Impact of Skin Colour Discrimination on Employee Motivation at M&S

This research project investigates the impact of skin colour discrimination on employee motivation within the workplace, using Marks & Spencer as a case study. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both primary and secondary research. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, while secondary data involved the analysis of online articles and existing literature. The research utilizes a quantitative methodology, with data analyzed using frequency tables and pie charts to present the findings. The report includes an executive summary, introduction with background, rationale, objectives, and research questions, followed by a literature review exploring the concept of skin colour discrimination, its influence on employee motivation, and strategies to eliminate it. The methodology section details the research philosophy (interpretivism), approach (inductive), strategy (survey), and methods (quantitative), along with the time horizon and data collection techniques. The results and findings are presented and discussed, leading to conclusions, recommendations, and reflections. The appendices include the research proposal and ethical considerations.

Research Project
Executive summary
The current research study is based on the topic of “The impact of skin colour discrimination
on employees' motivation in the workplace” for which an investigation is lead out on Marks &
Spencer. Current investigation comprises of both primary and secondary form of study where

primary research is lead out with the help of questionnaire and secondary study comprises of
analysis of online articles and literature. Further, use of quantitative method of research is made
where data is collected with the help of survey technique through use of questionnaire as
instrument for data collection. Apart from this, effective discussion and analysis of findings is
also provide with the help of frequency table and pie charts.
Table of Contents
Executive summary..........................................................................................................................1
Research topic: “The impact of skin colour discrimination on employees' motivation in the
workplace”. A case study on Marks & Spencer..............................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background for the study.......................................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................1
Research aim and objectives..................................................................................................1
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
To understand the concept associated with skin colour discrimination.................................2
To assess the influence of skin colour discrimination on motivation of employees at
workplace...............................................................................................................................3
To determine various strategies to eliminate skin colour discrimination from workplace....3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................4
RESULTS/FINDINGS....................................................................................................................9
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................17
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
Appendix :......................................................................................................................................20
Research Proposal................................................................................................................20
Ethical Issues........................................................................................................................27

Research topic: “The impact of skin colour discrimination on employees'
motivation in the workplace”. A case study on Marks & Spencer
INTRODUCTION
Background for the study
Skin colour discrimination take place wherever an individual or employee experience
discrimination and feel prejudice on the basis shade of their skin colour which hampers
performance and motivation level of an individual (Fletcher, 2017). Thus, current investigation
is lead out on the Marks and Spencer which is a well known British multinational retailer
providing its products and services at various location of world the main headquarter of which is
located at London, UK. The main purpose of current investigation is to evaluate about the impact
lead by skin colour discrimination on employees' motivation level at the workplace of an
organisation.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rationale as it leads to better understanding about
the conception of skin colour discrimination which is not tolerable as per the provisions of
various laws. Thus, the current research work becomes viable and important from the view point
of an organisation as it lead to evaluation of impact of skin colour discrimination on the
performance of employees along with leading determination of strategies and ways to eliminate
this issues of skin colour discrimination from place of work. Further, selection of current
research topic also meets the personal interest and education aspects of researcher along with
leading enhancement in skills and knowledge of scholars and other researchers.
Research aim and objectives
Research aim
The main aim behind leading out current investigation is “To analyse the impact of skin
colour discrimination on motivation of employees in workplace”. A case study on Marks &
Spencer.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept associated with skin colour discrimination.
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 To assess the influence of skin colour discrimination on motivation of employees at
workplace.
 To determine various strategies to eliminate skin colour discrimination from workplace.
Research questions
 What is the concept of skin colour discrimination?
 What is the influence of skin colour discrimination on motivation of employees at workplace?
 Which strategies can be employ by Marks & Spencer to eliminate skin colour discrimination
from workplace?
LITERATURE REVIEW
This section of research comprises of analysis and review of various online articles and
authentic journals to have better understanding about the selected topic and its objectives, an
analysis and evaluation of which is provided below:
To understand the concept associated with skin colour discrimination
As per the view point of Angela R. Dixon and Edward E. Telles, 2017, the conception of
skin colour discrimination is mainly associated with a biasness or discrimination based on the
shade and colour of skin which consist of prejudice or unfair treatment with individuals having
darker skin complexion. Apart from this, skin colour discrimination also comprises of chances of
facing harassment or criticism only because of colour of their skin comprises of derogatory
remarks and unethical behaviour towards a candidate or employee. In many orgnisation and
companies it has been seen that candidates with lighter and whiter complexion are treated as
more valuable and given more preference as compared with candidate with dark skin tone. This,
unfairness and discrimination seen at all workplace polices of organisation which comprise of
preference to white skin people during selection and recruitment process and even during the
providing of growth opportunities and promotions (Ford, 2014). This treatment and biasness on
the basis of skin complexion is considered as skin colour discrimination or Colorism which is not
tolerable before law and many strict laws and provisions are made to control and eliminate skin
colour discrimination at workplace.
Thus, an evaluation can be made that skin colour discrimination is mainly associated with
the prejudice treatment and unethical behaviour with people having darker skin complexion
along with leading unfair recruitment and promotion policies which are more inclined and
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favourable for whiter complexion people. Further, it has been also evaluated that this
discriminated behaviour is against law and many acts are made to protect interest of people and
eliminate the issues of skin colour discrimination (Lee, 2020).
To assess the influence of skin colour discrimination on motivation of employees at workplace
As per the information provided by the Itisha Nagar, 2018 , it has been evaluate that a
drastic influence and negative impact is lead by colour discrimination in the motivation level o
employees at the workplace. The main reason behind this negative influence comprises of fact
that presence of skin colour discrimination promotes higher chances of harassment and criticism
for employees with dark skin complexion along with regular derogatory remarks and unethical
behaviour which hampers and affects the morale and confidence level of employees. apart from
this a negative effect and pessimistic impact is lead by feeling of discrimination and prejudice on
the mental and psychological health of a candidate which comprises of higher level of stress and
feeling of anxiety which makes them more prone to diseases and also directs them towards drug
addiction and consumption of alcohol and smoke which leads a drastic and negative influence on
morale and efficiency level of an individual.
Further, it has been also analysed that unfairness and biasness in selection and promotion
process on the basis of skin complexion also leads a negative impact on morale of employees and
they feel exhausted if their talents and skills are not treated equally just because of colour of their
skin which leads to reduction in their strength and performance (Lewis, Glambek and Hoel,
2020). Thus, an analysis can be made that skin colour discrimination pissed off talent and
confidence level of an employee along with leading more physiological issues and stress which
lead a negative influence on the motivation of employees at place of work.
To determine various strategies to eliminate skin colour discrimination from workplace
With respect to the information provided by Glover, N.A., 2018, it has been evaluated that
many various strategies are there which can be adopted by an organisation to eliminate skin
colour discrimination from the workplace. The main strategies which can be adopted and lead
out by Marks and Spenser to eliminate issues of skin colour discrimination from its workplace
are discussed and evaluated below:
Adoption of Anti-discriminatory policy- It is the most effective way to ensure a
discrimination free workplace through leading and adopting policies which are based on anti
discrimination and are more ethical and lawful. Implication of Anti-discrimination policy by
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Marks and Spencer ensures and leads for a check on its selection and promotion policies to
eliminate biasness and unfair treatment in order to offer a fair opportunity and chance to all
employees at its place of work without leading importance to complexion of their skin.
Regular training and education- The another step that could be adopted by Marks and
Spencer to eliminate skin colour discrimination through leading a sense of respect for all people
and candidates irrespective of their physical characteristics. Further, regular training and
education also builds a better connection and interaction among employees to set a positive
behaviour and bonding among employees in order to eliminate chances of harassment and skin
colour discrimination at place of work (Perkins, 2017).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This section of research project comprises of information about the types of methods and
approach used by researcher for leading out a researcher. To ensure selection and adoption of
suitable research method for current instigation on Marks and Spencer implication of research
onion is made which is providing justification and valid reason for adoption of current research
method and approach.
Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research philosophy- This represent the first layer of research onion which is divided
into two main types i.e. positivism and interpretivism out of which one is selected with respect to
nature of study. Adoption of interpretivism philosophy is seemed appropriate for current
investigation as it emphasis on unique and specific information along with systematic
investigation to meet set objective in better way (Vera Cruz, 2018).
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Research approach- It represent the second layer that is two main parts comprises of
inductive and deductive form of approach. As per the nature of current study, utilisation of
inductive approach is justifiable as it supports collection of in-depth information along with
leading effective support and testing of set objectives in order to draw a more viable and
appropriate conclusion.
Research strategy and design- This layer represent the information about the methods
and techniques that are used to design a research and provides a base and framework for
investigation and data collection (Walker and Zuberi, 2020). The main types of research strategy
comprises of action research, survey, observation, experiments, etc among which adoption of
survey strategy of research is made for current study as it ensures more efficient and simplest
way of data collection with the help of use of questionnaire as research instrument.
Choices of method- Out of two main forms of research method i.e. quantitative and
qualitative method, adoption and utilisation of quantitative nature of research method are made
for current investigation (Lee, 2020). The qualitative method of research is more complex and
requires more time for analysis and interpretation of theoretical information thus, adoption of
quantitative nature of research method is more appropriate and justifiable as it lead to gathering
of numeric information that is easy to analysis and provided more measurable and authentic
results through making use of statistical graphs and tables.
Time Horizons- Use of following Gantt chart is made to represent time horizons and duration
of current investigation:
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Setting
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Data collection and analysis- Data has been collected from two main sources of
information which consists of primary and secondary sources of information. Primary data has
been collected with the help of questionnaire and which is analysed through making use of pie
charts and frequency tables. On contrary secondary data has been collected from past records and
articles which has been analysed under the head of literature review (Lewis, Glambek and Hoel,
2020). The justification for selection of primary data is that it provides most reliable and
authentic form of data where as secondary information is justifiable to support current findings
and set a base for investigation.
Sampling method- A sample size of 25 participants had been selected from the
employees of Marks and Spencer for current investigation with the help of Random sampling
method.
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Questionnaire
Q1) Do you having any consideration and implication about the concept of shadeism or
skin colour discrimination?
a) Yes
b) Neutral implication
c) No
Q2) As per your opinion what could be main forms and type of discrimination that are
commonly seen in a business orgnisation?
a) Cultural discrimination
b) Age discrimination
c) Gender discrimination
d) Shadeism or skin colour discrimination
Q3) What overall influence or impact of skin colour discrimination is seen on motivation
level of employees at workplace?
a) Positive impact
b) Negative influence
c) No impact
Q4) As per your view point what could be the main adverse impact of Shadeism or skin
colour discrimination on the performance and motivation level of employees of Marks and
Spencer?
a) Enhancement in workplace harassment and conflicts
b) High stress and anxiety level
c) Psychological distress and other mental problems
d) Lack of workplace coordination
Q5) Are you agreed with the fact that high employee turnover and lack of job satisfaction
are also the main consequences and negative implication of discrimination at workplace?
a) Strongly agreed
b) Agreed
c) Disagreed
d) Strongly disagreed
e) Neither agreed nor disagreed
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Q6) Is proper management and creation of equality and diversity is the most viable and
effective way for Marks and Spencer to eliminate the issue of shadeism or skin colour
discrimination at its workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Lack of perception
Q7) What are the main advantages and benefits that can be availed by Marks and Spencer
through lading and managing equality and diversity at its place of work?
a) Improved motivation level in employees
b) Enhanced productivity and creativity
c) Better expansion opportunity
d) Positive workplace environment
e) Improved employee engagement
Q8) What kind of role is lead by managers and leaders of Marks and Spencer in reducing
workplace discrimination and issue of shadeism at its place of work?
a) Direct role
b) Indirect role
c) No role
Q9) What are the possible set of ways and strategies that could be employed by Marks and
Spencer to overcome the issue of skin colour discrimination in order to create equality at
its workplace?
a) Adoption of anti –discriminatory polices
b) Fair HR practises
c) Regular diversity training and education
d) Implication of participative leadership
Q10) Any further recommendations for Marks and Spencer to overcome and eliminate
skin colour discrimination from its workplace?
Ethical consideration
Implication of BERA code of ethics is made for meeting ethical consideration along with
adoption of data protection act to maintain the authenticity and privacy of collected data. A prior
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consent and approval is also taken from participants to maintain the ethical consideration in
current study.
RESULTS/FINDINGS
Theme 1: Implication about the concept of shadeism or skin colour discrimination
Q1) Do you having any consideration and implication about the
concept of shadeism or skin colour discrimination?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) Neutral implication 2
c) No 1
Theme 2: Main forms and type of discrimination that are commonly seen in a business
orgnisation
Q2) As per your opinion what could be main forms and type of
discrimination that are commonly seen in a business orgnisation?
Frequency
a) Cultural discrimination 5
b) Age discrimination 3
c) Gender discrimination 5
d) Shadeism or skin colour discrimination 12
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