Leaders & Line Managers Role in Employee Wellbeing at Marks & Spencer

This research project investigates the role of leaders and line managers in fostering employee wellbeing and development within Marks and Spencer. It aims to understand the concept of employee wellbeing in an organizational context, evaluate the strategies employed by leaders and line managers, and identify the challenges they face in this process. The research employs a positivism research philosophy, a deductive approach, and a descriptive research design, utilizing quantitative methods and probability sampling to gather data from 30 Marks and Spencer employees. The study reviews literature on employee wellbeing, strategies for development, and challenges encountered, including resistance to change, increased costs, and lack of employee engagement. The findings are intended to benefit students, researchers, and Marks and Spencer by providing insights into effective employee development practices and their impact on organizational performance.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The role of leaders and line managers in the process of employee wellbeing and development in Marks and
Spencer.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Research Aim:
" To analyse the role of leaders and line managers in the process of employee wellbeing and development." A study on Marks and
spencer
Research Objectives:
 To know about the concept of employee wellbeing and development in context to an organisation.
 To evaluate various strategies adopted by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and
development.
 To identify various challenges faced by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and
development.

Research Question:
 What is the concept of employee wellbeing and development in context to an organisation?
 What are the various strategies adopted by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and
development?
 What are the various challenges faced by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and
development?
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):
One of the vital reason to conduct the study is to analyse the role of leaders and line managers in the process of employee wellbeing and
development. In addition to this, the present investigation is important for different stakeholders that are students, researcher and Marks and
Spencer. For researcher, it assist in improving their various skills that is time management, data collection and many more. For Marks and
Spencer, this study will help in improving their understanding about effectiveness of employee development on organisational performance.
For students, this study facilitates them to gain knowledge about role of leaders and managers in employee development and the strategies used
by organisation foe employee development and well-being.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Theme 1: Concept of employee wellbeing and development in context to an organisation
According to Sara Ana (2020), Employee wellbeing is an approach towards organisation wellbeing, employee motivation and performance

enhancement as well. In addition to this, employee wellbeing is vital for an organisation in order to gain higher success and growth at
marketplace. Moreover, it help company to satisfy and retain its employees for longer time period due to which performance of an organisation
is maintained. There are various benefits gained due to employee development and well-being that is increased in organisational performance,
decline in absenteeism rate, development of brand image, employee retention, maintenance of positive working environment, increased job
satisfaction and many more (Employee wellbeing in the workplace, 2020). Moreover, an organisation is also able to attract top talent at
workplace which further leads to execution of activities in a timely and proper manner. The various key domains of employee wellbeing and
development is good work, personal growth, values, social, good lifestyle, financial wellbeing and so on. Employee wellbeing is mainly not
about enhancing performance of employees but is also physical wellbeing, health wellbeing and many more of staff members.
As per the view point of Sign (2020), It is analysed that majority of the employees are not engaged at workplace of they are gain any growth
and development in organisation. Employee development and well-being allow an organisation to motivate its staff members and retain them
for longer time period (How to facilitate personal development for employee motivation and well-being, 2020). There are various personal
development and well-being opportunities provide to employees by organisation that is it facilitates self-awareness, encourage development
with personal and professional goals, allow time for development and many more. All this motivate staff members to put their efforts and attain
both personal and professional growth.
Theme 2: Various strategies adopted by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and
development.
As per the view point of Erin. L (2021), It is determined that there are various strategies adopt by an organisation for employee development as
well as employee wellbeing. The main objective behind developing and implementing employee development strategies is to ensure safety and
health of employee and also to ensure maintenance of performance. One of the strategy is allow staff members to participate in decision making
as it help in bringing creativity and innovation at workplace. Along with this, it also encourage and motivate employees as they feel important
at workplace when there viewpoints are consider (Strategies to improve employee wellbeing, 2021). Another strategy is providing training and

development session to employees as it help in enhancing the skills, capabilities and performance of employees due to which all the activities
are implemented in an effective and timely manner. Moreover, the other strategy that is used by company is providing rewards and incentives
to employees of their good and valuable performance. This help in motivating and encouraging staff members to work with full potential and
meet with the targets of company. This will also help in maintain good relationship with employees which further leads to employee
satisfaction and retention. There are also other strategies used by respective organisation in the process of employee development and well-
being such as performance appraisal, providing flexibility and many more.
According to Erin and et. al., (2021) there are different strategies that leaders and managers implement for well-being and development of staff
members that further has positive impact on the performance of an organisation. Providing and offering training to employees help organisation
to make aware staff members about the new process, workings and technology. Along with this, it assists employees to increase its knowledge
and capabilities to perform activities in a proper manner (Strategies to Improve Your Employees’ Health and Well-Being, 2021 ). Moreover,
allow employees to participate in decision making is another strategy that allow leaders to ensure employee development and well-being. This
strategy brings innovation and new idea in the mind of employees that ensure personal and professional growth. Furthermore, maintaining
positive working environment is also an effective strategy as it help employees to work without pressure and put their full potential to
implement activities. All such strategies leads towards employee well-being and development that help an organisation to achieve objectives
timely and effectively.
Theme 3: Challenges faced by leaders and line managers of Marks and spencer in the process of employee wellbeing and development
As per the view point of Karn, (2019) it is analysed that there are various issues and challenges faced by company due to the process of
employee wellbeing and development. One of the major issue is resistance by employees to adopt change that sometimes impact negatively on
the overall performance of an organisation. It is significant for an organisation to ensure that its employees are easily adopt changes as it help in
dealing as well as coping with the changing environment (Employee development challenges, 2019). Another issue that is faced is increase in

cost due to which the level of profitability and revenue is declined. It is analysed that providing training to staff members arise cost to company
and is sometimes leads to wastage of time and resources if output is not gained properly. Moreover, lack of employee engagement is also the
issue that impact negatively on the performance of staff members. Apart from this, thee are also other challenges faced by company that is
ineffective training methods, employee resistance and so on. It is vital for respective organisation to deal with all the challenges for employee
development and wellbeing.
As per the view point of Bhardwaj (2021), implementing employee development and well-being process is not as easy as there are lot of issues
faced by leaders and managers. Insufficient employee engagement is one of the major issue that is faced and is also arise high cost to the
company due to which the productivity is lost. It is analysed that conflicts have arisen among employers and employees if they are not satisfied
with the implemented strategy (Overcoming Challenges in Employee Well-being Programs, 2021). Apart from this, lack of
appropriate technology can also be the issue as employees prefer to learn new technologies and if organisation does not have it then it decline
the interest level and productivity of staff members. Apart from this, there are also other issues faced by leaders in the procedure of employee
development and well-being such as lack of effective communication, increasing rate of employee turnover and so on.
REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Employee wellbeing in the workplace, 2020 [online] Available through; < https://semoscloud.com/blog/employee-wellbeing/>
Strategies to improve employee wellbeing, 2021 [online] Available through; < https://hbr.org/2021/10/7-strategies-to-improve-your-employees-
health-and-well-being>
Employee development challenges, 2019 [online] Available through; https://blog.trginternational.com/3-common-employee-development-
challenges-and-how-to-overcome-them
How to facilitate personal development for employee motivation and well-being, 2020 [online] Available through;

<https://www.centraltest.com/blog/how-facilitate-personal-development-employee-motivation-and-well-being>
Strategies to Improve Your Employees’ Health and Well-Being, 2021 [online] Available through; <
https://hbr.org/2021/10/7-strategies-to-improve-your-employees-health-and-well-being>
Overcoming Challenges in Employee Well-being Programs, 2021 [online] Available through;
https://www.ekincare.com/blog/overcoming-challenges-in-employee-well-being-programs
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):
How long this
will take:
11 weeks

Milestone one: ___Literature Review _________

Target date (set by tutor): _____18-11-2021_______________
Milestone two: ______Research Methodology _____________________
Target date (set by tutor): _____1-12-2021_________________
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 Philosophy: It is defined as the procedure of gathering as well as evaluating data about the topic of investigation. Along with this,
there are two forms of research philosophies such as interpretivism and positivism. Both the forms of research philosophies are appropriate but
as per the present study, positivism research philosophy will be chosen. The main reason to select positivism philosophy is it assist in gathering,
evaluating as well as using quantitative information. Moreover, it is cost as time effective as compare to other philosophies of research.
Research Approach: It is referred as the procedure of evaluating collected data by using various research approaches. Along with this, there
are mainly two forms of research approaches such as deductive and inductive (McDaniel and Gates, 2020). All these approaches are significant
in order to evaluate data but as per the research topic, deductive approach is appropriate and effective as it help in gaining in-depth knowledge
about topic and does not require maximum time of researcher.
Research Design: It is defined as the procedure of collecting, using and analysing information about the topic
of research. There are mainly three forms of research design that is descriptive, experimental and exploratory as
well. In addition to this, all these are important but according to the topic of investigation, descriptive research
design will be used. The reason to select this is it facilitate in collecting as well as analysing quantitative
information.

Research Methodology: The two main forms of research methodology is quantitative and qualitative. It is
analysed that both forms of research methodologies is vital and effective to conduct the study. In context to the
present study, quantitative method will be selected as it help to collect numerical data within less cost and time
as well.
Sampling Method: It is defined as the procedure that is used by investigator to select sample size from the
whole population in order to collect data about the topic. There are mainly two forms if sampling that is
probability and non-probability sampling method. In relation to the present study, Probability sampling method
will be used as it help in selecting large sample size within less time frame (Saks, 2021). The 30 staff members of
Marks and Spencer are chosen randomly under probability sampling. One of the main reason to choose
employees as respondents is they have knowledge regarding company policies and background as well.
Data analysis: It is referred as the procedure that is used by investigator in order to analyse data which is
gathered on the particular research topic. There are various methods of data analysis such as frequency
distribution analysis, thematic analysis and many more. In relation to present study, frequency distribution
analysis will be applied in order to evaluate quantitative data. The reason to choose this method is it help in
analysing numerical data in less time frame.
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

REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Barreiro, C. A. and Treglown, L., 2020. What makes an engaged employee? A facet-level approach to trait emotional intelligence as a predictor
of employee engagement. Personality and Individual Differences, 159, p.109892.
Hezlett, S.A. and McCauley, C.D., 2018. Employee development: The process and practice of work-related learning.
Khatri, P. and Gupta, P., 2019. Development and validation of employee wellbeing scale–a formative measurement model. International
Journal of Workplace Health Management.
Kurz, V., Hüsig, S. and Dowling, M., 2018. What drives different employee types of innovative behaviour? Development and test of an
integrative model of employee driven innovation in German firms. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Management, 22(4-5), pp.397-426.
McDaniel Jr, C. and Gates, R., 2020. Marketing research. John Wiley & Sons.
Saks, A.M., 2021. Caring human resources management and employee engagement. Human Resource Management Review, p.100835.