Eliminating Workplace Discrimination: A Study of Cadbury's Practices

This research project investigates the role of equality and diversity practices in eliminating workplace discrimination, focusing on Cadbury as a case study. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research proposal, aims, objectives, and research questions. A comprehensive literature review follows, exploring the benefits of equality and diversity practices for organizations, issues related to workplace discrimination, and the link between adopting these practices and minimizing discrimination. The methodology section details the research approach, philosophy, choice, strategy, time horizon, and sampling methods used, including the selection of 50 employees for data collection via surveys. The report then covers data collection and analysis, including thematic analysis, and concludes with a personal reflective statement. The research aims to identify the importance of equality and diversity, the challenges Cadbury faces, and the relationship between equality and diversity practices and reduced workplace discrimination, providing insights into organizational development and ethical working practices.

Research Project

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................4
1.1 Research proposal..............................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Literature review...............................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................................9
3.1 Research Approaches.........................................................................................................................9
3.2 Methodologies...................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 4: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.........................................................................11
4.1 Data collection.................................................................................................................................11
4.2 Data analysis, presentation and discussion......................................................................................11
5.1 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................23
5.2 Recommendations...........................................................................................................................23
CHAPTER 6: PERSONAL REFLECTIVE STATEMENT......................................................................24
6.1 Reflect on research methods............................................................................................................24
6.2 Consider research methods that could have been used.....................................................................24
6.3 Areas for further investigation.........................................................................................................24
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................25

Title: Role of equality and diversity practices in eliminating workplace discrimination.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research proposal
a) Overview of project
Discrimination is defined as prejudicial treatment in workplace which may impact on
firing, hiring, salary and training on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, religion gender,
disabilities and some other characteristics. Cadbury is British multinational confectionery form
that is wholly owned through the Mondelez International since year 2010. The main focus on
Cadbury is to treating all culture and background people equally. The workplace discrimination
develops the negative impact on the performance level of the staff members and organization. In
order to eliminate the workplace discrimination, equality and diversity practices main role
(Adesoye and et. al., 2017). Its main focus on removing the discrimination from workplace and
also develop the positive working environment.
b) Research Aim and Objectives
Aim
To analyses the role of equality and diversity practices in eliminating workplace discrimination.
A study on Cadbury.
Research Objectives:
• To determine the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation.
• To identify the challenges that Cadbury may face due to workplace discrimination.
• To ascertain relation between equality and diversity practices and reduction of
workplace discrimination.
Research Questions
• Describe about main benefits that equality and diversity practices provide to an
organization?
• What are major issues related with workplace discrimination that Cadbury may face?

• What is the link between adoption of equality and diversity practices and
minimization of workplace discrimination?
c) Reasons for choosing project
The main aim of this research topic is to support organizations in identifying the
understanding of various types of equal opportunities and diversity practices, along with the
methods by which discrimination in the workplace can be reduced. It also helps Cadbury
recognize the significance for organizational development and success of workplace equality. In
addition to this, the study can also be used for academic purposes when it is published where
learner are taught ethical working practices to help develop future workers who believe in the
collectivism practices (Barthelemy, McCormick and Henderson, 2016).
d) Activities and Timescales

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
A literature review is a research article that demonstrates the latest information, which
includes significant observations and theoretical and methodological contributions to a specific
topic. Secondary sources such as books, journals, internet sources are helpful in conducting
literature review, which does not disclose original work (Bruce and et. al., 2015).
2.2 Literature review
Benefits that equality and diversity practices provide to an organization
On the basis of Anja Zojceska (2018) the progress and success of the company is guided
by equality and diversity and ensures culture in the workplace, where each person has equal
opportunity to gain access instead of being influenced by all kinds of biases and discrimination.
It offers a company several benefits since employers from various cultures promote a company
to acquire diverse language skills and support in internationally operating business practices
through the use of know-how. There are various benefits of the equality and diversity in context
to an organization mention below:
Reduce employee turnover- The workplace equality and diversity is helpful in sustain
the staff members at workplace. Diversity and workforce inclusion make all workers comfortable
and respected. Often, workers are happier with their employment and remain with a organization
longer if they feel supported and respected. As a consequence, businesses with increased
workforce diversity have lower turnover (Cavalcanti and Tavares, 2016).
Opportunity- If equality is present in workplace, everyone has the same opportunity to
explore opportunities as well as improve their skills. Employers can see how motivated each
employee is. It is important for leaders to be selected and the general staff managed.

Attract and retain best quality employees- If company applications are available to all,
and not just some, company will be able to hire top talent. Employees feel more empowered to
be hired solely on basis of their ability. Employers of diverse cultures may contribute to a
diversity of language skills for company, help sell the products and enable greater customer
support. Staff turnover costs would be minimized if the workplace with ethical culture feels
relaxed, respected and satisfied.
Develops innovation- Through working with people with diverse cultures, perspectives
and working styles, new ideas can be produced of knowledge and input. Although one person
can produce innovative ideas from a box, another should have the ability to execute them;
therefore thus is important to play on the strengths of each person and to collaborate with those
in team.
Improves employee performance- For an environment where inclusiveness is a focus,
workers are likely to feel satisfied and productive. Equality at workplace is critical in fostering
the trust and best performance of employees from all the backgrounds. The higher the morality
of the squad, the more successful it is.
Talents, skills and experiences- Individuals from a variety of backgrounds may bring a
range of expertise, perspectives and abilities to the company and their work. While some skill
duplication can be useful in supporting each other, the recruitment of people with the right skills
is crucial in order to fit into each of its positions. A set of talent and team experience also helps
workers to learn from one another.
Issues related with workplace discrimination that Cadbury may face
As per viewpoint of Jill Harness (2020) Discrimination at work is based on stereotypes
and happens when an individual is unfavorably treated for reasons of age, sex, race, ethnicity,
pregnancy and motherhood and disability. These disparities are seen as a potential source of
discrimination in the workplace as it becomes more difficult for people to accept their cultures.
Ultimately, this contributes to stress and anxiety for those who are involved. Furthermore, this
also leads to interpersonal conflicts that impact the climate of Cadbury and work quality through
impacting employees ' mental health. This impacts employee motivation in terms of work,
performance and so on and leads to work dissatisfaction directly.

Discrimination hurts workers who suffer from psychological discrimination and can
cause anxiety. This adds to the stress of their work and reduces the moral and satisfaction of
employees. The reduction of concentrations and increased disputes will destroy productivity with
discrimination. This distracts workers from jobs, makes them feel less and creates dynamic
situations that are not helpful to workers or businesses (De Paola and Scoppa, 2015). Conflict
and stress are positive that their success will impact productivity reduction. Discrimination feels
discouraged and therefore unable to think and step forward. Ignoring discrimination can lead to
major problems for Cadbury organization. Other than this, from the workplace discrimination,
employees leave organization and this enhance the employee turnover rate. After leaving
organization by the existing employees, there will be need to hire the new employees and it
consists hiring cost, training cost and some other additional cost. In this manner, the employee
turnovers rate of company enhanced. In context to this, it is necessary for the employer to deal
with the employees in a better manner and also sustain them at workplace for longer period of
time to enhance organizational productivity as well as reputation.
Link between adoption of equality and diversity practices and minimization of workplace
discrimination
According to Bond, M. A. and Haynes, M. C., (2014) Practices of equality and diversity
play an important role in ensuring that employees are happy with and management in which
individuals work. It is so because that employees have equal opportunity in their job, have access
to the new opportunities, get fair compensation, etc. by adopting practices relating to equality
and diversity. This seeks to build a philosophy of equality that contributes to situation in which
people are discriminated against by others. This supports reducing discrimination at the
workplace through the imposition of equal practices and diversity. Through removing the
discrimination from workplace, Cadbury can able to enhance motivation level of the staff
members and give them better opportunities for their career growth. Through action,
organizations should build a plan for diversity to guide the actions of workplaces. With the
guidance of senior management the business plan will be periodically checked and improved.
For others, pursuit of equity within the organization, does not merely support workers' fair
treatment rights. It should tackle following characteristics. There is a good business case to
ensure that the company provides everyone with equal opportunities. Workplace equity and

diversity is sensitive issue but it's one that deserves attention. The Equality Act 2010 unfairly
discriminates against workers because of some factors like gender, age, sexuality, marriage and
civil union, pregnancy and childbirth, race, religion or faith, sex and sexual orientation. The
Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for workers to undergo discrimination because of nine factors,
including age and sex. Such features are classified by the Equality Act as 'safe apps.' The
development of qualified and diverse staff gives the company many benefits. With a diversity of
backgrounds and personalities in team, management can understand better and addressing the
concerns of a wider client base. Especially for internationally active companies it is
advantageously for group with origins in many other countries or cultures to create strong cross-
cultural relationships with clients. The added advantage of attracting, motivating and sustaining
people is the promotion of equality and diversity in workplace. The promotion of a better
understanding and knowledge of these various features decreases likelihood of prejudice in the
case of allegations, administrative proceedings and employment tribunal grievances and
eventually reduces the company's costs and damage.

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
It is one of the important parts of research. This consists the ways of collection of
information, research choices used, research approaches and the way to analyses information. In
conducting the research methodology, there has been research onion used that developed through
Saunders et. al.
Research philosophy- There has been positivism research philosophy used. This
philosophy is suitable because it analyses the opinions of the authors and also give the authentic
information for gaining positive outcomes.
Research Approach- Basically, research approaches are the techniques that help to
analyze the data collected effectively. In conducting present investigation, there has been
deductive research approach used because it converts the general data in to specific and also able
to gather the reliable information for getting positive outcomes.
Research Choice- Researcher used the quantitative research choice to better evaluate the
information obtained and enable them and obtain reliable results for analysis. The reason behind
the choice of this method in current research is the initial selection of a deductive approach to
carry out entire research work in a correct way (Lucifora and Vigani, 2016).
Research strategy- Survey is one the effective research strategy that used in conducting
present investigation. There has been questionnaire developed on specific subject area. The
reason to using this strategy is that it collects data or information in lesser time period.
Time horizon-

Sampling- This is explained as selection process for the group of people to gather on behalf of
the population information about the current field of study. For the performance of samples,
there are two different methods, probabilistic and non-probabilistic. One of these approaches is
probabilistic used as it helps to avoid a select respondent bias by the researchers. 50 employees
are selected to gather information for this research (Ge and et. al., 2016).
Data analysis- For Analysis of data, there has been thematic analysis method used as in
different themes has been developed on the basis of questions develop related to specific subject
area. There has been interpretation made on the basis of the themes (Newman, 2014).
Cost, Access and Ethical consideration
Access- Only if it contains confidential information, would the researchers and
authorized persons access the general information obtained by the interviewees. The investigator
uses security checks to ensure confidentiality so that no one other but the approved person can
access the sensitive and private information received (Sipe and et. al., 2016).
Cost- It is recognized by supporting researchers in carrying out research activities in the
right way and essential components of every investigation. With respect to this research, the
researcher has built an appropriate budget so that all necessary resources such as Internet
connectivity, secondary material access, staff, equipment and stationery can be effectively
handled (Morrell and et. al., 2015).
Ethical consideration- Researcher must adhere to ethical guidelines related to research in
order to effectively move them away from any legal problems that may occur in future. The
investigator is observing all the ethical guidelines with respect to the present work. They will
simply be allowed to use their data by all respondents (Stamarski, Hing and Leanne, 2015). The
information collected is also used only for research purposes. In addition, the consent of all
respondents was obtained before information on the study subject was collected.