Managing Workplace Discrimination: Equality and Diversity Practices

This report investigates the contribution of equality and diversity practices in managing workplace discrimination, with a focus on TESCO. It examines the concept of workplace discrimination and the importance of equality and diversity practices in effective employee management. The research employs both primary and secondary methods, utilizing quantitative analysis to reveal the advantages of these practices, such as improved marketplace image, reduced employee turnover, and efficient goal achievement. The report also includes a literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and interpretations, culminating in recommendations and a conclusion on the role of equality and diversity in minimizing workplace discrimination issues within TESCO.

Contribution of equality and
diversity practices in managing
workplace discrimination
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The below mentioned project is based on the research topic “To determine the
contribution of equality and diversity practices in managing workplace discrimination”.
Workplace discrimination is determined as the one of the main issue that has been seen in
many companies. It can be said that if any of the stated discrimination takes place at
workplace then it directly places negative impact over the employees which results in decline
in their productivity and proficiency. In this project primary as well as secondary methods
have been taken into consideration for gathering maximum information on the proposed topic
that has been further analysed with the usage quantitative method. The finding section of the
project have revealed that the main advantages that TESCO can attain with these practices are
good image at marketplace, reduction in employee turnover and quick achievement of
predetermined goals and objectives.
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Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
TITLE: - Equality and diversity at workplace.................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................5
Overview & Background of the study....................................................................................5
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................6
The concept of workplace discrimination..............................................................................6
Importance of equality and diversity practices towards effective management of employees in
TESCO...................................................................................................................................7
Role of equality and diversity practices in minimising issues related with workplace
discrimination in TESCO.......................................................................................................8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................9
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS.........................................................................14
Research Outcomes........................................................................................................................26
Reflection & recommendation for alternative research methodology...........................................26
Recommendation & Alternative research methodology......................................................27
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................27
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................28
Appendix........................................................................................................................................30
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TITLE: - Equality and diversity at workplace.
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is referred to as the procedure through which businesses promotes
equality within the company in terms of several opportunity that are provided to employees at
workplace (Köllen, Kakkuri-Knuuttila and Bendl, 2018). This discrimination can be seen in
many forms such as like gender, racial, religion, age, nationality, disability and sexual
discrimination. The present investigation has been conducted by considering TESCO a well
known retailer of UK, in order to explore detailed information on how equality and diversity
contributes in reducing workplace discrimination. In this regard investigator has developed
effective aim, objectives and questions which will lead whole team in gathering with the usage of
primary and secondary methods. It will provide explanation on several methods helpful in
conducting research and ends with the appropriate recommendation, reflection and conclusion
over the research problem.
Overview & Background of the study
Equality is acknowledged as most important thing at workplace which ensures that all
employees working within the company are getting equivalent opportunity. Incorporation of
practices that includes equality are considered as the most effective initiatives taken by the
company that helps them out in motivating employees and influencing them to perform the
assigned work in best possible way (Ng and Sears, 2018). Whereas, diversity is seen as the
inclusion of individuals belonging to different cultural background, religion, education etc. at
workplace who collaboratively works together for attaining organisational goals and objectives
in quicker manner. It has also been analysed that incorporation of equality and diversity practices
at workplace simply helps businesses in gaining competitive edge. The present report is based on
TESCO a large scale UK based company which belongs to retail industry. This company is a
large British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer which operates its business
throughout the world. It maintains its presence world-wide where it operates approx. 3400 stores
and also maintains its online presence which makes it capable of catering the customers belongs
to different geographical background (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019). The respective company has its
operations across the world. The main reason behind the success of the company is the hard
work of its employees who are working collaboratively for attaining success towards the same by
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achieving their predetermined aim and objectives in quicker manner. The management team of
the company also believes that for maintaining performance of the employees (Shore, Cleveland
and Sanchez, 2018). For this they ensure that none of discrimination associated activities takes
place within the company thus in order to attain the success at international marketplace the
respective company ensures to incorporate equality and diversity practices at workplace. In this,
regard the management team of this company has hired professional researcher to conduct
research over the equality and diversity practices and how it effectively supports in eliminating
workplace discrimination at workplace (Gordon, 2018). With reference to the same, the
respected investigator has developed effective aim, objective and question based on the chosen
theme that will support investigator in conducting research in the same direction. The formulated
research aim, objectives and questions are specified as below:
Research Aim
The proposed research aim for the current investigation is “To determine the contribution
of equality and diversity practices in managing workplace discrimination.” A study on TESCO.
Research objectives
 To understand about the concept of workplace discrimination.
 To determine the importance of equality and diversity practices towards effective
management of employees in TESCO.
 To ascertain role of equality and diversity practices in minimising issues related with
workplace discrimination in TESCO.
Research questions
 What is the concept of workplace discrimination?
 What are the importance of equality and diversity practices towards effective
management of employees in TESCO?
 Explain role of equality and diversity practices in minimising issues related with
workplace discrimination in TESCO?
LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of workplace discrimination
According to the views and opinions of Nishii and et. al., (2018), workplace discrimination can
be defined as the biased as well as differential treatment received by an individual while at work
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station. Discrimination can be done on the basis of any of the following aspects: age, colour,
caste, ethnicity, parenthood, genetic information, creed, gender, race, nationality, sexual
orientation, religion and so on (Köllen, Kakkuri-Knuuttila and Bendl, 2018). Workplace
discrimination takes place in an instance whereby a person is discriminated in an adverse
manner. This is acknowledged to be one of the most prominent issues faced by a large number of
companies across the globe at the present time. When a company is found to be engaged in
workplace discrimination practice, it can be said that the practices of the firm are unethical or
illegal (Boella and Goss-Turner, 2019). Whereby the information about an entity being engaged
in the act of workplace discrimination is publicised by the media, it brings extensive bad name to
the company. Also, the staff retention becomes an issue in such companies as employees start
developing a feeling that they might also get posed to a similar incidence of workplace
discrimination in the future context. Thus, the employees of such entities prefer to switch to and
work in those organisations which have strong policies and systems that can prevent workplace
discrimination from taking place within the premises of the company (Gay, 2018). One of the
best ways through which companies across the globe tend to deal with the issue of workplace
discrimination is by way of stipulating strong as well as effective equality and diversity policy
and practices (Ng and Sears, 2018). This will ensure that the management of the company treats
every employee in an equal and fair manner, thereby not giving preferential behaviour to any
individual working within the confines of the entity.
Importance of equality and diversity practices towards effective management of employees in
TESCO
As per the view point presented by Kang and Kaplan, (2019), equality at workplace is defined as
the practice of treating every individual working within the confines of an entity in an equitable
manner irrespective of their age, caste, gender, creed, sex, race, religion, nationality etc. Opposed
to this, diversity is acknowledged as the practice of accepting individuals as they actually are,
together with their ideologies, thoughts, nationality and many aspects (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019).
Equality and diversity practices imply the execution of those practices within the organisation
that values the differences underlying between the individuals. Such practices emphasize upon
the development of a culture whereby every individual is treated in an equitable manner and not
discriminated against on any basis (Özbilgin, 2019). By implementing equality and diversity
practices within the company, an entity can derive a number of benefits. One of the biggest
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benefits is that the entity can gain the attention of a larger pool of individuals to place at the
positions vacant within the company. Yet another benefit linked to the implementation of
equality and diversity practices at TESCO is that the respective retail firm can capitalise upon the
ideas of individuals belonging to different national and cultural backgrounds in order to take
right decisions for the growth and development of entity (Thompson and Thompson, 2018). In
addition to this, such practices also provide assistance to entities like TESCO in retaining staff
for a longer period of time by valuing their differences and ensuring that they do not face any
kind of workplace discrimination. In the long run, equality and diversity practices have a positive
impact over the working along with financial performance of the corporation (Shore, Cleveland
and Sanchez, 2018).
Role of equality and diversity practices in minimising issues related with workplace
discrimination in TESCO
In accordance with the perspective of Iganski and Mason, (2018), it has been
acknowledged that equality and diversity practices are quite effective in minimising the extent of
issues prevailing within an entity owing to workplace discrimination. In the present context, the
concern of each and every corporation operating within the confines of an economy is to
maintain effective goodwill among the public as this provides assistance to them in building their
revenues as well as profitability. In this relation, every company ensures that they do not incur
any of such activities or practices that bring bad name to the corporation (Gordon, 2018).
Workplace discrimination is one of such activities which if supported by an organisation can
create a very bad image of the brand in the mindsets of customers. For an organisation like
TESCO, it is important that workplace discrimination is not supported in any instance and strict
measures are taken which can ensure that no such cases of prejudicial conduct encountered by
employees emerge in the long run (Staron, 2020). For this purpose, the HR management of
TESCO executes equality and diversity practices which tend to emphasize over the importance
of valuing the differences lying between the employees working within an organisation. This
encourages candidates of different origins and nationalities to become a part of the company and
stay loyal and dedicated to it for a long period of time. Furthermore, it also boosts the morale of
existing employees and encourages them to enhance their productivity so that the entity can
attain its corporate goals in a timely manner (Boella and Goss-Turner, 2019). This provides
assistance to an enterprise in creating an effective goodwill of the brand in the minds of
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customers and thereby gaining their support in boosting the financial performance of the firm.
This tends to imply the improvement of financial performance of an entity in the long run,
thereby helping it in gaining a competitive advantage at market place.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In present time, Research methodology is said to be a piece of an investigation which give
an essential data just as legitimization with respect to the few techniques, instruments,
approaches, procedures and so forth are utilized by investigator so as to perform investigation
(Flick, 2020). This specifically aid in coordinating the research adequately by assessing the
strategy accessible and pick the most appropriate one. The sort and techniques utilized for the
present examination of equity and assorted variety is referenced beneath:
Research design: - One of the primary aspect every single investigation where it is most
important for a researcher to conduct a proper Research design so that accumulation of
appropriate results can be done. Exploratory, experimental and descriptive are said to be the
three different types of research this design that can be taken into consideration and in present
research descriptive investigating design has been utilised because it sets with quantitative
investigation.
Research philosophy- In present context, there are specifically two types of philosophies of
research that can be utilised and these are interpretivism along with positivism. In order to
conduct present investigation the philosophy that has been chosen that is interpretivism (Gaudet,
Dorion and Flaminio, 2020). As it aid in focusing upon various aspects of the research outcome
while conducting the research.
Type of investigation: -Qualitative and quantitative are the two crucial investigating
methods that can be utilised by researchers. While performing this investigation quantitative
mean of investigation has been utilised and the focus of investigative will be on different figures
along with the numerical aspects and including the different statistical information as well on the
chosen topic. The overall gathered information would be analysed in the form of thematic
analysis as it is supportive in describes each and every question with the usage of theme for each
and every question. As a result, it supports in obtaining valid outcome towards the research
problem.
Research approach: Over the years, investigators are utilising the two crucial approaches of
of research and these are deductive and inductive. In present investigation, researcher will be
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utilising deductive approach as it is directly e connecting with the quantitative investigating
research and may help in pulling out different numerical figures, facts and statistical data about
the chosen topic.
Research strategy- When it comes to conduct crucial investigation then there are a number
of strategies of investigation that can be in present investigation, questionnaire has been utilised
as a research strategy to accumulate appropriate information in relation to the chosen topic and to
bring out effective outcomes at the correct time as well (Pop, Rus and Drenta, 2020). A well
prepared questionnaire is presented underneath:
Questionnaire
Q 1) Are you aware with the concept of workplace discrimination?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) Do you think workplace discrimination impacts growth rate of the company?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 3) Do you think, workplace discrimination affects morale of employees?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 4) As per your opinion, what are different ways through which workplace discrimination can
be identified within TESCO?
a) By taking feedback from employees
b) Regular based inspection at workplace
c) Providing liberty to employees to express things
Q 5) According to your view point, what are the main advantages that TESCO can attain by
incorporating equality and diversity practices at workplace?
a) Good image at marketplace
b) Reduction in employee turnover
c) Quick achievement of predetermined goals and objectives
Q 6) Does effective implementation of equality and diversity practices helps TESCO in gaining
competitive edge?
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a) Yes
b) No
Q 7) What are main consequences that TESCO might face due to workplace discrimination?
a) Increase in employee turnover
b) Enhancement in conflicts at workplace
c) Reduction in productivity and proficiency of employees
Q 8) According to your perception, what are the several ways that could support TESCO in
implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Providing equal opportunity
b) Inclusion training
c) Assigning team work
Q 9) Do you think, incorporation of equality and diversity practices helps TESCO in reducing
workplace discrimination?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 10) According to you, how equality and diversity practices addresses workplace
discrimination within TESCO?
a) By providing equal chance to workforce
b) Promoting employees according to their performance
c) Taking feedback from employees
Q 11) Does employees feedback provides support to management of TESCO is determining
workplace discrimination and taking strict action towards it?
a) Yes
b) No
Data collection- Particularly there are two different type of data collecting tool that can
be utilised by investigators and these are secondary along with primary investigating and data
collection tools. Secondary information is one which support in gathering the data which is as of
now accessible over the present region of study which can be utilized to for creating fundamental
comprehension over subject (Sengupta, 2020). On the other hand, if it is talked about primary
investigation then this is considered to be the original data which is being formulated by
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researcher. In order to pull out right information in the literature review, researcher has utilised
secondary data collecting tool and on the other hand in order to conduct the data analysis section
a researcher has taken into consideration of questionnaire which is considered to be a part of
primary method of data collection tool.
Sampling- there are number of sampling methods that are available in the research
market but in order to conduct this investigation random sampling method which is a part of non
probabilistic investigation is being taken into consideration so that appropriate amount of
information can easily be brought from the chosen respondents (Dion and et. al., 2020). In
present context, it is going to be considered as the sample size of 40 where the accumulation of
the data will be done from these respondents only.
Reliability and validity of study- For keeping up the legitimacy and unwavering quality
inside a research the essential data is accumulated utilizing survey. This is so on the grounds that
it help in guaranteeing that the most dependable just as validated information can be assembled
straightforwardly with the help of respondents which further assistance in keeping up the
legitimacy of data as immediate data is gathered inside any kind of adjustment from the
individuals who have thought in regards to this regions of study (Lee, Dobiyanski and Sviland,
2020).
Cost, access and ethical issue- Anatomy, confidentiality, access two different variables
and the different resources along with the cost of overall investigation are said to be some crucial
aspects that are required by a researcher to consider so that no issues would take place or no
unethical activities might take place (Kumar, Kumar and Agrawal, 2020). in present contacts,
researcher has considered all the aspects of the research and easily maybe come able to deliver
right information to tu uh readers and along with the individuals who are linked with the
investigation.
Timeline-
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