Assessing Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: M&S Report

This report delves into the critical importance of equality and diversity within the workplace, focusing on Marks & Spencer as a case study. It begins by outlining the project's objectives, which include defining equality and diversity, assessing M&S's strategies, evaluating challenges, and recommending improvements. The report then details the project management plan, encompassing cost analysis, scope definition, time management (including a Gantt chart), quality assurance, communication strategies, and risk assessment. The research methodology section explores interpretivism, qualitative research, and an inductive approach, along with data collection methods (primary and secondary) and sampling techniques. The report further covers data analysis, including the evaluation of appropriate techniques and tools. Finally, it presents conclusions and recommendations based on the data analysis, reflecting on the learning experience. This report provides a comprehensive overview of diversity and equality in the workplace, offering valuable insights into the strategies and challenges faced by organizations like Marks & Spencer.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
Project objective and aims...........................................................................................................3
Project management plan that cover all essential aspects............................................................4
Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart.................................................................................6
......................................................................................................................................................7
......................................................................................................................................................7
......................................................................................................................................................8
Comprehensive project management plan, project schedules and milestone..............................9
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................9
Research methodologies..............................................................................................................9
Literature review........................................................................................................................11
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................12
Data analysis..............................................................................................................................12
Conclusion and recommendation as result of data analysis.......................................................18
Evaluating appropriate techniques and tools use to analyse data..............................................19
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................19
Reflection...................................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Topic: To identify the importance of Equality and Diversity in workplace.
INTRODUCTION
Diversity and equality in workplace is one of the most important elements, that affects
business progress and productivity. It is the subject that relevant for all workplaces, irrespective
of whether employer employ two or more applicants in company (Ozeren, 2014). The current
report is based on diversity and equality in Marks and Spencer and its importance for business.
This study sets out findings from systematic review of literature on businesses case for diversity
and equality in workplace. The aim of this report is to assure that all employees has right to get
same opportunities and access fair treatment towards management. It explains the aim and
objective of study, project management plan and research methods applied for collecting data.
Furthermore, this report justifies appropriate techniques and tools to analyse information and
clarifies self learning and performance experience.
Company's Background
Marks and Spence is a multinational retailer of UK. Company is dealing in sale of
clothing, food products and home products. Company had a policy of selling only British goods.
Today company has expanded across borders serving large number of customers.
LO 1
Project objective and aims
Aim-
To determine the value and strategies used to improve diversity and equality in
workplace. A case study of: Marks and Spencer.
Objective-
 To define the concept of equality and diversity.
 To asserted different strategies used by Marks & Spencer for implementing diversity and
equality in workplace.
 To evaluate the challenges facing by company due to lack of diversity and equality in
workplace.
 Recommend solutions to enhance and improve equality and diversity in H&M.
Research questions-
 What is concept of diversity and equality?

 What are the varies strategies used by company for utilizing equality and diversity in
workplace?
 What are the challenges faced by M&S due to lack of diversity and equality in company?
 What are the suggestions for improving equality and diversity in workplace?
Project management plan that cover all essential aspects
Project management plan is approved and formal document that defines how work is
controlled, executed and monitored (Saxena, 2014). It refers to detailed or summary document
include baselines, planning documents and subsidiary management plans. This summary will use
to define strategy project team will takes to deliver conscious project management scope of
work. As work proceeds, the progress of project is measured against performance management
standard included in plan. Project manager is accountable for creating project management plan
effectively following inputs from stakeholders and project team. The purpose of producing PMP
is to cater baselines of what has to be gained by work, how it is achieved and who will be
included, how it will be measured and reported and how data will be communicated.
Components of project management plan-
Cost-
It provides both the amount of money being spent, input cost estimated and cost output
calculation which is amount of monetary estimated to be accepted. The total fund required to
complete this project is mentioned below. In simple words, cost is the value of money in research
project that will use to produce work or deliver on time.
Table of expenses for whole research-
Particular Cost
Expenses related to stationary products £160
Expenses on gathering data £300
Cost of printing £60
Cost related to preparing questionnaire £70
Total £ 590
Scope-

This project is quite beneficial and helpful in future work, it helps company during facing
issues or difficulties due to lack of diversity and equality in workplace. The strategies will
mentioned in this project will use by firm to enhance diversity and equality, that will help to
make environment around work place positive. It will help to identify current issues and
implement strategies in order to solve these effectively. With the help of this project researcher
will be able to gain more knowledge about equality and diversity strategies.
Time-
Time is referred to period that is needed for achieving specific aim of this project,
appropriate planning and scheduling of work is essential. Researcher will have to take different
steps for managing time effectively such as monitoring, measuring, scheduling, and controlling
activities during project management plan. In this project Gantt chart will help to see fixed
timeline of work. Researcher will require 6 weeks to complete this project in systematic and
effective manner. To assure that work should be done within time company determine all
activities and aspectc that is considered as components of project.
Quality-
This element is related with all kinds of constraints, it is too similar with scope of
project. Company require developing plan and strategies that help to meet out quality standards,
researcher also develop strategies to measure the quality of work through various tools. In order
to maintain diversity and equality in workplace, M&S will use different tools like benchmarking,
effect and cause analysis to maintain and improve quality of work much better than before.
Communication-
In respect to organization, communication is one of the most essential activity that helps
to share information about workplace situation with other stakeholders effectively through use of
different communication tools. In simple words, it is the act of transferring and sharing
information about quality and diversity in workplace. Manager in company will use tools like
email, message box and other to communicate and interact with their seniors in order to make
discussion based on implementing strategies for improving diversity and equality in workplace.
The aim of this project will complete with the help of effective communication, in which
management and other stakeholders communicate for purpose of taking decision related to
implementing equality and diversity. There are possibilities that the message is not understood in
the same senses in which it has been conveyed. It may effect the operations and performance if

communication channels are not effective. This involves high risk for the company and people
working within.
Risk-
Different types of risk is associated with implementing strategies related to diversity and
equality in workplace. Cost risk, lack of resource, expert opinion and risk that all over activities
will take long time than expectation is considered as various kinds of risk from perceptive of
Marks and Spencer. It described as possibility of failure, uncertainty and loss due to some
reason, it is an uncertain event that affects the objective of work and growth of business. Cost
risks should be met by making effective strategies that will help company in stabilising its
operations in the event of cost failures. Companies are generally in lack of resources and they
should have alternative available so that their operations and workings are not hampered.
Communication risks could be met by taking the proper feedback from the receiver that it is
understood in the same sense. This will avoid conflicts and mismanagement in company.
Resources-
It is strongly related to cost of work, in order to implement plan to improve diversity and
equality in workplace M&S required human resource, funds for training, and other equipments
that helps to achieve their goal.
Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Gantt chart-
It is a timeline use as project management plan or tool to illustrate how work will run and
proceed. With the helps of Gantt chart researcher will be able to view individual tasks,
sequencing of tasks and its duration.

Work break down structure-
WBS is project deliverable that managed or organized by project team perform inot
manageable sections. The purpose of producing work break down structure is to reduce difficult
activities to assemblage of tasks.

Comprehensive project management plan, project schedules and milestone
Comprehensive project management plan include many documents and plan require for
success of work, it consists with milestone activities, structure and more things.
Milestone-
Activity From To
Processing aim and objectives
of research
30/10/19 04/11/19
Analyzing collected data set 05/11/19 10/11/19
Giving appropriate suggestions 12/11/20 16/11/19
With the help of creating outline of project, aims and milestones project management
team will be able to monitor progress of work effectively. Project schedule is created for
monitoring each and every activity related to topic, that must be interconnected with objectives
as well as aim of project.
LO 2
Research methodologies
It is described as specific method or procedure will use to determine, identify, analyse
and process information about chosen topic. In project, research methodologies will allow
researcher and reader to critically measure work overall reliability and validity.
Research philosophy-
It believes in way in which essential data about phenomenon will be collected, use and
analysed in effective manner. Research philosophy is deal with development, nature and other
things of knowledge (Koro-Ljungberg, 2015). Pragmatism philosophy, positivism and
interpretivism research philosophy are the three different types of this method. In this project,
researcher uses interpretivism philosophy for conducting report to measure initiatives and
strategies taken by M&S to develop equality and diversity in workplace. Through this method,
research is able to interpret components of whole study effectively and also attain the aim i.e. To
determine the value and strategies used to improve diversity and equality in workplace in better
manner.
Research type-

This methodology is divided into two concepts that is quantitative and qualitative
research. Quantitative research means correct investigation of phenomena by gathering data
which is quantitative in nature. On the other qualitative research is scientific procedures of
observation use by researcher to collect information about topic that is non-numerical.
Researcher uses quantitative and qualitative method in order to draw appropriate conclusion with
the help better findings (Higginbottom and Liamputtong, 2015). Further, Researcher chooses
qualitative research strategy in order to conduct the research in better manner and also attain the
aim i.e. s To determine the value and strategies used to improve diversity and equality in
workplace. Moreover, this method also helps the researcher to interpret the views of all selected
respondents so that it will help to answer the research questions as well.
Research approach-
Research approach is defined as plan and process that include valuable steps of
assumptions to method of collection, data analysis and interpretation. It is totally depended upon
features of issues related to research. Research approach is of three types, inductive, abductive
and deductive. Researcher in report uses inductive research method because it contributes to
explore determined and phenomena themes. This approach help investigator to develop new
assumptions and concept from data gathered. Using an inductive research approach, the
researcher also meet the aim i.e. To determine the value and strategies used to improve diversity
and equality in workplace and conduct the research in more precise or systematic manner.
Data collection-
It is the term of collecting information about chosen topic by using different relevant and
authentic sources to cater answer in better way, to measure outcomes and to test assumptions.
Data collection is divided into two types that is secondary and primary methods. Researcher uses
both data collection methods, in context of primary data procedure of survey is use for gathering
data from participants. In respect of secondary data, information is collected through journals,
books and other sources. Primary data collection method help researcher to get accurate
information, as it considered as good source of up to date and latest information as they collect it
directly from company in real time about diversity and equality in workplace. Secondary data
gathering method is also beneficial for researcher as it help to reduce risk of expenditure.
Sampling-

Sampling is defined as particular principles that researcher uses for choosing members
from large population to be included in report. They needed to select certain size of sample, due
wider number of applicant in company. Non probability and probability are the two category of
sampling method. Researcher chose simple random sampling method under probability in
which 40 workers of M&S are selected because it supports to take varied view points from
participants in respect to attain the defined aim i.e. To determine the value and strategies used to
improve diversity and equality in workplace.
Data analysis-
Data analysis is the procedure or method of transforming, modelling, examining and
cleansing data with reason of generating accurate information, informing conclusion and
supporting decision taking (Peters and Halcomb, 2015). Data analysis is divided into two
categories quantitative and qualitative and researcher chooses thematic data analysis under
qualitative data analysis because it is the flexible approach that will be changed as per demand
and needs of investigator easily without any side effects on further analysis. Through this
method, researcher also uses graphs, tables and charts in order to present the views of different
selected respondents so that scholar may easily attain the defined aim and objectives.
Ethical consideration-
This stage is referred to collection of values and principles that considered questions of
what is good and bad in concern of people. Researcher has to taken focus all ethical
consideration and follow it during conducting entire research in order to get better results. They
take care of participants chosen for collecting appropriate information about work environment
with diversity and quality.
Literature review
Theme 1: Concept of diversity and equality
As per view of Martínez Palacios, 2016 diversity means understanding that each worker
in company is unique and special, it helps to recognize employees differences. These along
dimensions of ethnicity, age, race, religions beliefs, sexual, political beliefs, gender and other
ideologies. Equality is very essential element for company which they can use to build strong
workforce in workplace effectively. Strachan, Adikaram and Kailasapathy, 2015 contradict that
equality and diversity is important for business, both to assure that group of people and
individuals are treated equally with less favourably. It has become the most significant part of

workforce management that helps to enhance productivity of staff rather than before. Diversity
and equality are two different but have an significant importance in an organisation. Being a
multinational company it has to operate over nations and people with diverse backgrounds. It is
essential for the company to ensure that people with diverse culture are treated equally and
without any discrimination
Theme 2: Different types of strategies to implement equality and diversity in workplace
According to Adamson and et.al., 2016 diversity in workplace is important for workers
growth because it manifests themselves in building good reputation for organization,
opportunities for staff and leading to increase productivity. In order to build diversified
workforce management has to implement and create new strategies related to topic which is
beneficial for them as to increase profit margin. Accommodative is the strategic response for
managing and implementing diversity at workplace. Along with this, equal pay is one of the best
strategy considered for implementing equality in business.
Klein, 2016 stated that company will use different types of strategies for developing
diversity and equality in workplace, they can train older workers as well as younger ones equally
without placing any differences that affects on its performance and work abilities in negative
way.
Theme 3: Challenges faced by organization due to lack of diversity and equality
As discussed by Jnssens and Zanoni, 2014 business will face difficult time due to lack of
equality and diversity in workplace that effect productivity of company as well as workers. It is
not good for market position and reputation of organization, it might be decrease consumer base
and allow people to switch from another brand for purchasing products. Gawrych, (2019)
elucidated that management of company also face other challenges due to these issues that effect
on profitability rather than productivity.
LO 3
Data analysis
Theme 1: Do you understand the concept of equality and diversity?
Do you understand the concept of equality and diversity?
Yes 25
No 15

Interpretation- Diversity and equality is most essential elements for business as it helps
to lead success and growth within marketplace effectively. Both help to assure that all the
workers are having same access to develop their career better than before. 25 participants are
able to understand the significance and value of diversity and equality, they place demand for
same while working in multinational company. In respond to secondary research, author stated
that diversity and equality is source of building strong team. On the other hand, out of 40 15
respondents do not be able to understand the meaning and importance of both components they
work with the actual situation without placing any complain or demand. If a company is not able
to develop an environment that has equality in diversity it may affect the growth of company as
per Thompson, (2016). Company is not seen as having high values where employees are
discriminated. It is important to educate people about the equality and diversity as there is
considerable figure that are not aware about the concepts.
Theme 2: In your opinion do you think that diversity is important in M&S?
In your opinion do you think that diversity is important in M&S?
Yes 35
No 5

Interpretation- Diversity of business place same value on all applicants within
organization, by placing the positive importance on differences. According to 35 participants
they think that diversity is essential for company as it help to create positive environment in
entire business structure (Sheehan and Anderson, 2015). Firm develop diversity strategy to build
expert team in which each member is able to perform highly effective. It helps to reduce negative
stereotypes and personal biases about various teams. Strategies for diversity allow management
of organization work with variety of different perspectives that achieve business objective and
aims. On the other side, accordant to 5 respondents, equality is important than diversity they
believe that company will develop strategies to reduce inequality in workplace. Diversity is
important for ever company as it will help company to know the backgrounds of different
cultures and nations where it intends to sell its products in view of Klein, (2016).
Theme 3: Do you think that equality in workplace impact on workers' performance?
Do you think that equality in workplace impact on workers' performance?
Yes 35
No 5

Interpretation- Equality refer to the state of being equal and same at all the level in
company. Out of 40, 35 participant give their opinion about equality in workplace, they think
that it is quite beneficial and effective for business growth. Equality between middles class
workers and high lifestyle applicant will lead to success of organization in market. When
manager pay wages to all then workers equally they can create environment which enhance the
performance of all the employees effectively. By promoting equality for all staff member, HRM
gain many benefits as they retain skilled labour with them for longer. Whereas, 5 participant
think that diversity in workplace is affecting on employees performance more than equality.
Theme 4: Who lead responsibility for managing and implementing diversity and equality
in work place?
Who is accountable for managing and implementing diversity and equality in work place?
Manager 38
Human resource department 2

Interpretation- Diversity and equality in workplace leads to increased creativity and
higher innovation rate. According to 38 respondents, manager is accountable for managing
diversity and equality in work areas where number of workers working at same platform in order
to achieve common goal (Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace, 2018). They maintain it
successfully with the help of taking opinion of all the workers while taking decision for
implementing change in workplace that enhance productivity and profitability. In respond to
secondary research, author said that diversity and equality is the factors that impact on business
success for longer. Out of 40, few workers think that human resource department is responsible
for implementing and reduce inequality in workplace through improve practices. Greene, (2019)
have stated that managers are responsible for implementing the equality in workplaces. In every
organisation process flows from top to bottom therefore if the managers do not value these
concepts it will not be followed by the organisation.
Theme 5: How do you promote equality and diversity in workplace?
How do you promote equality and diversity in workplace?
Create inclusive culture 39
Training and development 1

Interpretation- 39 respondent think that with the help of creating inclusive culture in
company for all employees, management promote diversity and equality in workplace efficiently
(Oswick and Noon, 2014). Employer has to show evidence that any action is reasonably
considered and will not discriminate against others. Women and men are equally paid by
company for their hard work, which is increased after analysing performance better than before.
1 participant give their point of view which is quite different from above stated judgement,
accordant to them by creating plan of training and development for all workers human resource
department will promote diversity and equality in work area.
Theme 6: According to you what are the challenges faced by M&S due to inequality and
lack of diversity?
What are the challenges faced by M&S due to inequality and lack of diversity?
Reduce productivity 39
Decrease profitability 1

Interpretation- Due to inequality organization face many issues as it resulted in
decreasing performance of staff. According to 39 participants, company face major problem due
to lack of equality in workplace that directly impact on productivity of staff as well as business.
On the other hand, in respond to secondary research, inequality decrease profitability,
management due to this loss their skilled labour that effect production procedure. 1 respondent
believe that inequality and lack of diversity impact profit margin and growth of company.
Productivity will be affected by these concepst and productivity is related to
Theme 7: Recommendation for developing equality and to build diverse workforce?
Recommendation for developing equality and to build diverse workforce?
Performance recognizance 34
Support of leader 6

Interpretation- It is very important to develop equality and similarity between all
workers working in company. 34 participants believe that with the help of recognizing
performance equally without discrimination manager develop health and positive environment.
while 6 participants think that leader support help to build diverse workforce.
Conclusion and recommendation as result of data analysis
Conclusion-
From above analysis, it has been concluded that diversity and equality in workplace play
vital role in growth and success of M&S for longer. By creating new strategies, they can promote
equality among their staff members effectively (Roulstone and Williams, 2014). It has been
summarized that all employees perform highly effective when they acquire same career
development opportunities and chance while doing job in organization.
Recommendation-
In respond to researcher, they are recommended to use other research methods along with
primary and secondary they must collect data from online sources and by reading books (Kirton
and Greene, 2015). Researcher must use positivism research philosophy which is also beneficial
for research as it help to providing better results after analysing data.
In respond to company, manager should measure the performance of workers base on
abilities, they must pay equal wages and salary packages to employees work at same position
without making any differences. Manager should have adequate communication channels where

employees can complaint about their issues. Management should take immediate actions over
any act of discrimination taking place in company.
Evaluating appropriate techniques and tools use to analyse data
Researcher uses secondary as well as primary data analysis method in this study,
secondary method help to low cost of acquire knowledge and information related to subject of
project. They attracted to secondary research because acquiring this data is much less costly that
when researcher had to get out of investigation themselves.
Primary research is also beneficial for researcher, while using this method investigator
will collect data and all information through relevant and original sources and have degree of
accuracy that is very high.
LO 4
Reflection
At the starting level of conducting this research I had faced some issues due to lack of
motivation which effect my performance. I have to improve my work activities in order to get
better finding and results, I would communicate to other people for collecting data that is quite
impressive because with the help of communication I will be able to gain more knowledge that
enhance my performance. Through using secondary and primary research I am able to help
company and recommend some strategies which is highly affecting and made positive impact on
organization as results increasing profit margin. I at the personal level have learnt that if an
organisation do not have an environment where are all are treated equally it is not possible to
give best for an employee. I have learnt that organisation that support diverse culture are filled
with numerous new and creative ideas that helps in personal development of person along with
employees.
CONCLUSION
From above, it has been summarized that diversity and equality increase productivity of
employees and M&S when they implement these in workplace effectively. It provides external
and internal business benefits that helps to gain competitive advantages within marketplace or
specific sector in which company operate since for so long. Furthermore, researcher produce
project management plan in this study that defines work in detail, established boundaries of
project and cater tracking mechanism against formulated baseline. It has been concluded that,

strategies for diversity and equality is beneficial for all the workers in company as it help to
retain experienced people with organization for longer period.

REFERENCES
Book and Journals
Adamson, M and et.al., 2016. The quality of equality: thinking differently about gender
inclusion in organizations. Human Resource Management International Digest.
Benschop, Y. and Van den Brink, M., 2014. Power and resistance in gender equality strategies:
Comparing quotas and small wins. The Oxford handbook of gender in organizations,
pp.332-352.
Higginbottom, G. and Liamputtong, P. eds., 2015. Participatory qualitative research
methodologies in health. Sage.
Janssens, M. and Zanoni, P., 2014. Alternative diversity management: Organizational practices
fostering ethnic equality at work. Scandinavian Journal of Management. 30(3). pp.317-
331.
Kirton, G. and Greene, A.M., 2015. The dynamics of managing diversity: A critical approach.
Routledge.
Klarsfeld, A and et.al., 2016. Comparative equality and diversity: main findings and research
gaps. Cross Cultural & Strategic Management. 23(3). pp.394-412.
Klein, U., 2016. Gender equality and diversity politics in higher education: Conflicts, challenges
and requirements for collaboration. In Women's Studies International Forum (Vol. 54,
pp. 147-156). Pergamon.
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methodology. Sage Publications.
Martínez Palacios, J., 2016. Equality and diversity in democracy: how can we democratize
inclusively?. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal. 35(5/6).
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science and therapy. Routledge.
Oswick, C. and Noon, M., 2014. Discourses of diversity, equality and inclusion: trenchant
formulations or transient fashions?. British Journal of Management. 25(1). pp.23-39.
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Peters, K. and Halcomb, E., 2015. Interviews in qualitative research. Nurse Researcher
(2014+). 22(4). p.6.
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Online
Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.talentlyft.com/en/blog/article/244/top-10-benefits-of-diversity-
in-the-workplace-infographic-included>

Questionnaire-
 Do you understand the concept of equality and diversity?
◦ Yes
◦ No
 In your opinion do you think that diversity is important in M&S?
◦ Yes
◦ No
 Do you think that equality in workplace impact on workers' performance?
◦ Yes
◦ No
 Who lead responsibility for managing and implementing diversity and equality in
work place?
◦ Manager
◦ Human resource department
 According to you what are the challenges faced by M&S due to inequality and lack
of diversity?
◦ Decrease productivity
◦ Decrease probability
 Recommendation for developing equality and to build diverse workforce?