The Importance of Equality and Diversity at Aviva plc: A Research

This report, focusing on Aviva plc, investigates the critical role of equality and diversity in enhancing staff performance. The introduction highlights the importance of a diverse culture for organizational success and employee motivation. The main body delves into the background of the research, the aims and objectives, and a comprehensive literature review examining the impact of equality and diversity on employee performance, the roles of leaders and managers in fostering an inclusive environment, and the positive and negative implications of diversity. The research methodology outlines the use of primary and secondary data, qualitative and quantitative approaches, sampling techniques, and project management tools like Gantt charts and work breakdown structures. The report concludes with recommendations and a reflection on the research process.

RESEARCH
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Background of research...............................................................................................................3
Literature review..........................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................................6
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................19
Reflection...................................................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
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Title - "To evaluate the importance of equality and diversity in enhancing the staff performance."
A research conducted on Aviva plc.
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is one of the crucial component of organisation and it is very
important for company to enhance diverse culture (Michie, 2019). This will lead to have major
impact on performance of organisation as well as motivate staff member to conduct business task
more effectively. There are different ways that can be used by company in order to enhance
equality and diversity activities with in organisation. This report is based on Aviva Plc company.
This is a British insurance company that is operating its business activities in different part of the
world. This company is dealing financial service industry and it is providing different types of
financial services to customers. Aviva plc company was founded in 2000 and its headquarter is
located in London, United Kingdom. This report will includes the impact on equality and
diversity on this company. There are different methods and approaches is used in order to collect
most appropriate data for conducting different activities of research.
MAIN BODY
Background of research
This research project is based on Aviva plc organisation that is one of the leading British
company. This is a multinational organisation that is offering its products and services to
different part of the world. Aviva plc company is considered as the largest general insurer
company as well as provide pensions to different types of clients.
Aims
" To understand the role of leaders and manager in managing equality and diversity at
workplace in order to enhance performance and efficiency of employees."
Objectives
 To review the impact of equality and diversity on performance of employees.
 To understand the role of leaders and manager in managing equality and diversity at
workplace.
 To evaluate the various positive and negative implications of equality and diversity on
overall performance and success of Aviva plc.
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Literature review
To review the impact of equality and diversity on performance of employees.
According to Louise Petty, 2016, Equality and diversity is one of the essential topic at the
workplace and now it is essential for every firm to adopt practices related to equality and
diversity because it impact positively on the performance of employees (How Equality &
Diversity Improves Your Workplace: Examining the Benefits, 2020). There are several
legislations which are adopted by a company in order to develop and maintain equality and
diversity practices such as Equality Act, Sex Discrimination Act, Race Relations Act,
Disabilities Discrimination Act, Human Rights Act and many more. In order to implement
equality and diversity company need to consider list of characteristics on the basis of which they
need to develop practices such as gender reassignment, age, disabilities, marriage and civil
partnership, maternity and pregnancy and many more. According to study when an organization
implement equality as well as diversity practices at their workplace employees feel motivated
because they get equal chance and it also help in promoting positive working environment. In
addition to this there are also several other impacts on employee’s performance due to equality
and diversity culture such as it encourage employees to conduct work properly because they feel
that they are essential part of the company and company’s goal is their goal so they give their
best of attain it. Through respective practices or activities staff get equal opportunities of growth
as well as no one conduct discrimination with them which motivate them and increase their
performance quality as well as by it company productivity get enhanced and it will also lead to
high customer’s satisfaction. So it is essential for each and every firm to adopt as well as
implement practices related to equality and diversity so that they can also enhance productivity
of employees as well as it will also help them in promoting positive working environment
successfully. Moreover it also help firm in enhancing their production, profitability ratio, market
shares and goodwill at potential marketplace.
To understand the role of leaders and manager in managing equality and diversity at the
workplace.
According to the article given on MSG (Management study guide), 2020, There are
several role played by manager and leader of a company in order develop as well as maintain
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equality and diversity at the workplace. Some of the main role in which leader and manager of a
company get engaged for maintaining equality and diversity at workplace are given below:-
 Leader and manager of an organization ensure that each and every individual at the
workplace follow all policies, rules and regulation in order to maintain equality and
diversity. They also ensure that no discrimination activities will conducted at their
workplace on the basis of age, gender, colour, religion, belief, language and many more.
 Leader and manager also engaged in appraisals as well as incentives plan, so while
conducting respective practices they ensure that they treat each and every employee
equally (Role of Management in Managing Organizational Diversity, 2020). This is so
because through it they able to develop as well as maintain equality and diversity at the
workplace.
 It is also role of leader and manager to encourage all employees to celebrate each and
every festival in order to accept and maintain equality as well as diversity at the
workplace. Along with this it will also help in motivating employees and encouraging to
positive working culture.
 Leader and manger also need to develop proper strategies, rules, policies and regulations
so that every employee follow equality and diversity practices at the workplace strictly.
These rules, regulation and policies are for all employer as well as employees of the
workplace. This is so because that will help in minimizing change of discrimination and
lead to positive working culture.
These are main roles which are played by manager and leader of an organization in order to
develop as well as maintain equality and diversity their workplace. This will also help them in
maintaining goodwill and retaining employees for the long period of time at the workplace.
To evaluate the various positive and negative implication of equality and diversity on
overall performance and success of Aviva Plc.
As per the perspective of article given on Future of Working, 2020, like everything
equality and diversity also have several positive and negative aspects which are necessary to be
considered by manager and leader of a company (20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity
in the Workplace, 2020). This is so because through that they able to take effective decision
which will base on situation of workplace. Below some positive and negative aspects of equality
as well as diversity are given:-
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Positive aspect of equality and diversity at workplace
 Through adopting equality and diversity at the workplace employees able to understand
about their strengths which help them in increase their productivity at workplace.
 Equality and diversity also help minority workers to get numbers of job opportunities at
the good workplace.
 By adopting and implementing equality and diversity company able to access more
talented candidates because every individual get equal opportunities to showcase their
talent and effectiveness.
 Equality and diversity also help in increasing productivity of employees because when
they get equal opportunity they then feel connected toward the workplace. This will also
beneficial for company because they able to increase their profitability ratio and market
shares.
Negative aspect of equality and diversity at workplace
 Equality and diversity create too many options for companies which impact on the
performance of existing employees. This will happen because they feel insure in their job
profile as well as they always have fear of getting fired due to some better candidate.
 Too much diversity at the workplace leads to communication issues because at a
company not everyone knows the same language. So there will be high change that when
same language people meet they develop group and tease to other which lead to conflict
situation.
These are some of the positive and negative aspect of equality and diversity which are faced
by a company when they adopt it in their business operations and functions.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is used for the purpose of having a in depth knowledge of analysis
of information based on given topics of research. This is a section that is helpful in gathering of
information and it includes various techniques as discussed below:
Primary data: It is a form of data that is sued by researcher in their research work. There
are various sources that can be used for the purpose of collecting data and it includes personal
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observation, interviews, focused groups. Surveys etc. these all are methods that help in collection
of data from a given source.
Secondary data: It is another form of collecting data that is used by research where no
information is collected from primary sources (Hirst and Thompson, 2019). It consist of sources
such as websites, journal, publications, views of writers etc. this is a very helpful sources that
results in saving of lot of time of the researcher.
From above discussed both the sources of primary and secondary it can be said that in
present scenario, researcher has made use of primary method in which questionnaire will be used
for conducting research and in secondary sources such as articles, publications, online sites are
considered for the purpose of gathering of information.
Qualitative research: This is a method in which no numerical part is considered and
consist of information that is based on personal interviews, surveys, focussed groups etc. in the
present research work, researcher has also adopted this method in which human perception will
be studied in detail to gather a understanding of their response according to key objectives of the
research work.
Quantitative research: This is a type of research that is related with numerical aspect of
research. It is used for the purpose of making adequate calculations (Malindi, 2018). This is a
type of information that is purely numerical and it helps in reaching to relevant and specific
conclusions.
In present research, researcher has made use of qualitative form of methods in which
information is collected and then analysed for the purpose of drawing result and making
recommendations.
Sampling: It is a method that is used for taking a sample from whole population. It is not
possible to analyse whole population for purpose of conducting a research. Hence, sample is
chosen by researcher for making a detailed analysis of information. In this research ether are 50
respondent that have been selected by the researcher.
Gantt chart: It is a method that is used for making a graphical representation of
various activities that have to be performed in the course of whole research. It is very
helpful in completion of whole research in given period of time.
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Work Break down Structure: work breakdown structure is used in research for the purpose of
dividing the work in smaller segment. Each and every part of the whole research is identified,
scheduled and finally budgeted (Robertson, 2017). It results into saving of lot of time as grassers
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has a clarity in mind that what are various key deliverable of the project. Below discussed is the
work break down structure for present research report.
Name -
E- mail ID -
1. Do you have complete information about the concept of equality and diversity?
 Yes
 No
2. In you point of view what is the importance of equality and diversity with in organisation?
 Attract and retain talented workforce
 Develop positive relationship with in organisation
 Increase performance
 All of the above
3. Do you think manager and leaders play crucial role on managing equality as well as diversity
in workplace.
 Yes
 No
4. According to you what are the major roles of leaders and manager for enhancing equality and
diversity with in organisation.
 Managing employees
 Provide guidance to staff member
 Motivating worker
 All of the above
5. As per your information what are the positive impact of equality and diversity with in Aviva
plc in order to increase performance of business.
 Boost morale of employees
 Add new skills with in team
 Promote innovations
 All of the above
6. What are the major challenges and issues that is affect by company while implementing
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equality and diversity with in organisation.
 Communication barriers
 Implementing changes with in organisation
 Managing workplace diversity
7. Do you think it is important for Aviva plc company to overcome these challenges in order to
achieve desired goals and objectives.
 Yes
 No
8. As per your view point that are the different methods that can be used by company for
successful implementation of equality and diversity with in respective organisation.
 Development of strict policies
 Training and development
 Changes in recruitment process
 All of the above
Data Interpretation
Theme 1 - Concept of equality and diversity
1. Do you have complete information
about the concept of equality and
diversity?
Frequency
 Yes 40
 No 10
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Interpretation – As per the data it has been determined that 40 respondents out of 50 have
complete information and knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity.
Where as only 10 responder has responded negatively.
Theme 2 - Importance of equality and diversity with in organisation
2. In you point of view what is the
importance of equality and diversity with
in organisation?
Frequency
 Attract and retain talented
workforce
10
 Develop positive relationship with
in organisation
10
 Increase performance 5
 All of the above 25
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Interpretation – According to above shown data it has been analyed that equality and diversity is
very important for company. Out of 50 respondents 10, 10 and 5 responder consider its
is important for attracting or retaining skilled employees, building relationships and to
increase the performance of organisation respectively. Where as other 25 responder out
of 50 feel that all of these factors are important.
Theme 3 - Manager and leaders play crucial role on managing equality as well as diversity in
workplace.
3. Do you think manager and leaders play
crucial role on managing equality as well
as diversity in workplace.
Frequency
 Yes 45
 No 5
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Interpretation – Manager and leaders are very important for equality and diversity workplace. As
per the above shown data it has been identified that most of the respondents that is 45
out of 50 feels that manager and leaders have crucial role where as other 5 responders
has reacted negatively.
Theme 4 - The major roles of leaders and manager for enhancing equality and diversity with in
organisation.
4. According to you what are the major
roles of leaders and manager for enhancing
equality and diversity with in organisation.
Frequency
 Managing employees 10
 Provide guidance to staff member 5
 Motivating worker 5
 All of the above 30
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Interpretation – There are various roles of manager and leaders and according to the above
shown graphical representation 10 responder consider managing employees. Where as
other 5 and 5 feels that providing guidance to employees and motivating worker
respectively. And majority of responder which is 30 feels all roles are very important.
Theme 5 - The positive impact of equality and diversity with in Aviva plc in order to increase
performance of business.
5. As per your information what are the
positive impact of equality and diversity with
in Aviva plc in order to increase performance
of business.
Frequency
 Boost morale of employees 10
 Add new skills with in team 10
 Promote innovations 10
 All of the above 20
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Interpretation – Through the above shown data it has been determined that equality and diversity
will lead to have impact on performance of company. As per data 10, 10 and other 10
responders consider increase employee morale, add new skills and promote innovative
techniques with in organisation. where as other 20 out of 10 feel that all of the above
mention factors are important.
Theme 6 - The major challenges and issues that is affect by company while implementing
equality and diversity with in organisation.
6. What are the major challenges and issues
that is affect by company while implementing
equality and diversity with in organisation.
Frequency
 Communication barriers 20
 Implementing changes with in
organisation
10
 Managing workplace diversity 20
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Interpretation – It is very important for organisation to overcome the challenges and issues that
occur while executing equality and diversity in organisation. as per the collected data
its has been identified that 20 and other 10 feels that communication barriers and
implementation of changes with in business is the major issues. Where as other 20 feel
that effective management of diversity culture is very effective.
Theme 7 - Important for Aviva plc company to overcome these challenges in order to achieve
desired goals and objectives.
7. Do you think it is important for Aviva
plc company to overcome these challenges
in order to achieve desired goals and
objectives.
Frequency
 Yes 30
 No 20
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Interpretation – It is important for organisation to overcome the challenges that occur while
implementing equality and diversity with in organisation. It is important for
organisation to successfully overcomes these issues and effective conduct business
activities. As per collected data 30 responded out of 50 has responded positively where
as other 20 has responded negatively.
Theme 8 - Different methods that can be used by company for successful implementation of
equality and diversity with in respective organisation.
8. As per your view point that are the
different methods that can be used by
company for successful implementation of
equality and diversity with in respective
organisation.
Frequency
 Development of strict policies 10
 Training and development 5
 Changes in recruitment process 10
 All of the above 25
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Interpretation – According to the above collected data it has been identified that there are
different method through which organisation can successfully implement equality and
diversity activities. Out of 50 responders 10 and 5 feels that development of strict
policies and training or development is effective for organisation. where as other 10
consider that changes in recruitment policies will lead to enhance the equality and
diversity culture from organisation. Where as majority of respondents that is 25 feel that
all of the above are most effective and efficient method in order to boost performance of
employees.
Recommendation
As per the above analysis of data there are various recommendations for Aviva plc. This
will help manager of respective company to successfully implement equality and diversity
activities in order to enhancing performance of organisation. Recommendation for Aviva plc
company regarding equality and diversity is mention below in detail.
 It is essential for this organisation to follow all set of rules and regulation that is
developed by government. This will help in smooth functioning of organisation in
different part of the world.
 Aviva plc company needs to provide proper training and development to its employees so
that they can enhance equality and diversity activities in organisation.
 Training and development is one of the effective method that will support respective
company to successfully implement equality and diversity culture with in organisation.
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 It is very important for organisation to overcome the issues and challenges that occur due
to equality and diversity. This will help in accomplishing set goals and objectives of
organisation.
 This company needs to develop effective and efficient strategies that will lead to enhance
diversity culture with in organisation. Strict organisation policies will lead to effective
functioning of organisation.
Reflection
While conducting different activities of this research project I have analysed and determined
various things. Through this project I am able to understand the concept of equality and diversity
very effectively. This knowledge and understanding will be very supporting in my professional
career and growth. There are many difficulties and issues occur such as lack of time and funds.
This will lead to have negative impact on analysing outcomes of this project. In order to
overcome these challenges and issues I take help for my senior person. They have provide
support and appropriate guideline to conduct task and activities.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded equality and diversity is crucial concept of
business and its is very important for conducting different activities that will help in enhancing
equality and diversity. There are different methods through that will help in enhancing equality
and diversity in order to increase the profitability and performance of organisation.
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REFERENCES
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Online
How Equality & Diversity Improves Your Workplace: Examining the Benefits. 2020. [Online].
Available through:< https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/equality-diversity-benefits-
workplace/ >.
Role of Management in Managing Organizational Diversity. 2020. [Online]. Available through:<
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-management-in-managing-organizational-
diversity.htm >.
20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity in the Workplace. 2020. [Online]. Available
through:< https://www.managementstudyguide.com/role-of-management-in-managing-
organizational-diversity.htm >.
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