Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: A Case Study of Apple Inc.

This research report investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on employee productivity and performance, with a specific focus on Apple Inc. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by a literature review that explores the concept of workplace discrimination, problems faced by Apple Inc. due to discrimination, and strategies employed to mitigate these issues. The methodology section details the quantitative research approach, including data collection methods. The data analysis and interpretations section presents findings from a questionnaire, including frequency tables and thematic analysis. The report concludes with recommendations for Apple Inc. and a reflection on the research process, including alternative methodologies. The findings highlight the importance of diversity, training, and complaint policies in fostering a fair and productive work environment. The report underscores the adverse effects of discrimination, such as gender gaps, and emphasizes the benefits of inclusive cultures for employee morale and business performance, ultimately aiming to contribute to a better understanding of workplace dynamics and effective strategies for promoting equality.

Research Project (Equality and
Diversity in the workplace)

Table of Contents
Title:- Equality and Diversity in the workplace...............................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the research.........................................................................................................1
Research aim...............................................................................................................................1
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................2
Research questions......................................................................................................................2
Rationale of the research.............................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Concept of workplace discrimination in a company...................................................................2
Problems faced by higher authorities of Apple Inc. due to discrimination at workplace...........4
Strategies adopted by managers of Apple Inc. to decline workplace discrimination within the
organisation.................................................................................................................................5
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION...........................................................................5
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS...........................................................................7
Questionnaire..............................................................................................................................7
Frequency Table..........................................................................................................................8
Thematic Analysis.....................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................................................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................13
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................13
REFLECTION AND ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................14
REFLECTION..........................................................................................................................14
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

Title:- Equality and Diversity in the workplace
INTRODUCTION
Workplace discrimination can be defined as occurrence of different situations where an
employer mainly takes a range of actions against a staff member considering various attributes
like colour, religion, culture, race and so on (Anjum and et. al., 2018). In current time, workplace
discrimination is considered as an issue that has impacted negatively on performance level of
staff of different organisations that are working in international market. Under this research
report, firm that has been taken into consideration is Apple Inc., which was found in the year of
1976 by Steve Jobs. It is an American multinational technology based company which also
headquartered at California. It has been found that, this organisation's staff members are dealing
with workplace discrimination and this resulted into negative impact on performance and
productivity level of them due to low motivation. However, Apple Inc. is looking forward to
reduce the discrimination and it has also considered a range of strategies which will be discussed
in this report.
Background of the research
Over the years, workplace discrimination influenced various business organisations and
the reason that came in front was that they never kept their focus on developing an effective
policy in relation with discrimination. Away with this, companies are continuously looking
forward to reduce workplace discrimination through considering different rules and regulations
like Equality Act, 2010 and so on (Ayala and et. al., 2017). On the other hand, it has been found
that there are different types of discrimination that are present in today's workplaces of
organisations like direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and so
on. Gender, race, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, age and many more are said to be
some of the crucial elements that are required by companies to develop their own sort of
products and services.
Research aim
The aim of this particular research is “To determine the influence of workplace
discrimination on productivity and performance of staff members. A case study on Apple Inc.”
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Research objectives
 To gain knowledge about concept of workplace discrimination in a company.
 To identify the problems faced by higher authorities of Apple Inc. due to discrimination
at workplace
 To analyse strategies adopt by managers of Apple Inc. to decline workplace
discrimination within the organisation.
Research questions
 What do you know about workplace discrimination concept?
 What are the problems faced by higher authorities of Apple Inc. due to discrimination at
workplace?
 What are the different strategies adopt by managers of Apple Inc. to decline workplace
discrimination within the organisation?
Rationale of the research
The rational motive behind conducting investigation on the chosen topic is that
workplace discrimination carries both direct and indirect impact on performance level of staff
members at a workplace of an organisation. This results into low productivity and it also
demotivate employees (O’Neill, Sohal and Teng, 2016). Most of the companies are looking
forward to reduce the workplace discrimination in order to enhance the profit margins and
productivity level. This is why this topic is specifically being considered because many
investigations were done on various topics but not on how workplace discrimination impacts on
performance and productivity of staff members. Self interest of researcher was also there, which
will improve the knowledge of readers and of research in much effective and efficient manner.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of workplace discrimination in a company
According to Sutanto and Kurniawan, (2016), it is study which is based on workplace
discrimination in all over the world. However, the particular investigation is done on Europe
where it has been found that UK carries highest discrimination because lot of employees are
affected by this. It includes 49 percent workforce which is age group under 25-35 are faced this
problem at work place. It is conducted survey on 10,000 employees on different region like UK,
France, Spain, Poland and Netherlands employees feel such kind of issue (Park and et. al., 2017).
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The most kind of discrimination on the basis of gender, nationality, integrity and appearance.
The issue mainly in such kind of organisation which is related to art and culture, financial
services, architecture, engineering and also faces in educational sector. It is in addition also said
that must be avoid this kind of issue at workplace and focused to provide the safe and secured
working environment to the employees. Workplace discrimination also affect the performance of
the employee as well as profitability of the organisation. According to the researcher's opinion
about this concept it is must be provides training to individual at a time of recruitment in order to
diversity. Superiors of the organisations must be listen the employers issue which is faced in the
workplace and help them to sought out the things in effective manner. It addition United State's
supreme court has ruled which is act and provision to sued those person who discriminate among
the employees. It is discrimination on the basis of skin, colour, genetic and religion (Ugoani,
2016).
It includes affect the performance of the employees and also increase the conflicts
between the employees. Subordinates also not focused with their work and not achieves a target
which ultimately affects the revenue of the organisation. It is essential to each and every
organisation to focused on such conditions and must be planned a strict rules, regulation and
guideline which is followed by each employee of the organisation. HR departments play vital
role in context of that and they provides best solutions to the employees as well as also listen the
grievances of employees (Jammaers, Zanoni and Hardonk, 2016). Discrimination affects the
environment of the company and it is a responsibility of HR department to provide safe, secured
and friendly working environment. In various kind of discrimination so accordingly different
kind of law but most of employees not aware about such laws so organisation conduct seminar
and provides the detail information about that so employees not suffer that. In many organisation
conduct session and it is interacting to each employee because this is a sensitive concept to know
about. It includes various kind of condition which employees not openly talk about and suffers
them so it is a duty of superiors to avoid such conditions and employees openly talk about them.
Workplace discrimination is not good for organisation and employees also its affect both of them
directly. In context of organisation affects the profitability and revenue. On the other hand
employees suffers, lose their confidence and not focused on their careers.
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Problems faced by higher authorities of Apple Inc. due to discrimination at workplace
According to Ajunwa, (2018), gender gap refers to the discrimination between employees
in terms of salary, benefits and opportunities for growth and success. In various organization
there is difference practices are adopt for both male and female. Male employees get higher pay
in and better opportunities in comparison of female staff member. Efforts of female employees
are nor recognized and acknowledge by company that leads them toward demotivation. It put an
adverse impact on productivity of female workforce and overall growth of company (Kruse and
et. al., 2018). Apart from this, it enhances conflicts among human resources working within
organization. In Apple there is no gender gap exist as it has adopted similar policies without
giving consideration to gender of employees. The company has revealed the fact that they are
giving equal payment to all its human resources regardless their gender. It encourage and
motivate personnels to work efficiently for the success and growth of business. This practice
helps them to minimize employees turnover and to get an edge over other competitors. It
encourage efficient and potential female members to be a part of company.
Diversity emphasis to provide similar opportunities to both male and female workers
within company. As both have different perspective that will help nationalization to formulate
lucrative strategies to grab the attention of consumers and to enhance profitability. Diversity not
only motivates employees but also bring new, innovative and unique ideas to increase in revenue
of business. In context of Apple, they believe in gender diversity and acknowledge the efforts as
well as potential of female staff member (Neumark, 2018). It helps the company to improve their
financial performance by earning potential profit. Apart from this due to gender diverse
environment they are able to engage work force in an efficient manner. Because of this they are
able to serve diversify customer base that helps in increasing number of potential buyers at
market place. They believe in providing an inclusive culture to workforce where they can
interact and coordinate with each other to perform several business activities. There is no
discrimination in workforce in terms race,culture,sex, nationalities etc. That assist mangers of
Apple to serve the audience in an efficient manner and to sustain at competitive market place for
a longer period of time.
According to Lloren and Parini, (2017), gender diversity is essential to enhance
employees productivity as well as work efficiency. It helps to formulate a healthy and friendly
environment at work place where all the staff members can communicate and coordinate with
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one other to perform predefined task. In apple, they follows the policy of diversity as there is no
discrimination among employees. This diversify culture helps the organization to retain its work
force and to enhance operations efficiency of company (Brouwers and et. al., 2016). That is a
reason that apple is global leader and able to acquire more number of consumers. Gender
diversity help to get qualified, capable human resources who work for the betterment and
enhancement of business.
Strategies adopted by managers of Apple Inc. to decline workplace discrimination within the
organisation
As mentioned by Kundu and Mor, (2017), there are various strategies that are available
for a company to decline workplace discrimination and some of these are given underneath: Focus on diversity: This is considered to be the best suitable strategy which has been
adopted by Apple Inc. in order to reduce workplace discrimination at workplace.
Company tries to focus on diversity where all the individuals belonging to different
cultures, race, and so on are supported and delivers equal opportunities to all the staff
members without any sort of discrimination. Training: Another crucial strategy adopted by Apple Inc. which helps them in reducing
workplace discrimination. This could be understood with a good example of an employee
handbook which was established by Apple Inc. that delivers the information about
employee expectations also delivers the information in relation with discrimination
(Cavanagh and et. al., 2017).
 Complaint Policy and Procedure: One more crucial strategy adopted by Apple Inc.
where they educate staff members in relation with how submission can be one of a
complaint which encourages open-door policy without the fear of adverse consequences.
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION
Research methodology is considered to be a crucial section of a research project where
investigator selects or consider approach, investigation, philosophy, data collection, sampling
and so on.
Types of investigation: Qualitative and quantitative are the two different types of
investigation that majorly considered by the investigators. Basically, qualitative research focuses
on feelings, opinions, to understand concepts, and experiences as well. Quantitative research
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focuses on analysing numerical data where researcher uses it to test results in wider populations.
In present investigating report, quantitative investigation is specifically being taken into
consideration to conduct investigation on developed aim and i.e. “To determine the influence of
workplace discrimination on productivity and performance of staff members of Apple Inc.”
Research philosophy: It is said as beliefs of phenomena where data or information is
specifically being gathered, analysed and lastly it is being interpreted as well. Positivism and
interpretivism are said to be two different philosophies that are mainly considered by
investigators. Under this research report, researcher has considered positivism research
philosophy as it will help investigator to focus on different beliefs of individuals in all over the
world (Haddon, 2018).
Research approach: It has been found that inductive and deductive are said to be the
two crucial approaches which are considered by investigators, which helps researchers to collect
the information. In present investigating research topic, researcher has considered deductive
research approach that may include procedures of collecting and moving from premises to
conclusion that is based on the fact and truth values. With the help of this, deductive approach
would aid research in providing logical results using observation to confirm the value of the truth
(Manzoor and et. al., 2019).
Data collection: It alludes to the successful cycle to gathering information from various
sources with the point of tending to the predetermined issues present in the exploration. Hence, it
is essential for investigator to choose right strategy for gathering data so generally exercises of
examination can be effortlessly attempted. Essentially, it is separated into two technique for
information assortment, for example, secondary and primary sources. The two strategies are
compelling in this examination to draw a significant judgement and simultaneously additionally
decrease the odds of emerging any sort of issues. Alongside this, primary data collection tool for
information assortment used to accumulate direct data in which investigator set up an organized
poll filled from chosen respondents. Then again, secondary data collection tool help with giving
top to bottom examination based on research subject. In this, an orderly writing audit is
attempted that incorporates perspectives of various writers. It might uphold in accomplishing
solid outcomes inside the examination (Jabeen, Friesen and Ghoudi, 2018).
Sampling: It is characterized based on two strategies, for example, probabilistic and non-
probabilistic testing. Under this examination, probabilistic testing will be actualize by
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investigator in which respondents are picked according to random sampling methodological
technique which would persuades equivalent opportunities to be chosen for sharing their view
focuses with researcher (Buttner and Lowe, 2017). By utilizing this, 40 members are chosen who
are the representative of business association i.e. Apple Inc.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you know what is workplace discrimination?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Based on your knowledge, do you think if workplace discrimination may affect
performance level and productivity of staff members?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) What is considered to be the main reason behind rise in workplace discrimination at
Apple Inc.?
a) Gender
b) Culture
c) Colour
d) Age
Q4) As per your own thoughts, how equality can be promoted by Apple Inc. to reduce
workplace discrimination?
a) Through delivering training to staff
b) Through developing an effective discrimination related policy
c) Through delivering motivational speech in relation with equality
Q5) Do you think if workplace discrimination carries direct impact over productivity of
staff of Apple Inc.?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6) Do you agree if Apple Inc. has already developed an effective workplace
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discrimination policy?
a) Strongly agree
b) Agree
c) Disagree
d) Strongly disagree
Q7) What are the challenges faced by Apple Inc. when developing a crucial workplace
discrimination related policy?
a) Resistance to change
b) Consideration of all the values and cultures followed by staff
c) Being proactive and making updates
Q8) What will be the benefits that can be seen in Apple Inc. of formulating an effective
discrimination related policy?
a) Reduction within high employee turnover ratio
b) Development of positive relation among staff
c) Boosting the staff member's morale
Q9) Do you agree if elimination of workplace discrimination in Apple Inc. would lead to
retain talent at workstation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Any suggestions if you are looking forward to give to Apple Inc. to improve equality
at workplace.
Frequency Table
Q1) Do you know what is workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Q2) Based on your knowledge, do you think if workplace discrimination
may affect performance level and productivity of staff members?
Frequency
a) Yes 37
b) No 3
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Q3) What is considered to be the main reason behind rise in workplace
discrimination at Apple Inc.?
Frequency
a) Gender 12
b) Culture 10
c) Colour 8
d) Age 10
Q4) As per your own thoughts, how equality can be promoted by Apple
Inc. to reduce workplace discrimination?
Frequency
a) Through delivering training to staff 20
b) Through developing an effective discrimination related policy 10
c) Through delivering motivational speech in relation with equality 10
Q5) Do you think if workplace discrimination carries direct impact over
productivity of staff of Apple Inc.?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q6) Do you agree if Apple Inc. has already developed an effective
workplace discrimination policy?
Frequency
a) Strongly agree 10
b) Agree 10
c) Disagree 10
d) Strongly disagree 10
Q7) What are the challenges faced by Apple Inc. when developing a crucial
workplace discrimination related policy?
Frequency
a) Resistance to change 25
b) Consideration of all the values and cultures followed by staff 10
c) Being proactive and making updates 5
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Q8) What will be the benefits that can be seen in Apple Inc. of formulating
an effective discrimination related policy?
Frequency
a) Reduction within high employee turnover ratio 20
b) Development of positive relation among staff 10
c) Boosting the staff member's morale 10
Q9) Do you agree if elimination of workplace discrimination in Apple Inc.
would lead to retain talent at workstation?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 15
Thematic Analysis
Theme 1: Concept of workplace discrimination
Q1) Do you know what is workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Interpretations: Based on above mentioned graph, it is interpreted that 40 out of 35
respondents knows about workplace discrimination. On the other hand, only 5 respondents stated
that they do not know anything about workplace discrimination.
10
35
5
a) Yes
b) No