Marks & Spencer Project: Equality and Diversity in the Workplace

This report, focusing on Marks & Spencer, explores the critical issues and challenges that arise from equality and diversity within the workplace. It begins with an introduction outlining the project's aims, objectives, and research questions, followed by a literature review that defines equality and diversity in an organizational context, highlighting the potential negative consequences of neglecting these principles, such as reduced employee engagement and increased turnover. The report then presents a detailed project management plan, including cost analysis, timelines, and risk assessments. The methodology section details the research approach, including the use of the research onion, to justify the selection of the positivism philosophy. The data analysis and interpretation sections provide insights into the findings. The report concludes with reflections, recommendations, and suggestions for improvement, offering actionable strategies for fostering a more inclusive and equitable work environment.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
1

Contents
TITLE: “What issues and challenges may arise out of equality and diversity in the workplace and
what measures could be taken to resolve them?”............................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Aim and objectives of project......................................................................................................3
2. Literature Review.........................................................................................................................4
Concept of equality and diversity in relation to organisation.................................................4
Issues and challenges that may arise out from not maintaining equality and diversity in
workplace...............................................................................................................................5
Different measures which assist in resolving the issues associated with equality and diversity
................................................................................................................................................5
3. Project Management Plan............................................................................................................6
Gantt chart..............................................................................................................................7
Work Breakdown structure...................................................................................................10
4. Research methods and approaches.............................................................................................10
5. Data analysis and interpretation.................................................................................................14
Data analysis.........................................................................................................................14
Data interpretation................................................................................................................15
6. Reflection on overall experience from project...........................................................................22
7. Recommendations and suggestions for improvement...............................................................22
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
2

TITLE: “What issues and challenges may arise out of equality and diversity in the
workplace and what measures could be taken to resolve them?”
INTRODUCTION
1. Aim and objectives of project
Background of study:
Equality and diversity and very significant concepts in an organisation and is necessary
for management to ensure it within the workplace. It will provide many benefits to company in
terms of improved profitability, increase employee engagement, promote innovation and
creativity etc. (Sarter and Thomson, 2019). However, there are several challenges that may arise
while maintaining equality and diversity in workplace. Marks and Spencer is a well-known
organisation which offer its products and services since 1884. This project aims to assess the
issues and challenges which may arise due to quality and diversity in workplace and the
measures that can be taken to resolve them.
Aim of study:
The primary aim of performing this project is “To assess the issues and challenges that
may arise out of equality and diversity in work place and the measures which could be taken to
resolve them. A case study on Marks & Spencer”.
Objectives of study:
The objectives associated with this study are provided underneath:
1. To understand the equality and diversity concept in relation to organisation.
2. To analyse the issues and challenges arise out from not maintaining equality and diversity in
workplace.
3. To determine different measures which assist in resolving the issues associated with equality
and diversity.
Questions of research:
The research questions in relation to this project are as follows:
3

1. What is the concept of equality and diversity in relation to organisation?
2. What are the issues and challenges that may arise out from not maintaining equality and
diversity in workplace?
3. What can be the different measures which assist in resolving the issues associated with
equality and diversity?
2. Literature Review
It represent a systematic analysis and scanning of secondary information exists in the form
of pats facts and researchers work. Literature review forms an important part of a project as it
provides a base for further investigation and also leads to better information and understanding
about the selected topic and its objective with the help of secondary sources (Buttrick, 2018).
For current project following literature review is lead out on the topic of equality and diversity
with the help of review and scanning of online articles and journal, a discussion and analysis of
which is provided below:
Concept of equality and diversity in relation to organisation
As per the view point of Mary Jones, 2019, the concept of equality is all about ensuring
that everybody has an equal opportunity and fair atmosphere within an organisation where no
one is treated differently or discriminated because of their characteristics or physical appearance.
Further, it has been also analysed that the concept of diversity is associated and related with
setting and placing a positive value among people belongs to different culture and background
through eliminating and reducing those differences. Apart from this, it has been also analysed
that the Offering fair, courteous and equal opportunities to all individuals along with making
strategies and efforts for fully embracing the principle in order to treat all employees with
fairness is also a vital aspect of concept of equality. On the other hand, diversity facilities and
ensures knowledge of different areas of the community along with a better understanding of
market segments and consumer behaviour through recruiting and hiring employees from
different background (Christian, 2019). Thus, an analysis can be that concept of equality and
diversity in relation to organisation is also about providing a working environment where people
of all backgrounds and experience feel valued and equally appreciated.
4

Issues and challenges that may arise out from not maintaining equality and diversity in
workplace
With respect to the information provided by the Brown, J., 2017, it has been analysed that
many issues and challenges are encountered by an organisation in absence of equality and
diversity at its workplace. Ineffective workplace culture lead by lack of collaboration and
coordination among employees is lead by absence of equality as employees belongs to other
culture and background feel humiliated and discriminated. Apart from thus, lack of equality and
diversity leads to creation of a negative feeling and dissatisfaction among employees which leads
to increase in the case of employee turnover and also hampers the motivation and performance
level of employees (Gechman, 2019). Apart from this, an analysis can also be made that the lack
of equality and diversity in workplace leads to enhancement in cases of harassment and criticism
at workplace which leads to creation of stress and depression among employees who belongs to
diversified culture that hampers the morale and satisfaction level of employees which carets and
lead to many challenges for an organisation in form of high employees turnover along with
enhanced chances of chaos and conflicts at place of work.
Different measures which assist in resolving the issues associated with equality and diversity
According to the opinion of the Greene, A.M., 2019, it has been analysed that various
measures are there which provide assistance and guidance to resolve the issue associated with
equality and diversity. Encourage effective communication among employees is a vital measures
which assist in resolving the issues associated with equality and diversity as it encouraging a
better collaboration and bonding among employees which eliminates the chances of chaos and
conflicts. Apart from this, Developing diversity policies and unbiased HR practises is also a vital
way to ensure better creation of diversity at workplace through providing equal job opportunity
and fair promotion strategies to all employees without any kind of discrimination on the basis of
race, culture or background of an employee. Providing regular cultural and diversity training is
also a vital measure and way to support equality and diversity through enhancing knowledge of
all employees about various culture so that a sense and feeling of respect and mutual
consideration can be generated among diversified employees for better management of equality
and diversity (Iacobucci and Rosa, 2019).
5

3. Project Management Plan
Project management plan basically represent a written form of document that is mainly
used by a manager and researcher to provide vital information and guidance for a project or
investigation. Project management plan comprises of detailed information regarding the various
aspects of project starting from its commencement, execution, implementation and monitoring
(Islam, 2019). Following project management plan has been prepared for current project on
Marks and Spencer which provided all needed information regarding the crucial aspects of
current project.
Cost- The aspect of project management plan facilitates information about the estimated
expense and cost of various activities involved in conducing and leading out a project. The cost
of current project has been estimated around £ 200 a bifurcation of which is provide below.
Estimated Budget
Particulars Amount
Transportation cost £60
Cost incurred in technology and internet £100
Other Expenses £40
Total Cost £200
Time- The information regarding the estimated duration which is required to conduct or
complete a project is provided by this aspect of project management plan. The efficiency and
viability of a project is mainly depended in the duration required for completing a project
(Buttrick, 2018). The estimated time duration needed to achieve objective of current project and
complete all set of activities and task is around 9-10 weeks.
Quality- The quality level of a project is mainly depended on the authenticity and
reliability of data collected along with meeting all the ethical consideration while performing an
investigation. To maintain the quality level of current project data has been collected only from
authentic sources to maintain the faithfulness and authenticity of data. Further to meet the better
quality level implication and use of both primary and secondary sources had been made.
6

Communication- It is one of the ms crucial aspect and part of project management plan
which is related and associated with the ensuring free flow of information. To maintain an
interrupted and continuous flow of data and information during the times of COVID-19 for
current project use and implication of online modes of communication is made which consists of
e-mails and social media tools (Christian, 2019).
Risk- This aspect of project management plan provides information about various issues
and problems that can be faced while conducting or performing any task. The main issue is
related with management of time and resources as because of COVID-19 many issues and
obstacles are faced during collection of data that forms biggest risk for current project.
Resources- It represent the set of assets and techniques that are utilised for conducting
and performing a project and research work. Current project comprises of use of human resource
in form of participants and team members, financial resource to mmeet reserch expenses,
technical resource like internet and other assets are made to achieve the deired targets and
objective of current research.
Scope- The scope of current investigation is very wide which comprises of issues and
challenges may arise out of equality and diversity in the workplace along with determination of
the measures that could be taken to resolve them (Gechman, 2019).
Gantt chart
It is basically a horizontal bar graph that provides information about the research task and
activities in a more clear and systematic way. Thus, use of following Gantt chart is made to
systematically present the activities of current project in order to remove the chances of chaos
and over lapping of work (Miller, 2020).
ACTI
VITES
W
E
E
K
1
W
E
E
K
2
W
E
E
K
3
W
E
E
K
4
W
E
E
K
5
W
E
E
K
6
W
E
E
K
7
W
E
E
K
8
W
E
E
K
9
Submis
sion of
7

researc
h
proposa
l
Comple
te
backgr
ound
informa
tion for
researc
h
project
Collect
second
ary
sources
of
informa
tion for
researc
h
project
Complete
research
methodology
and collect
primary and
secondary
sources of
8

information
Comple
te
collecti
ng data
for
study
and
present
the
result
Determ
ining
Budget
Data
Interpre
tation
and
analysi
s
Evaluat
ing
results
and
finding
s
Comple
te the
report
and
9

submit
the
final
report
Work Breakdown structure
It is a project management tool which is used for current project to remove the chances of
duplication of work through properly bifurcating and dividing the complex activities into small
manageable task for timely accomplishment of set objectives (Cachia, 2019).
4. Research methods and approaches
It forms a vital part of every project which comprises of discussion about the methods and
approaches used for gathering of information along with analysis and interpretation (Gordon,
2018). For implication and use of appropriate form of research method utilisation of research
onion is made which provides viable justification for selection of each method and approach.
10

Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research philosophies- Basically this forms the first layer of research onion that is divided
into four parts which comprises of Posistivitism, realism, interpretivism and pragmatism form of
research philosophy. Out of theses four types use of positivism form of philosophy is most
suitable and justifiable as it facilitates and lead a more systematic and practical set of principles
to lead a study and meet desired objectives (Hamidullah, 2015).
Research approach- It is basically represent the second layer of resrch onion that is
bifurcated into two main types i.e. deductive and inductive approach. From these two set of
approaches adoption of deductive approach is more suitable and justifiable as it provide support
for quantitative form of data and also facilities a better analysis and testing of collected data to
meet and achieve set objectives.
Research strategy- This provides a complete framework and design for a conducting and
leading out a research which comprises of action research, experimental research, interviews,
surveys, case study research or a systematic literature review (Lee, 2018). With respect to current
investigation use of survey method is made for collection of primary data through use of
questionnaire where as systematic literature review is used for secondary research work. The
questionnaire is as follows:
Questionnaire
Name:
11

Age:
Email:
Address:
Q 1) Are you aware of the concept related to equality and diversity in relation to a business
organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) In what way, having equality and diversity in workplace is beneficial for Marks &
Spencer?
a) Improves productivity
b) Increase engagement of employees
c) More diverse culture
d) Healthy workplace environment
Q 3) What can be the key issue that management of business entity face from not managing
equality and diversity in workplace?
a) Ineffective workplace culture
b) Increased turnover of employees
c) Low employee morale
d) Reduced productivity
Q 4) According to you, what can be the main impact of inequality on employees working
within Marks & Spencer?
a) Lack of motivation
b) Internal dissatisfaction
c) Increased absenteeism
Q 5) As per your opinion, which is the best way to resolve the issue related to equality and
diversity?
a) Encourage effective communication
b) Develop diversity policies
c) Provide diversity awareness training
d) Administering equal growth opportunities
12