Research Report: COVID-19's Impact on HR at Blues Cafe, London, UK

This research project investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the role of Human Resources (HR) within the hospitality sector, focusing on Blues Cafe in London as a case study. The study includes both primary and secondary research. Secondary research involves a literature review on relevant topics, while primary research utilizes a quantitative method with data collected through questionnaires. The project provides an analysis and interpretation of the primary data, along with recommendations and reflections on the investigation. The report covers the background of the research, its aims and objectives, the rationale for topic selection, and the research questions. It then delves into a literature review, research methodologies, data analysis, and findings. The report concludes with conclusions and recommendations, including communication strategies for stakeholders, and a reflection on the effectiveness of the methods used and alternative approaches. The research aims to evaluate the role of talent management, the impact of COVID-19 on HR practices (including recruitment and training), and strategies for Blues Cafe to overcome pandemic-related challenges and improve talent management.

Research Project
Executive Summary
The current research project is based on evaluation of impact lead by current global
pandemic, COVID-19 on the role of HR within a hospitality sector. The organisation selected for
this investigation is based on Blues Cafe, London. Further, a detailed primary and secondary
research is covered in this assignment. The secondary research is based on Literature review on

various objectives set for current research work where as primary research is conducted with the
help of quantitative research method and data is collected with the help of a questionnaire. Apart
from this proper evaluation and interpretation of primary data is also made along with proper
recommendations and reflection on current investigation.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................1
Research Title: To evaluate about the impact of COVID-19 on role of HR in hospitality sector”.
A case study Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London..............................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Background of research topic.................................................................................................1
Aim and objectives.................................................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................3
Introduction of Literature Review..........................................................................................3
Main Body..............................................................................................................................3
Chapter 3: Research methodologies................................................................................................6
Chapter 4: Data analysis and findings...........................................................................................11
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation.................................................................................20
Conclusion............................................................................................................................20
Recommendation..................................................................................................................21
Communication with indentified Stakeholders....................................................................22
Chapter 6: Reflection.....................................................................................................................22
Reflection on effectiveness of current methods...................................................................22
Reflection on alternative methodologies and approaches....................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23

Research Title: To evaluate about the impact of COVID-19 on role of HR in
hospitality sector”. A case study Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Background of research topic
COVID -19 is the biggest and most severe epidemic and global pandemic that is currently
faced by the whole world and creating a negative impact and threat for all business organisations
especially on Tourism and Hospitality sector. Corona viruses or COVID -19 is a part of large
family of viruses that lead to and cause illness and result in form of common cold to more severe
diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
that could even lead to death of patient in many cases (Lord and Saad, 2020). The biggest issues
associated with COVID-19 is that still there is no cure and proper medicine to treat patient of
Corona virus that makes it more dangerous, thus, the only way to remain safe from this disease is
social distancing and lockdown that means no social gathering, celebrations or holiday planning
that is not good and create a major setback for hospitality sector. Thus, the current research work
is concerned with evaluating about the impact of COVID-19 on role of HR in hospitality sector.
The organisation selected for current research work is Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London
that is a well known cafe house and restaurant situated at London, UK and providing best
possible food and associated services to customers. This cafe and restaurant is famous for its elite
food and other services but recently due to COVID-19 it is encountering with many issues and
negative implications of this virus on health if its employees and overall business operation
(Jasmine, 2019). Thus, the current research work is conducted on Blues Cafe, Leytonstone,
London to get better understanding about the implication and impact of COVID-19 on role of
HR that consist human resources recruitment and training polices along with developing better
knowledge about the possible steps and strategies that could be adopted by Blues Café, London
to overcome issues of COVID -19 along with leading effective talent management at its
organisation.
Aim and objectives
Aim
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The aim of this research work and current investigation is, “ To study about the impact of
COVID-19 on role of HR that consist human resources recruitment and training polices”. A
research work on Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London
Research objectives
The main purposes and objectives associated with and set out for current research work
on Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London are stated as below:
 To evaluate about the role and importance of talent management in better growth and
success of a hospitality organisation.
 To study about the impact created by COVID-19 on role of HR in Blues Cafe including
its human resources recruitment and training polices (Bethune and Korinek, 2020).
 To determine the possible steps and strategies that could be adopted by Blues Café,
London to overcome issues of COVID -19 along with leading effective talent
management at its organisation.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic that is based on impact lead by COVID-19 on role
of HR is rationale and justifiable as COVID-19 is the biggest threat for hospitality industry as
creating negative impact on all business all over the world. Thus, it is rationale from professional
point of view of investigator to evaluate about the new challenges and impact lead by COVID-19
for hospitality sector so that effective strategies and ways can be lead and implemented by hotels
and cafe well on time to overcome issues of COVID -19 along with leading effective talent
management at organisation. Thus, selection of current research topic is viable from perspective
of an organisation through emphasising on role of HR to encounter challenges of COVID-19
through leading more effective and better recruitment and training policies to have longer term
virility and success of hospitality organisation. Further, the current research is also vital and
rationale from personal perspective and view point of researcher as it ensures and encourages
betterment in managerial skills and other competencies along with meeting educational and
academic perspective and view point of researcher. Apart from this, current research work also
ensures better information and work experience for other scholars and investigator that would
support their learning and working experience.
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Research questions
The main research questions and issues encountered and evaluated through current
investigation and research work conducted on Blues Cafe, Leytonstone, London are as follows:
 What crucial role and importance is lead by talent management in better growth and
success of a hospitality organisation?
 What impact is created by COVID-19 on role of HR in Blues Cafe including its human
resources recruitment and training?
 What are the possible steps and strategies that could be adopted by Blues Café, London to
overcome issues of COVID -19 along with leading effective talent management at its
organisation?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction of Literature Review
It is crucial and vital part of every research work and investigation that lead to a framework
and support for overall research work through leading evaluation and better understanding of
research topic with the help of secondary sources and related information (Haines and et. al.,
2020). Literature review consist of evaluation and survey of various available literature and
information in form of articles, journals and other books and recorded data and documents that
facilities better understanding about selected research topic. Various online articles and authentic
journal are reviewed on topic of COVID-19 and role of HR to have better understanding and
evaluation of current research topic and achieve its objective in a more effective way. A
discussion of these online articles and journal on current research topic is provided below.
Main Body
To evaluate about the role and importance of talent management in better growth and success
of a hospitality organisation.
As per the opinion of Jan Burch, 2018, a crucial role is lead talent management in better
growth and success of organisation it lead to an effective tool for HR managers to attract and
select more talented and skilled employees for an organisation. Apart from this, it has been
evaluated that HR managers and effective talent management lead to a positive workplace
environment that is necessary for retaining and maintaining talented staff for longer period of
time to meet and achieve objectives of an organisation in a more effective and better way. Apart
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from this, it has been also evaluated that talent management ensures regular training and learning
session for employees to sharpen and enhance their skills and competencies. Beside this proper
motivation and direction through use of extra perks and incentives is also forms a part of talent
management that plays a crucial role in enhancing performance and efficiency of workforce
(Guan and et. al., 2020). Thus, it can be observed that talent management is a crucial role of HR
department that lead to better growth and success of organisation through attracting and retaining
talent employees and also ensures better motivation and training for them to achieve desired
targets in a more effective and better manner (Santhanam and et. al., 2017).
PESTEL analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in UK
According to the view point of Tera Allas, Marc Canal, and Vivian Hunt, 2020, COVID-
19 has lead to a negative impact on all aspects and factors of UK. It has been found out that the
political environment of UK get disrupted because of COVID-19 as the government and political
leaders need to make more effective policies to encounter and reduce the spread of this virus and
also making effort to enhance awareness about its precautionary methods. The economy of UK is
also getting totally disturbed because of COVID-19 as lockdown and sudden shut down has lead
to loss of 7.6 million jobs out of which 24 percent is of the UK workforce. Further, the society of
UK is also completely shattered and distress because of this Virus as still there is no cure and
medicine for its treatment thus, negatively impacting the health and creating larger number
patient and death in UK. Further, enhanced use of technology and advance techniques are made
to keep people safe from Corona Virus and also helps in keeping control and check on citizens
(Brown, 2020). Further, more preventive environmental actions are also taken by government of
UK to ensure proper hygiene and cleanliness also with proper sensitization of environment.
Further, new and more strict legal actions are also enforced in UK to maintain social distancing
and follows all precautions action associated with flow of COVID-19.
To study about the impact created by COVID-19 on role of HR in Blues Cafe including its
human resources recruitment and training polices
As per the view point of Hassan Djeebet, 2020, COVID- 19 has crested many negative
impacts and challenges for a hospitality organisation that has lead to enhanced challenge and
pressure on HR to play a more vital role and form better strategies to ensure effective talent
management and maintain moral of employees to cope up with this severe situation. It has been
evaluated that the impact created by COVID- 19 on role of HR in Blues Cafe consist of
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modification and considerable changes in its recruitment and selection procedure that is now
more based and intended towards implementation of Job rotation and shift wise working in
organisation. Further, It has been also find out that COVID-19 has lead to change in training of
employees as now learning is more emphases on hygiene, cleanliness and properly sanitizing of
environment and workplace (Solnet, Kralj and Baum, 2015). Beside this, it also become essential
for HR of Blues café to have more online seminars and Training for making employees aware
about needed precautions for handling the consequences of COVID-19. Thus, it can be evaluated
that COVID-19 bringing a significant change and impact on role of HR as now they need to
emphasis more on online learning and training along with rotational working hour and better
understanding about precautionary measures of COVID-19 (Nieves and Osorio, 2017).
To determine the possible steps and strategies that could be adopted by Blues Café, London to
overcome issues of COVID -19 along with leading effective talent management at its
organisation
According to the view point Heleri Rande, 2020, the possible steps and strategies that
could be taken by hospitality organisation to cope up with issues of COVID-19 consists of going
online and having more operations through online channels and having automation in
organisation. Beside this, the strategies that could be adopted by Blues cafe, London consist of
setting more strict and viable precautionary measures to overcome the risk of spread of COVID-
19 in its employees and workplace. Apart from this, setting hygiene advisories for employees
and Yielding proper training and learning to employees regarding the ways and steps that could
be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are effective measures (Reilly, 2018). Further,
providing more effective Reassure to customers and taking even better care of the guests that
comes is also a better way to attract larger number of customers and retain the brand image of
organisation. Beside this, can be evaluated that emphasis more on online channels and digital
services is also a good option for Blues cafe London to maintain its business work during the
period of lockdown and to overcome the issue of COVID- 19. Further, use of and Adopting
cloud technologies and other online ways is an effective measures that can be adopted by HR to
attract and cater larger number of customers and also lead to easily providing services through
use of digital channels to form better brand image Further, through making proper cleanliness,
hygiene and properly sanitizing at its organisation, Blues London can have better image and
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build trust in its customers that would help it to overcome the issue of COVID-19 and also lead
to better talent management (Bratton, 2018).
Chapter 3: Research methodologies
A research methodology provides about the set of particular process and techniques which
are assorted by a researcher or manager to identify, select process and analysis information and
data related with a particular topic (Mackie and Grant, 2017). A research methodology provides
the information about how the data is collected and interpreted for attaining the outcomes of the
research’s conclusion.
Research Philosophy
It facilitates the a belief about the ways in which data is related to the topic which has to
be collected and analysis with evaluation to implement in research by a researcher. There are two
main research philosophy are described below:
Positivism: This type of research philosophy is used by researcher which has been
focused by predicting and observing the research outcomes. Positivism method is also known as
Scientific Method as it measurable on high structure method which is not much influenced by
researcher’s value and behavior (Pham and Tuckova, 2018).
Interpretivism: This type of philosophy is basically assorted by those researcher who are
focused into collecting and gathering the precious data which allows the expensive and
subjective data for generating the better configurations.
As for this research there is used of Positivism philosophy is selected as it provides the
predicting of research data and generates the right form of conclusion on the basis of important
aspect while Interpretivism will not be suitable as it would only provide the subjective data.
Research Approaches:
It formally represent the plan and procedure which is assorted by research and includes
the various steps and assumptions for making the data collection effective to analysis and
interpretation. Research approach is containing two types of research approaches are:
Deductive: This approach involves the selecting theory, developing from the hypothesis
as per the data gathering and evaluation on the basis of the given hypothesis. Therefore, it
includes the main focuses of this approach through testing on theory before implementing.
Inductive: this approach of research is considered the new upcoming theory which
emerge from the data. It facilitates a more logical process in which multiple assumption and
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premises are involved through which complied with generates the specific conclusion of research
(Ansar and Baloch, 2018).
Research Method:
Research method generates the systematic process of planning conducting and meeting
objectives of any research. There are two main types of research method which are described
below:
Qualitative Method: As by using of this method is considered by researcher looking for
in dept knowledge of data about the research which provides the detailed information about
research topic. As it part of Secondary resources which emphasis collection of data through
different factors.
Quantitative method: According to this research method the data is gathered in form of
numeric and arithmetic framework and only reflects the statistical representation of data that also
comprises about the reviews of respondent and it doesn’t give any importance towards the depth
knowledge (Santhanam, 2019).
As for this research there is determination of Quantitative research method for help to gathered
the numeric as well as statistical data representation to detect the facts and findings about the
research outcomes, while the researcher not selected the Qualitative research method as it will
provides the theoretical information which will not suitable as per the research objectives.
Gantt chart
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Sources of Data Collection :
It basically presents the origin of the data from where it actually collected or gathered. The
main sources of the sampling method are follows:
Primary Sources: The data has been collected from the self efforts by researcher to
implement the information into research as the collection of data through interview, survey
polls, feedbacks and other references etc.
Secondary resources: The data has been collected through the accessibility to data
which is having existence in other research document where it opted for the data through the
internet, articles, subjective books by which data is been used and secondary method is one of
the efficient method on which the research is easily scrutinized the data (Kawooza, 2018).
As for this particular research there is use of both primary and secondary source of data
collection where the primary source is helps to making the formation of questionnaires and
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secondary source helps to collecting the information through other online and other external
sources.
Sampling method:
Sampling is the method where the researcher is choosing the observation of pre
determined data through the purpose of analyzation and evaluation with the aspect of big
population size number (Wandhe, 2016).
On this research there is use of simple random sampling where it facilitates to generates
the chances for all observation and selection which is completely depend on the basis of
probability where it decreases the high factor errors as well as discrimination of the research.
Instrument Used: According to this research the instrument is used to formatting the
sampling method for analysation the objective of research through Questionnaires.
Sampling Size: Sampling size of this research is to taking the 30 workers from the Blue
café’s London where the objective and topic of Talent Management research has been taken for
to analysation and understanding for this sampling size.`
Questionnaire: It is a written document in which the set of question are having with the
perspective of research topic on which respondent reviews are considered (Chug, 2017).
Questionnaire
Name:
Address:
Email Id:
Age
Q1) Are you being aware about the impacts that is lead by current global pandemic,
COVID-19 on role of HR in hospitality sector
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the possible issues that are faced by organisation of hospitability sector
because of COVID-19?
a) Travel restrictions
b) Higher risk and fear of illness
c) Sudden downturn due to lockdown in various parts of world
Q3) Are you agreed with the fact the HR managers and leaders would play a significant
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