Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: A Project Report Analysis

This project report examines the crucial concepts of equality and diversity in the workplace, focusing on a case study of Sainsbury's. The report begins with an abstract, introduction, and literature review, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis. Task 1 outlines the project's aims and objectives, deve...Read More

Managing Successful
Business Project

ABSTRACT
Equality and diversity at workplace affects organisational environment at deeper level. It is
wider as well as broader concept which is needed to be understood in proper way. This report is
about promoting equality at workplace and identifying the factors affecting the same. Different
types of research methods, data analysis has been discussed during the project. Main objective of
carrying out this report is to access business environment & identify whether the employees are
being treated equal or not.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review- ...............................................................................................................................4
TASK 1 ................................................................................................................................................4
P1 Prepare project aims and objectives for given organisation..................................................4
P2 Develop a project management plan......................................................................................5
P3 Explain a work breakdown structure & a Gantt chart to provide time frames & aspects for
completion...................................................................................................................................7
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................8
P4 Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches for meeting project aims and objectives.8
TASK 3...............................................................................................................................................10
P5: Examine your research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...........................10
P6 Provide Recommendations .................................................................................................14
TASK 4...............................................................................................................................................16
P7 Provide a Reflection.............................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................18
Books & Journal:......................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
In an organisation, employees are integral part of business who help them in achieving goals
and objectives. Equality and diversity at workplace is most crucial concept which is to be carried
out with proper considerations (Turk, 2016). At many work place, employees dare not being treated
equally and which give rise to discrimination. Sainsbury, multinational corporation and retail firm
headquartered in UK. Firm deals in variety of products such as groceries, apparels. Cosmetics etc.
This report includes aims & objectives, project management plan, Gantt chart & WBS, research
methods, data analysis, recommendations and refection of learning. This report gives a brief
knowledge about research methodologies on equality and diversity at workplace.
Literature Review-
According to the view of (Charles. B, 2020), equality & diversity at workplace are to be
analysed so that positive relations are maintained between firm as well as employees. It is duty of
manager to make ensures that strategies & tactics are being used with proper considerations so that
problems faced by employees can be identified. The project is being carried out with motive of
understanding the equality within organisation using different tool such as Gantt Chart & Work
Break Down System. Then, further to gain information research is being carried out through use of
research approaches like primary and secondary data. Furthermore, learning reflection has been also
discussed in brief which gives a depth knowledge of project. By going through this report,
discussions have been made about importance of equality & diversity, impact on employees attitude
as well as behaviour.
TASK 1
P1 Prepare project aims and objectives for given organisation
Research aim- The main purpose of carrying out this research is adopt corrective measures
to promote equality & diversity at workplace. It is essential to have effective decision making in
organisation so that goals & objectives are achieved effectively. To achieve this aim manager of
project conducts group discussion and brainstorming. Another aim of this research is to bring out
the concept and understand in deeper level. It is crucial to focus on aims so that objectives are
achieved properly. By prior examining these aims leads to elimination of various problems &
issues in further process.
Research objectives-
 To analyse and promote equality at work environment.

 To understand the strategies used in undertaken concept.
 To identify impact of diversity in organisation and how it affects business environment
Research questions-
 Discuss briefly tactics adopted by firm to manage equality.
 What are major challenges faced by employee at workplace?
 Why it is important for manager to create a balanced environment?
 Does focusing on diversity attracts or increase sustainability period of personnel?
The stated paragraph shows that aims as well as objectives are to achieved with appropriate
measures. By doing this, it will be easier to attain mission & vision of enterprise. The given
objectives are to analysed prior to the implementation of project so that resources within the project
are used accordingly. Manager need to be aware about these so that decision making process is
carried out properly. Main reason for choosing this topic is that it help in understanding of diversity
and its impact on work environment. It is often seen that subordinates within the organisation
perform more efficiently when equal opportunities and they are treated equally by others or
superiors (Hardacre, 2018).
P2 Develop a project management plan
In research, it is crucial to develop a plan so that all goals which are to be achieved are
clearly specified. A PMP is defined as written documents in which all activities resources,
manpower, etc. (Colton, 2019. which are going to be used during project are clearly stated and
given. In relation with chosen entity, they also use PMP so that it become easier to understand the
further process in work. Moreover, through developing this problems or risk associated with goals
are identified in effective manner. It includes several factors which are discussed below-
Scope- This project has wider scope & applications used in this are accepted universally.
Equality & diversity at workplace is bing focused by every employee & entity. Through this, depth
knowledge of concept is to be gained. The undertaken topic is in trending which depicts that it will
be easier to gather data for given topic.
Time- It is also essential to focus and be aware about the time duration which will be
needed to complete project. Thus, 11 weeks are to be needed to finish the undertaken project. It is
necessary to finish all tasks on given deadline so that everything is managed in proper way. By
determining this, it is easier to determine funds or resources which will be needed during further
processes.

Task to perform Expenditure (Pound)
Examination of issue 8000
Development of Plans 15000
Research analysis 20000
Salary Of researchers 30000
Miscellaneous expenses 12000
Execution cost 20000
Quality- Then another element is quality which one of the major component and reflects
the reliability of work. It is necessary to examine that data or credentials which have been used are
taken from correct sources. So, to measure the quality of project, TQM which is total quality
management has been used with appropriate measures. It is responsibility of manager to assures
that data which are used are confidential and only authorized members can have access (Zwikael,
2019).
Communication- Without using effective communication it is not possible to communicate
within a team and with members. It refers to transferring of message between two or more than two
party. Therefore, in this research various tools have been used for communication which are E-
mails, Mobile, social media, etc.
Risk- Whenever a something new is initiated, issues and challenges are prior examined. A
risk refers to occurrence of unexpected events. There are ample number of risks which are
associated with this research such as access of information and data by unauthorized users, scarcity
of resources. These risks are to examined at time of project initiation. In reference with this, it is
necessary to be aware of such risk so that correct measures are adopted in most efficient way.
Resources- To finish the entire project within a given time period it is crucial to identify as
well as examine needed resources so that functions, operations, activities are performed properly.
Without them it is not possible to achieve final output results. There are various kinds of resources
which are required for example capital, efficient employees, infrastructure etc. Thus, these are to
used at the time when they are needed (Fuller, 2016).
After examining the above paragraph, it is seen that developing a PMP is not easy task and
requires depth analysis. Therefore, when preparing it correct knowledge or skills are to be applied.
Moreover, the explained components are used & assist in completion of project. They are to be
used after a proper considerations so that results are achieved in optimistic way (Veal, 2017).

P3 Explain a work breakdown structure & a Gantt chart to provide time frames & aspects for
completion.
Activities are essential which are to divided on basis of member capabilities, knowledge etc.
In a project, tasks are to be given to team members according to their specified departments such as
finance, quality, HR, etc. Also, manager responsible for assigning these tasks & for which they use
tools such as WBS and Gantt Chart. These both are further described below-
Gantt Chart- This is defined as visual representation of tasks which has been scheduled
during a time period (Ghauri, 2020). These are charts which are used for planning how work is to
be scheduled on day. Through this, it gives idea about start/ end date of tasks on a day. This is
mostly used by team managers to analyse progress of given task. Main purpose of using this tool is
to complete all activities in time period. So, to conduct this high level of expertise and knowledge
is required. Thus, below the Gantt chart is given-
Project Log
Weeks Date Update
1 10/05/20 On this day, it was about brainstorming and
group discussion.
2 17/05/20 This was all about what will be the project
will provide results and directs the direction.
3 21/05/20 Then, on Tuesday I started doing research on
the topic.
4 29/05/20 After these details, I prepared a budget for
undertaken project.

5 07/06/20 Further,after arranging of all the needed
information, then I moved to next phase.
6 21/06/20 On this day, I formulated questionnaire for
primary data collection
7 21/06/20 Then, I carry out the secondary sources of
approach.
8 29/06/20 This day was important as because I reached
to firm for gathering of data collection.
9 29/06/20 It was also critical day because I focused on
data entry for analysis.
10 02/07/20 It was time for doing data analysis for
collected information.
11 02/07/20 At last, report just got finished and
presentation is needed to be given in front of
project leaders.
Work Break Down Structure- It is another framework which is being adopted by
managers for projects. This is defined as tool which simplifies the complex work into simpler one.
(Berthiaume, 2019). Thus, activities are divided in simple way to accomplish the results in
optimistic manner. It help both managers & members to understand the work in simpler procedure.
In this report, it is used by supervisors so that errors do not arise in process. Furthermore, it is assist
in effective decision-making process which is used at larger scale (Blumenberg, 2018).
TASK 2
P4 Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches for meeting project aims and objectives
Research approaches are to be used in such a way that correct information is collected on
basis of which process is carried out further. Without using these methods, it is difficult to make
decisions and obtain objectives. So, basically there two types of methods which are used such as
quantitative & qualitative. These are to be used in most effective way.
Quantitative method-
In this, it is used for gathering up data which are related with numericals, calculations etc.
(Patten, 2016). They provide reliable data regarding the source through which intensity of research
also increases. This is done by use of methods such as surveys, interviews, questionnaires etc.

Rationale- Main reason for using this is that it provide correct source of data with appropriate
statistics.
Qualitative-
This refers to collecting of credentials in theoretical form for the specified content (Schrepp,
2017). It provide data with good quality so that it can be used in proper way. Rationale- It is used
because it provide with detailed information regarding the topic with different aspects.
Thus, quantitate approach is considered for gathering as well collecting credentials for
project. As, it gives correct analysis of data which help in decision-making process.
Methods of data collection- Data collection approaches are essential for gathering
credentials of particular topic. There are various type of methods which are explained below-
Primary data- These are defined as method in which credentials are collected from the
new and updated sources which has not been used by anyone. It reflects the credibility of matter &
data. This includes survey forms, interviews etc. Reason- It is used because it delivers fresh/
updated information.
Secondary data- These are those in which data is obtained from secondary sources like
magazines, blogs, newspapers etc. These are less time consuming as compared to primary one.
Reason- This is being considered because it is easy to use and deliver ease of access to information.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1) Are you aware about concept of equality and diversity in the workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you have knowledge regarding significance of diverse and inclusive workforce within
business organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) What paybacks are adopted by enterprise through execution of equality in the business?

a) Reducing workforce
b) Employing a deserving employees
c) Generating an innovative workplace
Q4) At what intensity does equality and diversity assists in generating effectual workforce for
enterprise
a) Favourable approach
b) Adverse method
c) Neutral
Q5) As per your observation what kinds of schemes adopted by Sainsbury to maintain a diverse
and inclusive workforce?
a) Make civilizing procedures
b) Gather inclusion feedback on a regular basis
Q6) What challenges can occur for Sainsbury when trying to initiate a diverse and inclusive
workplace?
a) Ethnic & Cultural Differences
b) Language as well as Communication
c) Gender Equality
TASK 3
P5: Examine your research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Sampling: This is defined as the way by which data of the research is collected. It is
essential that all data is managed properly for working effectively and getting desired results. In the
present research, sample size is 40 and data is interpreted by analysing thinking of respondents.
(Master, 2017).
Theme 1: idea in respect of equality and diversity in the workplace.
Q1) Are you aware about concept of equality and diversity in the workplace? Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10

Interpretation: Equality and diversity are most important factors for the management of an
organisation. There is need for implementing various policies and rules that are implemented within
organisation in relation to the equality. The above chart demonstrates that out of the 40
respondents, only 10 respondents were not having knowledge about equality and diversity. (Ku,
2017).
Theme 2: Awareness regarding significance of diverse and inclusive workforce within business
organisation.
Q2) Are you have awareness regarding significance of diverse and inclusive
workforce within business organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Interpretation: From the above discussion, it is concluded that there are 35 respondents
30
10
35
5

who know that equality and diversity policies are essential within a workplace. This is helpful for
managing the attainment of goals and having a peaceful workplace. There is only one respondent
who do not think the significance affect of using the policy and procedures of workplace
discrimination (Turk, 2016).
Theme 3: Paybacks to organisations through execution of equality in the business.
Q3) What are paybacks to enterprise through execution of equality in the
business?
Frequency
a) Reducing workforce turnover 10
b) Employing a competent employees 10
c) Generating an innovative workplace 10
d) Capturing superior consumer market 10
Interpretation: From the above graph, it is concluded that there are some paybacks which
the company has to handle for executing the business processes in effective manner (Hardacre,
2018). There are equal number of respondents i.e. 10 who thinks that the payback for organisation
through execution of equality within business causes minimisation of workforce turnover,
employing a competent employee, generation of innovative workplace and capturing of consumer
market (Zwikael, 2019).
Theme 4: Effectiveness of equality and diversity
Q4) At what intensity does concepts of equality and diversity assists in
generating effectual workforce for entity?
Frequency
a) Favourable approach 30
10
10 10
10

b) Adverse method 6
c) Neutral 4
Interpretation: Workplace is affected by the implementation of equality and diversity
practices at workplace. These include favourable methods, adverse methods and neutral. Majority
of respondents think that favourable method is key for generating effectual workplace. Other 6
respondents think that this is due to adverse method and 4 respondents think that this has no affect.
(Colton, 2019).
Theme 5: kinds of schemes adopted by Sainsbury in order to maintain a diverse and inclusive
workforce.
Q5) As per your observation what kinds of schemes adopted by Sainsbury in
order to maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce?
Frequency
a) Make civilizing procedures 15
b) Gather inclusion feedback on a regular basis 12
c) Language education Empowerment 13
30
6
4

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is concluded that there are various schemes which
Sainsbury has adopted for maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce (Ghauri, 2020).
According to the graph, it is concluded that out of the 40 respondents, there are 15 respondents who
think that making civilizing procedures is the most appropriate scheme for maintaining diversity.
On the other hand, 12 respondents think that gathering inclusion feedback on regular basis is the
key and remaining 13 respondents think that language education empowerment is the scheduled that
will help to manage equality and diversity (Fuller, 2016).
Theme 6: Problems or issues can occur for Filial when trying to start a diverse and inclusive
workplace.
Q6) What problems can occur for chosen entity when trying to start a diverse
and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
a) Ethnic & Cultural Differences 13
b) Language as well as Communication 15
c) Gender Equality 12
15
12
13

Interpretation: From the above discussion, it is concluded that out of 40 respondents, there
are 13 respondents who think that ethnic and cultural differences can occur within Sainsbury if
there is implementation of the equality and diversity policies and procedures then there are ethnic
and cultural differences take place. Also, there are 15 respondents who think that there is barrier for
language due to the equality and diversity practice. There are 12 respondents who think that gender
equality practise will occur (Veal, 2017).
P6 Provide Recommendations
On the basis of above discussion carried out in the study, it can be said that equality and
diversity are important considerations for each and every organisation. In this regard, it is well
known that many companies in the hyper competitive world are often accused of developing a
working atmosphere whereby equality and diversity are not preached in an effective manner. This
brings bad name to the organisation in the long run and duly affects its financial performance within
the market place. To avoid this, the organisations functioning across the globe take several
initiatives or measures with the help of which they can duly ensure that a working atmosphere
promoting equality as well as diversity is developed within the bounds of firm (Berthiaume, 2019).
Now, Sainsbury's is a well renowned organisation which carries out its business operations
within many parts of the world. This exposes the entity to several instances whereby it can breach
equality and diversity norms. The organisation has extensive goodwill across the globe owing to
which it can not afford to get indulged in unethical practices like breach of equality and diversity
practices. The top management of the respective company realises the significance of keeping
equality and diversity at its heart so that the people belonging to the company exhibit cultural
sensitivity towards one another. This provides due assistance in creation of a positive working
scenario which motivates the personnel to work effectively as per the expectations as well as the
requirements of the corporation. Thus, certain recommendations are provided beneath to the top
13
15
12

management of Sainsbury's following which it will be able to develop a culture whereby diversity is
facilitated at all times:-
 The top management can organize workshops where the employees pertinent to the
organisation will be educated about the importance of maintaining E & D at workplace.
This will even assist in opening minds of employees & help them in being culturally
sensitive towards one another.
 In addition to this, training should be provided by the top management of the respective firm
to the employees so that they can adopt business activities and practices which foster
equality and diversity within the work premises (Blumenberg, 2018).
 Besides this, it is also recommended that the HR department should be stringent upon the
subject of equality and diversity. In this relation, the HR manager should focus upon
dismissal of employees which constantly breach the norm. They can even be given
punishments or made to pay penalties for breaching The Equality Act.
 Along with this, active promotion of equality and diversity policy within the bounds of
Sainsbury's should take place. This will ensure that a fear gets instilled within the employees
regarding the maintenance of and adherence to both the aspects at workplace. This fear will
restrain the staff members from getting involved in unethical practices like breach of
equality and diversity policy.
TASK 4
P7 Provide a Reflection
After going through this report, I have concluded that organisation environment are
dynamic in nature & many of them are unaware of equality/ diversity at work environment. It is
essential for HR to have proper knowledge regarding the various approaches to finish the project.
To do this, Gantt chart/ Work break down structure has been used with appropriate considerations.
Then further, during this process my critical thinking skills are increased which will be beneficial
for me in future.
This has also seen that it is necessary to communicate with team in most appropriate way so
that results are obtained without facing any issue. Therefore, when choosing of data collection
methods they are to be done in most suitable way so that minimal changes are to be done in future
period or time. While going with this research it was analysed that time is critical component which
is being focused while completion of work. I have contributed my most of crucial time in gathering
credentials for topic so that results can be obtained. It is analysed that to achieve goals within a
firm, it is crucial to maintain equality so that personnel are able to work with high morale.

CONCLUSION
After a brief analysis of undertaken report, it has been observed that equality as well as
diversity are crucial to be managed & also which can be used as strategy for retaining employees.
Through this, it is easier to maintain positive relationship between both organisation &
subordinates. Furthermore, data collections methods are to be used after proper analysis of
research. Quantitative, and qualitative approaches are adopted to obtain information. With help of
data analysis, recommendations and reflections is carried out.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal:
Turk, 2016.Equality on trial: Gender and rights in the modern American workplace. University of
Pennsylvania Press.
Hardacre, 2018. Whose issue is it anyway? The effects of leader gender and equality message
framing on men’s and women’s mobilization toward workplace gender equality.Frontiers in
psychology,9, p.2497.
Colton, 2019. Workplace democracy and the problem of equality.Technical Communication,66(1),
pp.53-67.
Zwikael, 2019. The responsibilities of the project owner in benefits realization. International
Journal of Operations & Production Management.
Fuller, 2016. 1 The aims and objectives of apprenticeship. apprenticeships?, p.11.

Ghauri, 2020.Research methods in business studies. Cambridge University Press.
Veal, 2017.Research methods for leisure and tourism. Pearson UK.
Berthiaume, 2019.Methods and apparatus to change a feature set on data collection devices. U.S.
Patent 10,242,017.
Blumenberg, 2018. Response rate differences between web and alternative data collection methods
for public health research: a systematic review of the literature.International journal of
public health,63(6), pp.765-773.
Patten, 2016.Questionnaire research: A practical guide. Routledge.
Schrepp, 2017. Construction of a Benchmark for the User Experience Questionnaire
(UEQ).IJIMAI,4(4), pp.40-44.
Ku, 2017. From people-center to eco-center social work: a reflection and recommendation.
Master, 2017. A Mentoring Opportunity: A joint effort in writing letters of recommendation.
Accountability in research,24(1), pp.52-59.
Parameshwaran, 2019.Driver assessment and recommendation system in a vehicle. U.S. Patent
10,198,772.