Investigating Workplace Discrimination's Impact on Tesco Employees

This research report investigates workplace discrimination, focusing on its impact on employee performance and productivity within Tesco PLC. The study utilizes primary and secondary research methods, including questionnaires and literature reviews, to explore the concept of workplace discrimination, its effects, and potential solutions. The report identifies how discrimination negatively affects employee motivation, job satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. It also provides insights into the causes and consequences of workplace discrimination, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive and inclusive work environment. The findings highlight the need for Tesco PLC to implement strategies such as training programs, effective policies, and a supportive work environment to reduce discrimination, improve employee engagement, and achieve organizational objectives. The report concludes with recommendations for addressing workplace discrimination and promoting a more equitable and productive workplace.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK
LIFE BALANCE TO
ACCOMPLISH OBJECTIVES

Abstract:
In this research report, topic is related to the workplace discrimination that refers to the
differences in the race, colour, gender, sex, disability as well as many more things that impacts
negatively on the working environment of a company. So the company Tesco plc appoint a
researcher for conduct a task towards the investigation of impacts of workplace diversity on the
employees productivity and performance that leads in ineffective performance of an organisation
also. In this research, a researcher used primary as well as secondary source and method of data
collection as they used questionnaire for collecting the primary information and perform
literature review for collecting secondary information that are required for the understanding
towards the concept and impacts of this issue. In addition, also includes strategies that should be
required by the company in order to resolve issue of workplace diversity and its impacts and
applied them as per the situations. After analysing all the facts and figures it has been determined
that it negatively impacts on the performance of both employees and organisation which may
leads in the spoiling company reputation as well as profitability as employees are unable to
perform tasks effectively due to the dissatisfaction and demotivation towards the work. So a
company Tesco plc should need to formulate appropriate strategies such as training and
development programmes, effective working policies as well as create positive and favourable
Woking environment for their workers which results in more engagement towards the
performance and contribute more for accomplishing the objectives of organisation.

Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction ..............................................................................................................1
1.1: INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1
1.2: Rationale of the project ..................................................................................................1
1.3: AIM ................................................................................................................................2
1.4: OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................2
1.5: QUESTION.....................................................................................................................2
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................3
2.1: Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
2.2: Concept of Workplace Discrimination............................................................................3
2.3: Impact of Workplace Discrimination on employee performance and productivity level4
2.4: Ways by which company can reduce Workplace Discrimination...................................5
2.5: Conceptual framework....................................................................................................5
2.6: Summary.........................................................................................................................6
Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................7
Chapter 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION....................................................................11
ANALYSIS..........................................................................................................................11
Chapter 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................20
Conclusion............................................................................................................................20
Recommendation..................................................................................................................20
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX A : Questionnaire......................................................................................................24
APPENDIX B : Supervisors Log Sheet.........................................................................................26
I) Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:..............26
II) Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:..........28
Research Approval & Ethics Form................................................................................................30

Chapter One: Introduction
1.1: INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity in workplace can be explained as the process where each and every
individual are given equal chance to perform their work for the purpose of accomplishing the
goal of an organisation (Sharma, 2018). It is necessary in all of the organisation because it helps
to encourage the employees to perform better in future period of time. Discussing about
Workplace discrimination, it is one of the major problem which can be seen in current scenario
and it has the impact on there performance. It is important in context of company that they must
provide equal opportunities to each and every employees so that they can perform their given task
in systematic manner. Workplace discrimination is another problem that is faced by employees
working in an organisation under which unequal treatment is given on the behalf of prejudices set
by the managers or senior level authorities against employees. These prejudices maybe formed on
the basis of an employee's age, sex, caste, religion, disabilities or to the nation they belong. These
prejudicial thoughts and attitudes affect the way in which employees are hired, fired, given
appraisals, given salaries and other incentives, job assignments and other benefits which affect
the personal and professional development of the employees. This discrimination gives rise to
conflicts among the employees and also a feeling of insecurity and uselessness rise among these
employees. This further deteriorates their performance and affects their productivity as they feel
demotivated to perform well. Decrease in the performance of employees also affect the overall
performance of the organisation which affects the way in which the goals and objectives of a
company are achieved. For understanding the impact of workplace discrimination on the abilities
of employees which decrease the way they perform, a research on TESCO plc is done. TESCO
plc is a British multinational retailer which deals in groceries and general merchandise and is the
third largest retailer in the world. There are number of similar form of problem which is faced by
the employees of TESCO and it is necessary that possible solution should be found in order to
accomplish the determined targets on specific time period.
1.2: Rationale of the project
The rationale of researcher behind conducting research project in reference of impact of
workplace discrimination on the performance and productivity level of employees is that this
project will help TESCO to improve its overall performance in the market by integrating its
1

employees and building a friendly environment in the company. The company will also gain a
competitive edge in the market by increasing the efficiency of its employees by reducing
discrimination in the workplace (Colella, 2018). This will also help the researcher in enhancing
and refining their skills and knowledge on the chosen topic which will help in getting future
projects. Also this research will help the researcher to utilize their academic and analytical
abilities so that better interpretation of the information acquired from various sources can be
formed. This will help in making strong recommendations to company so that it can build a
healthy and friendly environment at the workplace which will help in motivating the workers to
perform their tasks in an efficient manner. Also the equal opportunities that will be given to
employees will help in effectively using their capabilities so that the company can grow and
develop in the competitive market. This research will thus benefit both the researcher and
company as researcher will become more skilled and efficient in carrying out efficient research
and drawing good results whereas the company will become more profitable by enhancing the
performance of its employees which will be achieved by reducing workplace discrimination.
1.3: AIM
“To investigate the impact of Workplace Discrimination on employee’s performance and
productivity level. A case study on TESCO Plc.”
1.4: OBJECTIVES
 To understand the concept of Workplace Discrimination
 To identify the impact of Workplace Discrimination on employee performance and
productivity level within the TESCO PLC.
 To determine the ways by which company can reduce Workplace Discrimination within
TESCO PLC.
1.5: QUESTION
 What is the concept of Workplace Discrimination?
 What is the impact of Workplace Discrimination on employee performance and
productivity level within the TESCO PLC?
 What are the ways by which company can reduce Workplace Discrimination within
TESCO Plc?
2

Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1: Introduction.
Literature review is termed as a most important aspect of a research that could assist in
gathering most valuable and reliable information towards a particular research topic. The main
reason behind this section is to identify the research gap and issues in preceding research. In
addition, with the implementation of this investigation a researcher become capable to address all
objectives effectively and efficiently (Alparslan, 2019). This is focused on the literature review of
workplace discrimination and its impact on employees performance and productivity as well as
identify the several; ways in order to reduce these issues.
2.2: Concept of Workplace Discrimination.
As per the view of “Jennifer Lombardo, 2018”, Employment discrimination can be
explained as the unfair treatment with employee's working within the company. There are
different forms of discrimination which can be found within the organisation such as equal pay
compensation, sexual orientation, sex, disability, age and race and so on. It is one of the unlawful
activity which can create lots of conflicts and even it can become major issue in achieving the
goals of an organisation. In addition, it is said that if company is unable to take proper action
against workplace discrimination then it will directly hamper the reputation of company which
raise further issues in future. There are number of laws and regulations which are being
commenced everyday for protecting the rights of employees so that they can easily perform their
work and task in systematic manner for achieving personal milestone as well as organisational
goals.
In different organisation, there are different types of discrimination which can be found.
While talking about Religious discrimination, it can be said that people are being treated
according to the religious belief. For example: if there is the employee who belongs to Muslim
community then there will be doubt that either he/she is here for performing their task or
something else is going on in their mind. Secondly, Age discrimination in which people who
belongs to old age are not treated well in office premisses as new generations doesn't want to take
any sort of help from them. Also, there are some of them who forces old age employees to take
retirement from their job which is not allowed and falls under unlawful and unethical activity.
3

2.3: Impact of Workplace Discrimination on employee performance and productivity level
As per the thought of “Abhijeet Pratap, 2018”, it can be said that discrimination is always
a painful for employee's as they doesn't feel good to perform their activities willingly. Whenever
any of the person is excluded from the workplace then they don't feel themselves connected with
organisation which doesn't allow company to perform better at any of the stage. There are some
of the cases in which it is found that discrimination at workplace has a psychological impact
which can result into depression and anxiety. As major focus of employee is always on conflicts
and words which are being said to them which reduces the productivity level.
Whenever any of the employees faces the problem of discrimination while working
within the company then they are unable to take any of the decision that how they can work for
enhancing their individual performance. While talking about female employees, they are the one
who faces maximum percentage of discrimination within the company. This directly reflects on
their performance as they are unable to deal the organisational situation which occurs in front of
them. Also, whenever there is the employment discrimination then it that situation employee
think about multiple things such as whether they should continue the job or not, what could be
the outcomes if they switches the company.
In short, whenever this types of activity takes place within the company, employees are
unable to perform at their best due to which company have to face number of issues on daily
basis at the time of accomplishing the goals of an organisation. Here, top level management
themselves create problem for them because after certain period of time they doesn't find the
ways that how they need to deal with situation because employees do not want to put there efforts
in organisational activities. Because of all such activity employee doesn't want to continue with
same organisation after certain period of time which means that both employee and organisation
have to suffer from multiple problems because of discrimination at workplace. This are those
issues which can be only sorted out if each and every employees will have proper knowledge
about the topic called discrimination. Here, top level management can guide that how any of the
employees should be treated within the company and if they don't result might create issues for
them in future.
Although company faces number of problem but it is important for them to understand
that they can only deal with situation if they are able to take quick actions on the mistakes which
are performed by the any of the member connected with the company. Also, there should be the
4

policies related to documentation and treating all of the employees equally so that they can work
freely within the company and they can motivated towards their work.
2.4: Ways by which company can reduce Workplace Discrimination.
According to “Joanna Weekes, 2017”, workplace discrimination is one of the major
problem which is being seen and it is important that changes should be done in upcoming period
so that suitable results can be obtained. Discrimination means simply treating any person or
group less favourable as compared to other group. When this sort of activities take place, the
performance of a company automatically declines as employees do not want to connect with
such types of company. Discrimination at workplace only takes place if top level management is
unable to monitor and manage the work of every employees. If company wants to overcome from
this respective problem then they are needed to follow regulatory framework which are designed
to provide equality to every employees. Also, one of the suitable option to sort this problem is
that there should be proper communication which can help to create healthy relation between
each and every employees whether they are male or females.
2.5: Conceptual framework.
It is defined as a analytical tool that can be applied in different kinds of work in order to
make conceptual distinctions as well as organise ideas and concepts effectively. There are many
factors of discrimination such as leadership, climate, culture, HR policy, strategies, structure and
so forth that impacts on the performance and productivity of employees in a business
organisation. In this report, conceptual framework is prepared on the topic of investigation about
the impacts of workplace discrimination on workers performance as well as productivity of Tesco
plc. In order to reduce discrimination Tesco should emphasise on HR practices, policies, structure
and so on (Shen, 2018). All these factors of discriminations impacts on the well being of
individual's as well as organisation that leads in reducing productivity, performance and
profitability as well. For solving the issues and challenges of workplace discrimination from
Tesco working environment, it should be required to formulate effective strategies and culture
that will positively effect employees performance.
5

(Source: Gender inequalities in the workplace, 2019)
2.6: Summary.
In this research project, literature review is done on the topic of workplace discrimination
within an organisation and its impact on the productivity and performance of employees. Firstly,
describe the concept of literature review along with the workplace discrimination that are based
on the differences among employees regarding their age, race, gender, colour, nationality and so
forth that impacts on the entire organisational performance. After that analyse their impacts on
the individuals as well as organisation that are needed to be managed by implementing regulatory
structure of business organisation (Yu, 2019). Lastly, frame a conceptual framework which
describes the discriminations in organisational structure, processes and strategies. All these things
are necessary to study in order to know about the facts and figures that are totally based on the
secondary information or data as it was already investigate by other researchers.
6

Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1: Introduction
Research Methodology is explained as the plans and action which are required to conduct
any of the specific research. It is helpful for every researcher because it tells that how they can
conduct the whole research process in systematic manner. Also, it will tell that what are those
data which can be required while conducting the research. Overall, it gives the idea that how any
of the researcher can conduct whole of the process in successful manner.
3.2: Research philosophy
There are basically two types of research philosophy and they are interpretivism &
positivism. By looking at the requirement of above research it can be said that research will
required interpretivism as it will give them the idea to do evaluate of each and every data in a
systematic manner. While talking about positivism philosophy, it says that research can be done
easily by doing experiments, observation on the specific topic.
3.3: Research Approach: This section is categorised into three different parts and they are
Deductive, Inductive and Abductive. Talking about Deduction approach it will give them the idea
that what percentage of assumption is true and fair. On the other hand, inductive approach is
suitable at the time of developing new theories and concept.
3.4: Research Choice: It is divided into two section and they are qualitative & quantitative. In
term of quantitative, researcher is needed to do group discussion, , interview and other ground
survey. On the other hand, qualitative research is used in the case where there is requirement to
collect relevant information in number and facts. Both of these research is helpful where final
choice is researcher that which one they like to select.
3.5: Time Horizon: It is one of the part of research in which researcher is required to clarify
about the starting and ending time of the project. Gantt Chart is the best option which can help to
accomplish all of the activity within specific time period.
3.6: Research design: It is one of the most essential work for any of the researcher where they
are required to manage the whole research program in systematic manner which can help them to
deal with any sort of issues might arise during research process. It is helpful for researcher in
collecting information and according to that best decisions can be taken. For this research,
descriptive design is much favourable because it will allow to collect all of the importance
aspect for conducting research.
7

3.7: Sources of data: Every researcher have the option to collect data from different sources
where they have the option to go for primary and secondary. In primary source, all of the
information will be collected by conducting interviews and asking questions. While talking about
the secondary, data are mostly collected from different article which justifies that information
might not be true and fair. But, both sources are helpful for the one who is conducting research.
3.8: Data collection techniques: Whenever researcher conduct research, they get multiple option
to conduct research such as conducting interview, observation, questionnaire and so on. But, for
this respective project it will be important to use questionnaire section so that research can be
conducted in a systematic manner.
Q1) Are you aware about the concept of workplace discrimination in an
organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q2) Are you understand the impact of workplace discrimination on the
performance and productivity of employees in Tesco plc?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 20
Q3) What are the main causes of workplace discrimination within a business
organisation?
Frequency
a) National origin 8
b) Disability or generic 15
c) Age, colour and race 17
Q4) How workplace discrimination impacts on the employees productivity and
performance?
Frequency
a) Positively 15
b) Negatively 25
8