Research Report: Equality and Diversity in the Workplace at John Lewis

This report, focusing on John Lewis Partnership, investigates the significance of equality and diversity in the workplace. It begins with an introduction to the research, outlining the background, aim, objectives, and research questions. The report then details a comprehensive project management pla...Read More

Managing a Successful
Business Project
Table of Contents
TITLE- : Equality and diversity in the workplace...........................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1

TASK A ..........................................................................................................................................1
PROFESSIONAL RESEACH REPORT.........................................................................................1
Introduction of research..........................................................................................................1
Background to research study................................................................................................1
Aim of research......................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................1
Research Question .................................................................................................................2
Project Management Plan.......................................................................................................2
Research Methodology...........................................................................................................5
Data Analysis and Interpretation............................................................................................9
Reflection.............................................................................................................................17
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

TITLE- : Equality and diversity in the workplace
MAIN BODY
TASK A
PROFESSIONAL RESEACH REPORT
Introduction of research
For every business unit it is essential to adopt effective equality and diversity at
workplace because it help in developing systematic and positive working culture. By adopting
equality and diversity at workplace firm able to provide equal opportunities to their employees as
well as it will also motivate them to encourage to work (Aarseth, Rolstadås and Andersen, 2013).
Organisation taken for assignment is John Lewis which is a public limited company which is
operating at retail industry. Company is founded by John Spedan Lewis in year 1929. Its head
office is situated by London, United Kingdom. The aim of conducting this research is to identify
issues and challenges which are occur at workplace due to lack of equality and diversity as well
as it will also consider as measures that can be implement in order to resolve issues. For this
researcher adopt different method for gathering data such as primary, secondary, qualitative and
quantitative because it will help in gaining effective outcome.
Background to research study
The background of conducting this research is to identify challenges as well as issues that
may arise because of equality and diversity in workplace (Alzahrani and Emsley, 2013). Along
with this their will be also identification of measure which can be adopt for resolving it. It is so
because at the company's workplace it is necessary to adopt equality and diversity because that
will help in providing equal opportunities to all staffs at workplace.
Aim of research
“To identify issues and challenges that arise due to lack of equality and diversity at
workplace and measures which can be adopt in order to resolve it.” A study on John Lewis
Partnership.
Research Objectives
 To determine concept of equality and diversity in company.
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 To evaluate issues and challenges which can be developed due to lack of equality and
diversity at company.
 To identify measures which can be adopt in order to overcome issues and challenges
which arise due to lack of equality and diversity at workplace.
Research Question
 What is the concept of equality and diversity in company?
 What are the issues and challenges which can be developed due to lack of equality and
diversity at company?
 What are the measures which can be adopt in order to overcome issues and challenges
which arise due to lack of equality and diversity at workplace?
Project Management Plan
This plan is generally developed by researcher in order to describe about each and every
phase of project work that must be conducted in order to gain objective (Buttice, Colombo and
Wright, 2017). There are several elements that are included in project management plan such as
planning, executing, concluding, initiating and so on. Below project management plan is given
that is developed by researcher of this research-
Cost It is consider as amount which is required to conduct project in
effective manner so that research attain its desire goal (de Carvalho,
Patah and de Souza, 2015). In respect of this research which is based
on equality and diversity at workplace, cost required is £2000
because through this researcher gather information more
effectively related to topic. In respect of John Lewis Partnership
they £7000 in order to implement changes at workplace
according to the requirement.
Scope It refers to the objective which is gain by a company or researcher
due to conducting respective research. The main scope of research
for researcher is that they able to gather more appropriate
information and data which related to equality and diversity (Griffin,
2013). That can be used by others in future. On the other hand scope
of conducting research for respective company is that they able to
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adopt changes related to equality and diversity at workplace.
Time It is define as time duration which is required by researcher as well
as company in order to adopt change related to topic (Jeston, 2014).
In respect of researcher of this project, they required near by 85 days
for conducting whole research in effective manner. On the other
hand, respective company need approx 3 months in order to adopt
plan for implementing equality and diversity at workplace.
Quality It is consider as practices which are conducted by a company and
project manager in order to maintain quality of their work. In respect
of researcher for maintaining quality of project they will gather most
appropriate as well as authenticate data and information (Vom and
et. al., 2014). On the other hand in context of John Lewis
Partnership they provide training and development to their staffs so
that they maintain the quality of their work by following equality
and diversity.
Communication It is define as that practices through which company as well as
project manager conduct communication among their members in
order to inform about research (Kaiser, Arbi and Ahlemann, 2015).
In context of researcher as well as respective firm both can conduct
meeting with their staff or member so that they can easily
communicate about the research. They can also use e mail and
notice board display for communicating about informations related
to equality and diversity.
Risk It is consider as risk or issues which are associated with the project
and it is essential for researcher to consider it during decision
making (Keil, Lee and Deng, 2013). In respect of researcher, risk
associated are limited time duration, lack of resources, improper
respond and so on. On the other hand in context of John Lewis
Partnership, risk associated are employees resistance, lack of funds
and time and many other.
3

Resources It refers to the resources which are required by a researcher and
company in order to conduct project effectively. In context of
project manager resources which are required are time, pen, paper,
fund and so on. Whereas respective company required resources
like skilled employees, time, fund, proper data etc.
Work Breakdown Structure
It is consider as procedure in which researcher will divide whole work in small portion so
that they can gain objective by fulfilling small objectives (Martinsuo, 2013). By adopting this
project manager able to guide their member in more effective manner which lead to attainment
of goal successfully. It is so because it help in managing activities efficiently. Work breakdown
structure which is developed by respective research project manager is given below-
Gantt Chart
It is consider as bar diagram which help in determining project schedules that describe
about relationship among the current schedule status and practices or activities. It has vertical as
well as horizontal axis which represents practices and working status (Meredith, Mantel and
4

Shafer, 2017). The respective chart include several elements such as task list, time line, date line,
bars, progress, mile stones, dependencies and so on. It will also guide researcher in conducting
work in more effective manner according to the planned schedule.
5

Research Methodology
 Primary Research
It refers to procedure through which researcher can gather first hand data and information
related to their research topic. In this researcher collect information through themselves by
adopting different method like survey, interview, polls, observations and so on (Mir and
Pinnington, 2014). This process is little bit expensive as well as time taking because researcher
need to visit each and every respondents for collecting information. Data and information that
are gather through respective method are more reliable as well as accurate.
 Secondary Research-
In this research method data and information are gathered by someone else. It can be
either qualitative or quantitative. This is a cheap as well as time saving method which is used to
gather information and data (Morrison, 2013). In this data or information can be too old or not
much specificity based on the topic. There are several methods which will be adopted for this
such as gathering data or information through existing books, journals, articles, newspaper and
so on.
For the respective research, project manager will adopt primary research method so that
they can gather most appropriate as well as authenticate data as well as information. For this
researcher will develop questionnaire that will be filled by audiences.
 Qualitative Research-
Qualitative research is referred to a process of collecting non-numerical data and explains
the concepts, meaning, characteristics etc. The respective research method is not related with
numerical data (Schwalbe, 2015). Through this firm can resolve complex issues or situation by
breaking down whole procedure in simple as well as understandable form that can be adopt
easily. For this researcher may adopt different methods such as face to face interview because it
aid in determining views of others in effective manner. Moreover, in this some techniques are
partially structured and some are not structured.
 Quantitative Research-
Quantitative research can be defined as the research whose results are expressed in the
form that are easy to interpret like in the form of numbers or data. The research usually involves
using numbers, graphs and several statistical and mathematical tools in order to obtain desired
results (Too and Weaver, 2014). Surveys of various kinds, polls etc. can be counted among
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examples of quantitative research wherein the researcher collects data, analysis it and presents
the results in the form of numbers, statistics and graphs. This type of research can be put into two
categories namely - primary and secondary quantitative research.
In context of respective research, project manager will implement qualitative research
method because it lead to collecting more effective data and information that are based topic.
 Sampling-
It refer\to process in which related to identifying audiences from whom researcher will
gather informations and data related to topic. This is divided in two types i.e. probability
sampling as well as non probability sampling (Verzuh, 2015). For respective research researcher
will adopt random sample sampling because through it they able to provide equal opportunities
to all audiences. Along with this, sample size which is selected for respective research is 30
audiences.
 Questionnaire-
It is define as list of questions which are based on research topic. Through this research
can understand viewpoints of others in effective manner.
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Email Id:
Phone number:
Q1. Do you have any idea about equality and diversity at the workplace?
a. Yes
b. No
Q2. Did equality and diversity at workplace lead to business growth?
a. Yes
b. No
Q3. What are the advantages which are gain by John Lewis Partnership by adopting
equality and diversity at workplace?
a. Motivate Staff
b. Increase productivity
c. Enhance employees retention
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d. All of the above
Q4. What issues can be arise due to lack of equality and diversity at the John Lewis
Partnership?
a. Conflict situation
b. Demotivated employees
c. Reduce in productivity
d. All of the above
Q5. What are the strategies that are adopted by John Lewis Partnership in order to
maintain equality and diversity at workplace?
a. Provide equal opportunities to staffs
b. Involve them in decision making process
c. Develop rules and regulation
Q6. Which policy will more effective for promoting equality and diversity at the
workplace?
a. Develop flexible hours
b. Provide empowerment facilities
c. Both a and b
Q7. What are the main legal regulations introduced by government in order to promote
equality and diversity at workplace?
a. Adopt discrimination Act
b. Adopt equality Act
c. Provide equal opportunities
d. All of the above
Q8. Did implementation of equality and diversity enhance performance of employees at
John Lewis Partnership?
a. Yes
b. No
Q9. What are the main aspects which lead to inequality and diversity at the workplace of
John Lewis Partnership?
a. Discrimination on the basis of gender
b. Different pay of same job profile
8

c. No involvement of employees
d. All of the above
Q10. Any recommendation or suggestion would you like to provide
….....................................................................................................................................................
…................................................................................................................................................... .
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Theme 1: Idea about equality and diversity at the workplace
Q1. Do you have any idea about equality and diversity at the workplace? Frequency
a. Yes 25
b. No 5
Interpretation: By analysing above chart it can be interpret that maximum number of people
know about the concept of equality and diversity at the workplace. This is so because according
to data collected by researcher from 30 respondents, 25 of them know about the equality and
diversity at workplace. On the other hand left 5 people have no about the concept of diversity as
well as equality in a company. So after evaluation respective company can conduct meeting at
the workplace at which they can provide informations related to equality and diversity at the
company.
Theme 2: Equality and diversity at workplace lead to business growth
9
25
5
a. Yes
b. No

Q2. Did equality and diversity at workplace lead to business growth? Frequency
a. Yes 20
b. No 10
Interpretation: By analysing data gather by project manager it can be define that equality and
diversity help a company in enhancing business or growth. This data is gather from 30
respondents from which 20 says, they believe that equality and diversity help a firm in enhancing
their business in effective manner. Whereas left over 10 respondents think equality and diversity
didn't help in business growth so there is no effectiveness of following it at workplace. It is
essential for a company to adopt equality and diversity in effective manner so that employees
will fell motivated which lead to growth of business impressively.
Theme 3: Advantages of equality and diversity at John Lewis Partnership workplace
Q3. What are the advantages which are gain by John Lewis Partnership by
adopting equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a. Motivate Staff 6
b. Increase productivity 10
c. Enhance employees retention 8
d. All of the above 6
10
a. Yes b. No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
20
10
Column B

Interpretation: Researcher of respective research gather data from 30 respondents on the topic
of effectiveness of equality and diversity. Different people have different prospective related to
the advantages such as 6 respondents think that equality and diversity help in motivating staffs.
On the other hand, 10 audiences think that due to this aspects there is enhancement in staff
productivity as well as in respect of 8 people through implementing equality and diversity firm
able to enhance their employees retention. Moreover in respect of last 6 respondents these all
benefits are gain by John Lewis Company by implementing equality and diversity at their
workplace.
Theme 4: Issues can be arise due to lack of equality and diversity at the John Lewis
Partnership
Q4. What issues can be arise due to lack of equality and diversity at the
John Lewis Partnership?
Frequency
a. Conflict situation 6
b. Demotivated employees 12
c. Reduce in productivity 9
d. All of the above 3
11
6
10 8
6
a. Motivate Staff
b. Increase productivity
c. Enhance employees
retention
d. All of the above

Interpretation: By conducting analysis of data which is gather by respective report project
manager from 30 respondents on the issues that can be arise due to lack of equality and diversity.
According to 6 peoples if a company not adopt equality and diversity it will lead to conflict
situation as well as in respect of 12 this will demotivate respective company staffs. On the other
hand, according to 9 respondents if an organisation will not implement equality and diversity
practices at the workplace it will reduce their productivity as well as in context of 6 respondents
it will lead to all above issues at workplace if a company avoid equality and diversity.
Theme 5: Strategies that are adopted by John Lewis Partnership in order to maintain
equality and diversity at workplace
Q5. What are the strategies that are adopted by John Lewis Partnership in
order to maintain equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a. Provide equal opportunities to staffs 10
b. Involve them in decision making process 12
c. Develop rules and regulation 8
12
6
12
9
3
a. Conflict situation
b. Demotivated employees
c. Reduce in productivity
d. All of the above

Interpretation: By evaluating above chart which is developed by researcher after gathering data
from 30 respondents on the topic of identification of Strategies that can be adopted by John
Lewis Partnership in order to maintain equality and diversity at workplace. In respect of 10
respondents company may providing equal opportunities to staffs for maintaining equality and
diversity. On the other hand 12 peoples think that by involving staffs in decision making process
respective company can lead to equality and diversity at the workplace as well as according to
left over 8 audiences by developing proper rules and regulation John Lewis Partnership can lead
to equality and diversity.
Theme 6: Policy will more effective for promoting equality and diversity at workplace of
John Lewis Partnership
Q6. Which policy will more effective for promoting equality and diversity at
the workplace?
Frequency
a. Develop flexible hours 15
b. Provide empowerment facilities 10
c. Both a and b 5
13
10
12
8
a. Provide equal
opportunities to staffs
b. Involve them in decision
making process
c. Develop rules and
regulation

Interpretation: By evaluating above graph which showcase perspective of 30 audiences on the
policy will more effective for promoting equality and diversity at workplace of John Lewis
Partnership. According to 15 respondents out of 30 think that development of flexible working
hours lead to equality and diversity at workplace. But in respect of 10 audiences by providing
empowerment facilities John Lewis Partnership able to develop effective implementation of
equality and diversity. Along with this, according to the left over 5 respondents out of 30, thinks
that both the strategies i.e. develop flexible hours and provide empowerment facilities help
respective firm in enhancing equality and diversity at the workplace in successful manner.
Theme 7: Main legal regulations introduced by government in order to promote equality
and diversity at workplace
Q7. What are the main legal regulations introduced by government in order
to promote equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a. Adopt discrimination Act 6
b. Adopt equality Act 11
c. Provide equal opportunities 9
d. All of the above 4
14
15
10
5
a. Develop flexible hours
b. Provide empowerment
facilities
c. Both a and b

Interpretation:From above graph it is interpreted that on asking about various regulations which
have been introduced by government to promote equality and diversity at workplace there was a
scattered response of all respondents. Majority of them that is 11 respondents had a view that
equality act must be adopted, 9 felt that equal opportunities must be provided, 6 had a view that
discrimination act and remaining 4 felt that all the three options are feasible and must be adopted
by organisation for promoting equality & diversity.
Theme 8: Implementation of equality and diversity enhance performance of employees at
John Lewis Partnership
Q8. Did implementation of equality and diversity enhance performance of
employees at John Lewis Partnership?
Frequency
a. Yes 20
b. No 10
15
6
11
9
4
a. Adopt discrimination Act
b. Adopt equality Act
c. Provide equal opportunities
d. All of the above
a. Yes b. No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
20
10
Column B

Interpretation: From the above graph it has been analysed that out of 30 respondents, 20
respondents think that execution of equality & diversity at workplace increase and raise the level
of performance as well as effectiveness of employees. On contrary, 10 respondents say no, they
think that equality and diversity in the organisation did not enhance effectiveness and
performance of subordinates.
Theme 9: Main aspects which lead to inequality and diversity at the workplace of John
Lewis Partnership
Q9. What are the main aspects which lead to inequality and diversity at the
workplace of John Lewis Partnership?
Frequency
a. Discrimination on the basis of gender 10
b. Different pay of same job profile 6
c. No involvement of employees 5
d. All of the above 9
Interpretation: From above mentioned graph it can be seen that when it was asked to 30
respondents about main aspects which can lead to inequality or diversity there was a majority
answer that discrimination based on gender affects most. 6 had a view that different pay made to
same profile of hob is also a reason of inequality and 5 felt that no involvement of employees is
also a big reason. Remaining 9 employees agreed on all the three above mentioned options as
they felt that all these three aspects lead to inequality and diversity practises taking place at
workplace.
16
10
6 5
9
a. Discrimination on the basis
of gender
b. Different pay of same job
profile
c. No involvement of
employees
d. All of the above

Reflection
I am very happy that I get such as huge opportunity to conduct my initial research on
equality and diversity at workplace because through this I able to know my skills, abilities and
weakness. There are several strengths which I get know while conducting respective research
and those are like communication skills, time management skills, problem solving, flexibility
skill and so on. On the other hand I also get to know about my weakness such as I am weak in
decision making, adapting new things, technological skills and so on and it is necessary for me to
improve these skills because it will help me in my future career. Along with this by conducting
research I able to enhance my knowledge about equality as well as diversity at the workplace. By
conducting this research I also able know that there are several method which a company's
project manager can adopt in order to gather information as well as data related to topic such as
qualitative, quantitative, primary and secondary.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After conducting research, there are several recommendations which are provided by
project manager to management of John Lewis Partnership, from which some are given below:-
 It is suggested to respective company to develop proper policies, rules and regulation so
that they can provide equal opportunities to all staffs at the workplace.
 Respective company must consider their each and every employees in decision making
process so that they feel important and connected towards the workplace.
 John Lewis Partnership must also adopt legislation like discrimination act in order to
avoid respective type of situation at workplace which impact on equality and diversity.
These are the main recommendations which can be adopted by management of John
Lewis Partnership in order to conduct their work in effective as well as appropriate manner by
consider every staffs.
CONCLUSION
By above discussed point it can be evaluate as well as summarise that, for each and every
company it is essential to adopt equality and diversity at workplace because it will lead to
providing equal opportunities to staffs. Moreover it will also lead to attainment of desired goal as
well as objectives successful. This is so because each and every employees feel important at the
workplace. In addition to this, a research can also develop a project management plan so that
17

they can plan every aspect effectively including cost, time, quality, resources, communication,
risk and so on. Project manager can also develop Gantt Chart and work breakdown structure in
order to conduct effective planning of project which leads to attainment of goal. Along with this
for developing strategies it is also necessary for company and researcher to gather proper
information and data related to their topic . For that they may use different methods like primary,
secondary, qualitative and quantitative.
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