Evaluating Employee Relations: Training and Development at Sainsbury

This research project evaluates employee relations, specifically focusing on training and development initiatives at Sainsbury. The report begins by outlining the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by an assessment of factors influencing project selection and the rationale behind the study. A literature review provides context, and the methodology section details the use of a qualitative approach with a sample of Sainsbury's employees. The findings, derived from survey data, highlight the positive impact of employee relations on motivation, the effectiveness of training and development, and the significance of company culture. The report concludes with recommendations for improving employee relations through enhanced communication and strategic training programs, emphasizing the crucial role of these elements in achieving organizational goals. The report also includes the consideration of ethical issues, detailed plans and procedures, and a comprehensive discussion of the data analysis process.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Formulating and recording possible research project specification outlines...............................3
Background..................................................................................................................................3
Research aim and Objectives.......................................................................................................3
Research question........................................................................................................................4
Identify and assess the factors that contribute to the research project selection..........................4
The purposes of the research.......................................................................................................4
Rationale for choice of research..................................................................................................4
Undertaking critical review of references....................................................................................5
Potential research outcomes.........................................................................................................5
Consideration of ethical issues....................................................................................................5
Methodology to be used...............................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
Plan and procedures for agreed research specification................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
Literature review..........................................................................................................................7
Research methodology.................................................................................................................8
Data analysis..............................................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
Summarizing the findings .........................................................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................14
Recommendation and Justifying areas for further consideration..............................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
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TASK 1
Title: To evaluate employee relation: Training and development at Sainsbury
Formulating and recording possible research project specification outlines
Background
In the modern era that is highly competitive the role of employee relation is significant
for the business in attaining the success for longer duration of time. The major asset of every
organization is its employees. There is none of the organization that can conduct business
operations without the absence of personnel. It is significant for the employer to maintain
relationships with the personnel with greater effectiveness so that functions of organization can
be managed in smooth manner (Ouimet and Zarutskie, 2014). This would make sure that
personnel are performing to their best. The concept of employee relation can be regarded as the
efforts that can be made by the organization with the aim to keep sound relationship among
employee as well as employer. The business having sound employee relations program provides
consistent and fair treatment to the personnel which is turn makes them loyal towards the
organization.
The proposed investigation focuses on maintaining employees relation for Sainsbury. The
report would be comprised of tool that can assist in maintenance of relationship with personnel.
Further the research lay emphasis on making assessment of the role of training and development
in maintaining effective relationship with personnel. In addition to this it involves significance of
employee relations. In order to assess employee relationship Sainsbury is taken into account. The
firm is the second largest supermarket chain in United Kingdom.
Research aim and Objectives
The aim of the present research is to evaluate employee relation: Training and
development at Sainsbury. For the purpose of carrying out investigation various objectives are
devised. These are enumerated as under:
 To explore the concept of employee relation
 To assess the significance of maintaining employee relation
 To determine factors influencing employee relationship
 To make evaluation of role of training and development in maintenance of employee
relation
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 To recommend alternative methods for maintaining relationship among employees
Research question
 What is the concept as well as importance of employee relation?
 What are the factors affecting employee relation?
 How training and development can act as an aid in maintenance of relationship among
employees with respect to Sainsbury?
 What can be other strategies which can be utilized for maintaining employee relation?
Identify and assess the factors that contribute to the research project selection
The purposes of the research
There is presence of several factors that has acted as an aid in selection of the research
project by the researcher. For the proposed investigation on employee relation the factors that
has contributed in the research project selection have been enumerated in the manner stated as
under: Scope of the study: The selection of the research project is done in order to explore the
topic that has wider scope. This has significant role in making selection of the area for the
research project. The subject having broader scope is chosen by the researcher so as
carrying out further investigation. There is wider scope of the proposed investigation.
 Limited number of investigation on the particular topic: Another factor that assist in
selection research project relates with number of researches that are being carried out on
particular subject matter. The gaps in the previous literatures is investigated in an
effective manner. Such facilitates in selecting employee relation as the subject for further
research.
Rationale for choice of research
In the present investigation the major research issue is related with number of employees
that are leaving the job. This reflects that the employees are not being motivated in an effective
manner. This affects the retention of the personnel to as significant level. It is being assessed that
such is an issue now as in the present competitive market there is greater need towards
possessing talent by the organization in order to gain advantage over competition. Thus it
become important for the organization to main sound relationship with the personnel.
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Undertaking critical review of references
Potential research outcomes
The potential research outcome that are being expected needs to be in accordance with
the objectives of the present investigation. It is required to present that there is greater role of
training and development in maintaining the relationship among the employees. Further it
presents the factors that are affecting the employee relation to a significant level. It is important
that the findings from the investigation leads to attainment of the planned research objectives.
Consideration of ethical issues
This is regarded as most important aspect for the purpose of carrying out investigation.
With the assistance of ethical norms that investigation can be accomplished with greater
effectiveness. Prior approval: The respondents of the investigation might not agree towards
participating in the research. In relation with this principle of voluntary participation the
respondents need not be forced to take part in the investigation.
 Confidentiality: It is required to be made sure bu the analyst that the data attained from
the investigator must not be shared to anyone who is not the part of investigation.
Methodology to be used
It can be determined that investigation plays imperative role that needs immense amount
of concentration as well as focus. Thus it is important that all the techniques of investigation are
planned with greater effectiveness (Jackson,2010). Research methodology makes assessment of
the manner in which particular and accurate data is being collected. For the proposed research
realism philosophy would be employed. Along with this the research approach that would be
applied from the present investigation will be inductive. Research design is the blue print that
assist in carrying out the research forward. In this present investigation exploratory research
design is being employed in an effective manner. In order to carry out the investigation it is
significant for the researcher to make collection of the data. This presents data collection through
sources such as primary and secondary. The data gathered needs to be analyzed. In this regard
the present investigation makes use of tool that is qualitative analysis. The present research is
qualitative in nature. Thus through this the researcher would be able to gain responses of the
respondents that can assist in drawing valid outcome from the investigation. The sample size for
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the present research is 20. This includes employees of Sainsbury that are selected on random
basis.
TASK 2
Plan and procedures for agreed research specification
Planning has significant role in order to conduct the research in an effective manner. This
is due to the reason that it assist in gaining knowledge regarding the issues under research. The
plan for the present investigation has been enumerated in manner as under:
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Writing the research proposal
Reading and understanding the literature
Finalization of the objectives
Drafting the literature review
Collection of secondary data
Analysis of the secondary data
Development of research approach
Drafting of research methodology
Formulating the questionnaire
Arranging interviews
Conducting interview
Gathering of information
Findings of the Draft
Evaluation of the data
Finalizing other chapters
Draft findings chapter
Submission to tutor and awaiting feedback
Revising the final draft
Printing and binding
Submit
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TASK 3
Literature review
Concept of employee relation and its importance
As per the view of Gomes, Asseiro and Ribeiro, (2013) it can be identified that employee
relation states that it is the business efforts to manage and control the relationship among both
management and workers. In any business employee relation play an important role as it
provides fair treatment to all the workers so that they are well committed to their jobs and work
in a very effective manner to achieve the goal of the business. This employee relation program
enhances workers capability towards work and also gaining a fair loyalty from them. Thus,
employee loyalty program helps to prevent and overcome the problems that are arising in the
business. So, business should adopt a different human strategies and to plan the actions
effectively such: as pay and benefits work life balance and safe working condition etc. Human
resource tactic is one of the important tool for the firm to ensure good employee relation to
develop high value on workers as stakeholders in the business.
According to the author Tims and et.al., (2015) employee relation is very signification for
any business to set a goal and achieve it in the effective manner. In any company workers
indiscipline arrived when they do not accepted the norms of company. If any increasing in
absenteeism, slow performance and grievances etc in that case a firm ensure that proper steps
would be taken so that workers' behavior can be raised as per the expectations.
Identifying factors influencing employee relationship
According to the Long, Perumal and Ajagbe, (2012) it can be state that industrial
relationship means the relationship among workers and management. Workers relations are
identified by various factors that affect the relationship between employees and management.
These are as follows- Unions- this is one of the important factors that affects employee relations. In the view of
Mowday, Porter and Steers, (2013) it can be state that through establishment of union
employees' productivity is to be achieved in the organization.
 Communication- Effective communication in the organization affects the employee
relation. By using the effective communication at the workplace the goal of business is to
be achieved and the overall performance is to be increased.
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 Motivation: According to the Odhong and Omolo, (2014) it can be assessed that
workers' motivation at workplace affect the overall and internal relationship with
management. So it is very necessary for the individual to develop confidence in
communicating to enhanced the production. If firm includes its employees in decision
making it will give a positive impact in the working relationships. So rather than punish
the employee for poor performance motivated in that poor performance so that put their
more efforts.
Role of training and development in maintaining employee relation
According to Sisson, (2008) it can be identified that role of training and development is a
most important factor that helps individuals in maintaining workers relation so that goal which is
to be st is attained effectively. Training helps employee to enhance their skill and capability
towards the work and develops themselves. Through the training program are conducted in the
company employee not only develop themselves in their own field but rather put their effort on
other areas. Organizing formal training sessions helps employee to develop their career
development
Activity within business. Thus, training and development is essential in creating activity
that leads to skill development like job rotation, cross training, mentoring, internship and
coaching etc. through these a fruitful relationship exist. Organization should conduct proper
supervision for identify the roles and duties of individual members so that development plan can
be built. Thus training helps in building the systematic relationship among employees. Both on
the job training and off the job training should be conducted on the company as per as the need
of an employee.
Research methodology
In the present part several facets relating with research methodology including
philosophy, design, approach, data collection as well as research type would be assessed. Such
have been enumerated in the manner as under: Research philosophy: It is being assessed that research philosophy facilitates the
researcher in making production of knowledge as well as understanding in relation with
the subject matter. There is presence of four major kinds of research philosophy. Such
includes positivism, interpretivism, realism and pragmatism (Forzano, 2011). For the
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present investigation realism philosophy is being implemented. This is because it is one
that lay emphasis on the assumptions. Therefore it makes efforts in making assessment of
the subjective nature of the people. However this philosophy can be utilized for exploring
subjective nature of the personnel regarding training and development programs for the
purpose of building employee relation. Research approach: It is being assessed that approach acts as an aid in making
establishment of theory as well as models in relation with subject matter. There are of
two kinds. Such involves inductive as well as deductive. In the present investigation
inductive research approach has been adopted. This is because it demonstrates the
concept related with employee relation by the means of making adoption of training and
development program. This can differ from person to person. Research design: It facilitates in determining the quality of the investigation. In this
relation it acts as an aid in making preparation of systematic plan for the issue (Friese,
2012). The major aim beside adoption of suitable research design is towards enhancing
the quality of the study. There is presence of several kind of research design that includes
descriptive, exploratory as well as experimental. For the purpose of carrying out present
investigation exploratory research design would be employed. Data collection: It is comprised of two kinds of data collection that includes primary as
well as secondary. Primary data is being reflected as first hand information that is present
for the users for the purpose of conducting the investigation (Goddard and Melville,
2004). It involves the tools such as interview, survey, questionnaire, direct observation as
well as focus group. In contrast to this secondary data collection acts as an aid in
gathering data that has already been utilized in other investigation. Under primary source
the data collection is done through survey technique. However this is appropriate in
collection of greater data as with this perception can be gained regarding the individuals.
 Data analysis: In this researcher needs to make selection of suitable tool for making
evaluation so that strong outcomes can be generated (Golafshani, 2003). Moreover in the
present study data would be assessed by the means of graphs as well as figures. Further
the data gathered would be presented in form of graph so that evaluation can be done in
an effective manner. In this regard data collection through qualitative measure is
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incorporated in present research. For this themes would be developed. This is because it
is regarded as one of the suitable tool that can assist in making assessment of qualitative
data.
Data analysis
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Gender:
Designation:
1. From how long you are working in Sainsbury?
 Less than one year
 1-2 years
 3-5 years
 More than five year
2. Do you agree with the view that employee relation act as an aid in motivating employees?
 Yes
 No
3. What is your level of agreement with the view that training and development is suitable tool
that facilitates in developing relationship among employees?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neither agree nor disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
4. Are you satisfied with training program established by Sainsbury?
 Yes
 No
5. From amongst the following which factor influence employee relation?
 Unions
 Wages
 Motivation
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 Communication
 Company culture
6. Why employee relation is important?
 Employee loyalty
 Productivity
 Conflict reduction
7. Suggest alternative strategies which can be utilized by Sainsbury for developing employee
relation?
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Findings
Theme1: Employee relation act as an aid in motivating employees
Responses Number of respondent Percentage
Yes 14 70.00%
No 6 30.00%
Findings: When the personnel of Sainsbury were asked regarding whether relationship among
personnel facilitates in motivating employees. 14 respondents replied yes to the view. However 6
employees said no.
Theme 2: Training and development is suitable tool that facilitates in developing
relationship among employees
Responses Number of respondent Percentage
Strongly agree 5 25.00%
Agree 6 30.00%
Neither agree nor disagree 3 15.00%
Disagree 2 10.00%
Strongly disagree 4 20.00%
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Findings: When the personnel of Sainsbury were asked regarding whether training and
development is suitable tool that facilitates in developing relationship among employees 5
respondents strongly agree and 6 agrees to the statement. However 3 employees neither agrees
not disagrees with the statement. On the other hand 2 respondents disagree with the view. Along
with this 4 employees strongly disagree with the statement.
Theme3: Satisfied with training program established by Sainsbury
Responses Number of respondent Percentage
Yes 15 75.00%
No 5 25.00%
Findings: When the personnel of Sainsbury were asked regarding whether they are satisfied with
the training program established by Sainsbury 15 respondents replied yes. However 5 employees
said no to the view.
Theme 4: Company culture is one of the factor influencing employee relation
Responses Number of respondent Percentage of responses
Wages 3 15.00%
Company culture 7 35.00%
Motivation 1 5.00%
Communication 5 25.00%
Unions 4 20.00%
Findings: On asking the personnel regarding the factors that affects the employee relation 3
respondents replied wages, 7 employees say company culture, 1 respondent say motivation as the
factors influencing relationship among employees. On the other hand 5 personnel replied
communication and 4 out of 20 say unions.
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