Sainsbury's: Removing Glass Ceiling and Workplace Issues

This research project investigates the impact of the glass ceiling on workplace discrimination, focusing on Sainsbury's. The study explores the concept of the glass ceiling, its implications for employee relations, and the issues that arise from workplace discrimination, such as reduced morale, decreased productivity, and potential employee turnover. The methodology involves a survey strategy with a quantitative research approach, using questionnaires administered to 30 Sainsbury's employees. The analysis of the collected data reveals insights into employee awareness of the glass ceiling, the most severe issues stemming from discrimination, and the perceived relationship between removing the glass ceiling and minimizing workplace discrimination. The findings indicate that removing the glass ceiling can lead to increased employee engagement, improved organizational performance, and greater diversity and inclusion. The report concludes with recommendations for Sainsbury's to address workplace discrimination and promote equality, aiming to create a more inclusive and productive work environment.

Dealing with glass
ceiling

Table of Contents
Research topic: Role of removing glass ceiling in reducing workplace discrimination. A study of
Sainsbury..........................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Background for research project............................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................1
Research aim and objectives..................................................................................................1
Research questions.................................................................................................................1
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................2
Chapter 3: Research methodology...................................................................................................3
Chapter4: Analysis and interpretation of research findings.............................................................6
4.1) Analysis of collected data...............................................................................................6
4.2) Interpretation of research findings..................................................................................8
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation................................................................................13
5.1) Conclusion.....................................................................................................................13
5.2) Recommendation...........................................................................................................13
Chapter 6: Reflection.....................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

Research topic: Role of removing glass ceiling in reducing workplace
discrimination. A study of Sainsbury.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Background for research project
Glass ceiling is a concept which reflects the barrier in advancement in profession faced by
minorities and women working within an organisation (Barak, 2016). Thus, Glass ceiling is
playing a vital role in enhancing workplace discrimination that is creating many issues and
challenges for an organisation. Therefore, current investigation is lead out on Sainsbury to
evaluate the role of removing glass ceiling in reducing workplace discrimination.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rationale as it facilitates better awareness and
understanding about the concept of glass ceiling that leads and create many issues and challenges
for an orgnisation. Current research ensures better information regarding workplace
discrimination as ways to overcome and reduce this discrimination thus, viable from professional
view point of researcher. Beside this, better managerial skills and enhanced competencies are
also ensured by current research project to meet the personal and academic implication of
investigator.
Research aim and objectives
Research aim
“To investigate the role of removing the glass ceiling in reducing workplace
discrimination”. A study of Sainsbury.
Research objectives
 To explore the concept of the glass ceiling within the workplace.
 To determine several issues that may arise within Sainsbury due to workplace
discrimination.
 To ascertain the relation between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of
workplace discrimination within Sainsbury.
Research questions
 What is meant by the concept of the glass ceiling within the workplace?
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 What are the possible issues faced by an organisation due to workplace discrimination?
 Is there any relation between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of workplace
discrimination within Sainsbury?
Chapter 2: Literature review
Glass ceiling within the workplace
According to Glass and Cook, (2016), Glass ceiling within the workplace could be defined
as the discrimination among the male and female employees of the organisation. It states that it is
a type of barrier that prohibits female staff members from advancing toward the top of the
management position of the enterprise. In most of the organisations, women are dealing with this
problem as they are considered as weak human beings and the management team does not
provide them specific roles and responsibilities. Due to this, all the females staff members are
prevented from getting promotions. Apart from this, the level of discriminated on the basis of
executive ranking within the corporate world.
The main cause of this is the negative mind set of senior authorities of the companies
towards women and minorities (Glass Ceiling, 2019). It results in discrimination among the
employees and affect the pay scale of them as it creates barriers to high paying careers,
leadership position at workplace, freedom from discrimination, promotion, equal pay etc.
Issues that may arise within Sainsbury due to workplace discrimination
In the views of Zhang, (2018), When there will be workplace discrimination in Sainsbury
then it may result in different types of issues for the organisation. These are unproductive staff
members, lack of engagement of employees, decreased work quality, increased staff turnover,
lower profits etc. When the female staff or minority within the enterprise will e discriminated
then it will result in lower interest of them in the work which will be assigned to them. As they
will not be rewarded for their good work and appraised for the same so they decided to work
unproductively. When there will be workplace discrimination among the employees of then it
will also result in employee turnover as they will look for an entity where they will be treated
equally as other staff members (Bowl, 2018).
Relationship between removing glass ceiling and minimisation of workplace discrimination
within Sainsbury
According to Creighton, (2017), Glass ceiling is highly focused with workplace
discrimination because when the entities will pay attention towards it then it will create barriers
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for female staff as well as minorities to get promotion and work on a senior manager profile. If it
will be removed then it may result in lower level of workplace discrimination. The removal of
glass ceiling and minimisation of workplace discrimination are interlinked with each other. The
main factor which may reflect the interrelationship of them are the increased employee
engagement. When there will be no glass ceiling within Sainsbury then it will result in high
productiveness of all the employees and they will work harder for getting promotion and rewards
for their work. It shows that when glass ceiling will be removed then all the employees will be
treated equally and same opportunities will be provided to them (Enoksen, 2016). It will also
result in higher profits of the organisation. When there will be no discrimination among the
employees then it will help Sainsbury to meet all its long-term objectives such as higher profits.
Chapter 3: Research methodology
This forms a vital part of research which provides information about the types of research
methods and approach used for leading out an investigation. For current investigation
implication of research onion is made to select suitable research method along with valid
justification.
Research philosophy- It is basically of four types which forms first layer of research
onion and consists of Posistivitism, Realism, interpretivism and pragmatism philosophy. Out of
these adoption of positivism philosophy is made on the basis of nature of current study in order
to support quantitative data (Glass and Cook, 2016).
Research approach- It is being the second layer of research onion which is mainly
divided into two parts i.e. inductive and deductive. With respect to current investigation use of
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deductive approach is more suitable and justifiable to have more effective scanning and analysis
of data collected in numeric and quantitative terms.
Research strategy- The most common forms of research strategy comprises of action
research, experimental research, interviews, surveys, case study, observation, etc which leads a
framework for whole investigation (Greene, 2019). In accordance with current investigation on
Sainsbury adoption of survey strategy is made as it seems more justifiable and appropriate to
collect data from larger number of respondents in an easy way and in relatively short period of
time through use of questionnaire.
Choices of method- There are three commonly used research method which determine
the type of investigation and comprises of qualitative, quantitative and mixed nature of
investigation. For current study on Sainsbury adoption of quantitative research method is made
as it lead to collection of data in numeric form that is easy to analysis and interpret through
making use of charts, graphs and table and also ensures more measurable results (Thompson,
2016).
Time horizons- It is bifurcated into cross-sectional and longitudinal time frames out of
which implication of cross sectional time horizons is made to reflect task and activity of current
research at single point of time through making use of following Gantt chart:
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Data collection and analysis- Data has been collected from both the sources i.e. primary
as well as secondary sources of data as primary sources leads to first hand and authentic form of
data where as secondary data ensures valid support and justification for research findings
through making use of past facts and records (Zhang, 2018).
Sampling- A sample size of 30 participants from the employees of Sainsbury is sleeted
by the researcher through making use of random sampling method. Use of following
questionnaire is made to collect primary data from these 30 selected respondents for current
study:
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you having any idea and awareness about the concept of the glass ceiling within the
workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q2) Which one is the most severe issue that may arise within Sainsbury due to workplace
discrimination?
a) Enhanced chances of workplace conflicts
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b) Workplace harassment
c) Reduction in morale and performance of employees
d) Enhanced stress and depression
Q3) What kind of relation exists between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of
workplace discrimination within Sainsbury?
a) Direct
b) Indirect
c) No Relation
Q4) What are the main advantages associated with creation of equality and diversity at
workplace?
a) Enhanced creativity of workforce
b) Boost morale of employees
c) Better brand Image
Q5) What are the possible steps that can be taken by Sainsbury to reduce the glass ceiling
in order to minimize workplace discrimination?
a) Fair recruitment and promotion on the basis of talent
b) Promotion of gender neutral networking
c) Implication of participative leadership style (elimination of biasness)
Q6) Are you agreed with the fact that a positive role is lead by removing glass ceiling in
order to reduce workplace discrimination and promote equality at Sainsbury?
a) Agreed
b) Disagreed
c) Neutral
Q7) Any further recommendations for Sainsbury to overcome the challenge of workplace
discrimination?
Chapter4: Analysis and interpretation of research findings
4.1) Analysis of collected data
Q1) Do you having any idea and awareness about the concept of the
glass ceiling within the workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
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b) No 2
c) Neutral 3
Q2) Which one is the most severe issue that may arise within
Sainsbury due to workplace discrimination?
Frequency
a) Enhanced chances of workplace conflicts 8
b) Workplace harassment 7
c) Reduction in morale and performance of employees 9
d) Enhanced stress and depression 6
Q3) What kind of relation exists between removing the glass ceiling
and minimization of workplace discrimination within Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Direct 20
b) Indirect 8
c) No Relation 2
Q4) What are the main advantages associated with creation of
equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Enhanced creativity of workforce 12
b) Boost morale of employees 10
c) Better brand Image 8
Q5) What are the possible steps that can be taken by Sainsbury to
reduce the glass ceiling in order to minimize workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
a) Fair recruitment and promotion on the basis of talent 11
b) Promotion of gender neutral networking 9
c) Implication of participative leadership style (elimination of biasness) 10
Q6) Are you agreed with the fact that a positive role is lead by
removing glass ceiling in order to reduce workplace discrimination
and promote equality at Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Agreed 27
b) Disagreed 1
c) Neutral 2
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4.2) Interpretation of research findings
Theme 1: Concept of the glass ceiling within the workplace
Q1) Do you having any idea and awareness about the concept of the
glass ceiling within the workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 2
c) Neutral 3
Interpretation
On the basis of current investigation it has been interpreted that 25 participants out of a
total of 30 were having idea and awareness about the concept of the glass ceiling within the
workplace where as 2 were unaware of this concept along with 3 other respondents who seemed
neutral on this concept.
Theme 2: Issues due to workplace discrimination
Q2) Which one is the most severe issue that may arise within
Sainsbury due to workplace discrimination?
Frequency
a) Enhanced chances of workplace conflicts 8
b) Workplace harassment 7
c) Reduction in morale and performance of employees 9
d) Enhanced stress and depression 6
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Interpretation
It has been evaluated that many issues are faced by an orgnisation due to workplace
discrimination which comprises of Enhanced chances of workplace conflicts as supported by 8
participants where as 7 had favoured workplace harassment. Beside this, 9 participants were
having a thinking that Reduction in morale and performance of employees is the most severe
issue that may arise within Sainsbury due to workplace discrimination where as 6 participates
were seemed in support of Enhanced stress and depression.
Theme 3: Relation between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of workplace
discrimination
Q3) What kind of relation exists between removing the glass ceiling
and minimization of workplace discrimination within Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Direct 20
b) Indirect 8
c) No Relation 2
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Interpretation
It has been observed during current investigation that 20 respondents believed that a
direct relation exists between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of workplace
discrimination within Sainsbury where as 8 seemed in support of indirect relationship. Along
with this, 2 participants were also there who were having an opinion that no relation exists
between removing the glass ceiling and minimization of workplace discrimination.
Theme 4: Main advantages of creation of equality and diversity
Q4) What are the main advantages associated with creation of
equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Enhanced creativity of workforce 12
b) Boost morale of employees 10
c) Better brand Image 8
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