Workplace Discrimination's Impact on Employee Well-being: A Case Study

This research proposal investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on employee well-being, focusing on the River Island Company as a case study. The study aims to explore the conceptualization of workplace discrimination, relevant diversity theories, the impact of discrimination on employee performance, and potential solutions for River Island. The proposal outlines the research objectives, reasons for choosing the project, and key literature sources. It details the research approach, methodologies (including positivism and interpretivism), and activities with a Gantt chart for project management. The study seeks to identify the effects of discrimination on employee morale, productivity, and the overall performance of the organization, as well as the ways in which the company can improve its diversity and inclusion practices to foster a more positive work environment. The research will involve literature review, data collection, and analysis to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The impact of workplace discrimination on well being of employees. A case study on
River Island Company.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Title: “To investigate about the impact of workplace discrimination on well being of employees”.
Research Aim
The key purpose of this investigation is to investigate about the impact of workplace discrimination on well
being of employees. Therefore, workplace discrimination is defined as the major challenge which influences
the performance of the business. Thus, in this present evaluation the overalls study has been executed over the
area of RiverIsland Company, London, England, United Kingdom. This study provides an appropriate
knowledge base in relation to the area of discrimination and how it influences the operations of River Island,
however, the headquarter of the firm is in West London Tech Hub: East London.
Research Questions:
The prior questions that are encompasses over present study are evaluated as below:
 What is the conceptualization of workplace discrimination in the context of business?
 What are the suitable theories and models of diversity that are providing valuable to the business?
 Which kind of impact does workplace diversity has over the operations of River Island company?
 What potential ways can be opt by River Island company to overcome the issue of discrimination at workplace?
Research objectives
The potential objectives of the questions that are linked with the project aim are associated as under:
 To critically develop knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity in the context of exploring business skills.
 To Measure the importance of diversity theory in enhancing the profit of business by 70 percent.
 To access idea about the extent on which discrimination affects the 50 percent performance of employees at workplace.
 To identify the ways that are significant for RiverIsland in rectifying 80 percent of the issue that occurs due to
discrimination at workplace.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future
plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
There are many reasons for conducting present investigation on the workplace discrimination. The main two
reasons for conducting present investigation are specified as below:
 The first and foremost reason of conducting present investigation is the personal interest of researcher

towards this topic as they have seen workplace discrimination a lot and believes that by conducting
detailed research over this topic they would be able to determine the ways through which it could be
reduced.
 Along with this, another motive of conducting this investigation from researcher’s side to improvise
their own set of skills such as communication, conflict management, analytical, presentation, team
building and many others. Development of these skills will definitely help investigator in conducting
more effective research in the near future.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
The conceptualization of workplace discrimination in the context of business
According to the opinion of Vickers, L., 2016. it has been said that workplace discrimination arise within the organization might
affect the overall performance of the employees in a negative manner as it creates issues and problems among the staff members.
Workplace discrimination can be done on the basis of gender, race, education, background, physical appearance and many more. All
these highly affects the overall performance and morale of employees in a negative manner which reduces their efficiency and
effectiveness. Therefore, it has been concluded that workplace discrimination is a negative aspect which reduces the overall
performance of the company in an adverse manner. Jennifer Lombardo, 2020, has also stated that, Discrimination is characterized to
be the unreasonable treatment of workers that are envelops over prejudiced, consequently, in another words, discrimination can
likewise be assessed as the equivalent compensation remuneration, sexual direction, national unique, pregnancy religion, handicap,
race and sex. working environment separation emerge inside the association may influence the general execution of the
representatives in a negative way as it makes issues and issues among the staff individuals. Work environment segregation should be
possible based on sexual orientation, race, instruction, foundation, physical appearance and some more.
The suitable theories and models of diversity that are providing valuable to the business
According to the views expressed by Janine Schindler, 2018, diversity in workplace is determined as the most imperative aspect
which needs to be considered by the business as it is effective in promoting diversity at workplace and enhance the productivity and
performance. Cognitive diversity is defined as the inclusion of individual who have assorted ways of thinking, different viewpoints
and different skill sets in a team or business group. Many of these same companies have already realized the benefits of encouraging
diversity in age, gender and ethnicity for years but are perhaps new to the idea of cognitive diversity. According to the views
analysis of Jeff Hearn and Jonna Louvrier, 2015, Cognitive theory of diversity is effective in providing wider opportunity to the
businesses to retain people within business and conduct effective business practices. In addition to this, the theory is effective in
encouraging employees at work place to contribute their significant efforts in the success of business.
As per the views expressed by Yang Yang and Alison M. Konard, 2011, The institutional theory mainly determined the normative
term in which business exists and operate their operations, thus, A suitable recognition of business structure and action cannot be
distinguished through an understanding of their social environment. This theory mainly encompasses over normative, regulative and
cognitive structure and the operations that are render stability to the social behaviour. The regulative aspects includes, laws,
legislations. Furthermore, cognitive institutions includes culture ethics and normative aspects includes professional and social norms,
this these considered aspects helps the business and its management in suitable management of diversity through promoting diverse
workforce with the support of developing suitable norms and ethics.
As per the views expressed by Travis Barker, 2016, the suitable management of workplace diversity is needed for the businesses to
enhance their operations at market place. Therefore, Thomas and Ely’s is an effective model which is concern over the
interconnection which workplace diversity has on the results of the business. Thus, Thomas and Ely mainly projected three sort of
perspectives for managing diversity within an organisational level: discrimination-and-fairness, access-and-legitimacy and
integration-and-learning. Of these three perspectives Thomas and Ely found that workgroups function best under the integration-and-
learning perspective. The integration-and-learning perspective mainly concern over developing positive inter-group connection,

feelings of being valued and appreciation which is gained through the other group members, and having employees feel positively
about their racial identity in the workplace. Thus, this model is imperative for the business in enhancing coordination and
collaboration among employees to gain growth and success.
Impact of workplace diversity over the operations performance of employees within River Island Company.
As per the opinion analysis of Sonia Fernandez, 2018, Discrimination is assessed as the biased treatment of an individual that depend
on participation of a specific gathering or classification is probably going to have negative impact on its casualties prosperity and
wellbeing. Discrimination principally has direct negative effect on the prosperity of representatives as separation at work
environment influences the confidence of representatives and influences their assurance to work with progressively potential and
joint effort. According to the views expressed by Kimberlee Leonard, 2019, Diversity not just effects to the individuals who
experience it straightforwardly, yet in addition the individuals who witness it, or who feel that they work in a domain that segregates.
Accordingly, River Island is a huge style retail which is worry over overseeing segregation at work environment for the aim of
upgrading the prosperity of representatives at work environment. In addition to this, Chris Joseph, 2020, has stated that, Diversity in
the workplace mainly includes developing a work culture where individual with varying races, gender and nationalities can blend
together and work in harmony. Creating a more diverse work environment can impact the way a workplace functions. Alothough, in
today’s modern business environment the primary obligation of the management of the business is to encourage employees at
workplace via managing diversity at workplace to gain growth and success, thus employees are the potential asset of the business as
the growth of the business is based on the developing performance of the employees at workplace. However, River Island is a large
fashion retailer which has its operations in more than a single region, and it is very much important for the business to manage
diversity at workplace for the intentional of enhancing their business operations, thus the management of diverse workforce is
creating value for the River Island company in enhancing collaboration among employees, strengthen the workforce of the business,
increasing profitability and revenue. In addition to this business has also gained effective production with the collaborating working
of employees at workplace.
Ways can be opt by River Island company to overcome the issue of discrimination at workplace
As per the thought of Cohn, S., 2019 it is examined that by adopting several strategies and policies in an effective manner, various
types of benefits has been gained by the management team. One of the biggest advantage gain by the manager is that employees feel
motivated which increases their efficiency and performance. This leads towards the attainment of organizational goals and objectives
in an effective manner as employees feel motivated and encouraged. Another benefit is that company will be able to retain their
potential and capable staff members for a longer period of time. This as a result assists them in order to create positive brand image
of the company at competitive marketplace.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the
report):
Identification of topic
Formulation of aim and objectives
Literature review
Research methodology
Submission of research proposal
Feedback on proposal
How long this will take:
12 days
15 days
20 days
12 days
15 days
5 Days
28 days

Development of budget
Development of standard
Collection of data and information
Analysis of data and information
Results and finding
Evaluation
Conclusion
Recommendation
Feedback
Submission of final report
Taking feedback
The investigation has taken around 193 days its means the investigation needs
around 27 weeks to be completed.
12 days
15 days
20 days
12 days
6 days
5 days
3 days
8 Days
2 days
3 days
193 Days
Milestone one: Data collection
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: Literature review
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart is determined as the graphical representation of the overall project schedule. This type of chart
simply includes several activities which would be included by the investigator for completing the particular
project. It also includes starting and ending time of each and every activity so that overall research could get
finished within the provided time frame in the systematic manner.

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your areas of
research will cover:
Research methodology is determined as the essential part of every investigation which clearly defines that what kinds of method
have been adopted the investigator for carrying out the study in appropriate manner. With reference to present research investigator
have made use of different research methods have been stated as below:
Research Philosophy: This section is mainly encompasses over positivism and Interpretivism research philosophy, this in this
positivism will be the most appropriate tool to execute quantitative research and it is effective in providing information with actual
facts and figures. Therefore, positivism philosophy is imperative in providing factful information with the help of executing survey
over the area of determining the impact of workplace discrimination on well being of employees. Thus actual facts over the area
helps in generating reliable results.
Research Approach: This defined to be the plan which provides a direction to the researcher to implement all investigation in right
direction to attain higher growth and success. This Segment is mainly relay upon deductive and inductive research approach, the
description of these two are as:
Deductive Approach: This is mainly concern over developing hypothesis that are encompasses over the existing theory relation to
analysis and then develop an appropriate tool to evaluate information which is significant in drawing valid outcome.
Inductive Approach: This is different from the deductive approach, thus it mainly starts with the observations and theories are
proposed towards the end of the research process as a result of observations.
thus, for executing the present research based on determining the impact of discrimination over the operation of business, deductive
approach will be the suitable in providing appropriate evaluation via the assistance of implementing theories and hypothesis.
Therefore, in the context of this present research based on analysing the impact of workplace discrimination on well being of
employees, deductive approach is significant in providing reliability of data via applying theories and hypothesis that are significant

to equality and diversity.
Research Strategy: This defined to be the most imperative area of investigation as it is effective in assisting the overall investigation
in right manner to drawn valid and reliable results. Therefore, in this, questionnaire will be recognised to be the most effective
source for executing primary research, thus, in this information mainly gather through questionnaire as it covers the aim and
objectives of the research.
Choice of Methods: This section is mainly of two types i.e. qualitative and quantitative research, thus, All the gathered information
from different sources would be analysed with the usage of quantitative method as it helps in obtaining accurate outcome in quicker
manner. Therefore, it is effective for analysing the impact of workplace discrimination on well being of employees, with the support
of information in actual facts and figures via gathering information in mathematical aspects.
Time Horizon: It defined to be the most imperative area of an investigation as it mainly relay upon two aspect cross sectional and
longitudinal time horizon, thus in this present investigation cross sectional data base will be implemented when all observations are
for a single point of time like as in most survey. Therefore, the present analysis will be based on survey and cross sectional is
imperative tool to gather valuable data.
Data collection method: There are mainly two forms of data collection that is primary and secondary through which investigator
gathers desired information on the research topic so that valuable outcome can be drawn on the same. For present study both the
primary and secondary method of data collection method would be adopted by research to gather maximum information on the same
and attain outcome in timely manner. In primary method questionnaire will going to be adopted by researcher for gathering
information from the respondents in timely manner. Whereas in secondary method books, journal, online article etc. will going to be
used.
Data analysis: In this present investigation work, data analysis will be based on thematic analysis as in this major information
source will be primary research. Thus this will be the most significant aspect to drawn valid and reliable outcome.
Sampling: For selecting sample size random sampling method would be used in order to select 40 respondents that would further fill
questionnaire and share information with the respondent. Therefore, random sampling is effective in selecting sample in effective
manner as in this individual are picked to gather information over a specific area.
Limitations of the research: The key limitation of this present research is the provided time for completion of the project as the
given time is not enough to complete the work in effective manner. Another limitation of the project is based on the access of the
information, thus it is also imperative for the researcher to select the most authenticate sources to gather valuable information.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and
is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form
human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor.
Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: To investigate about the impact of workplace discrimination on well being of
employees”. A case study on RiverIsland Company..
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Interview method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
The investigator has using Email, as it is best possible way to establish communication

with the respondents.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear
to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
The research will obtain consent from email and this will available in written format and in the
consent form it is being clear to the participants that they can withdraw their consent any time as
they are not having any restriction. Therefore, Questionnaire will be used to gather
information
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that
do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed
consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation
of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data
Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher
During the research:
Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
Laptop, USB, Pan drive etc.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:

Where will the data be stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
The data will be stored for 2 years.
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If
so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of
your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include,
but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that
may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to the Research
Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.