities. Emerald
Group Publishing.
Wu, F.Y., 2018. The Effect of Service Apprenticeship System on the Performance and Retention
of New Employees.
Zhang, Q., Oo, B.L. and Lim, B.T.H., 2019. Drivers, motivations, and barriers to the
implementation of corporate social responsibility practices by construction enterprises:
A review. Journal of cleaner production, 210, pp.563-584.