Research Project: Equality and Diversity in the Workplace at M&S

This research project investigates workplace discrimination, focusing on the British multinational retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S). The study explores the significance of implementing equality and diversity practices to eliminate discrimination in the workplace. The report includes an introduction outlining the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by a literature review examining the meaning and importance of workplace discrimination, various equality and diversity practices, and the benefits of reducing discrimination for M&S. The methodology section details the quantitative research approach, positivism philosophy, and deductive approach used for data collection through questionnaires. The data analysis and interpretations section presents the findings, including frequency tables and analysis of the questionnaire responses. The report concludes with recommendations for M&S and a reflection on alternative research methodologies. The research aims to contribute to a better understanding of workplace discrimination and promote equality and diversity in the business environment, aiming to reduce employee turnover and foster a positive work environment.

Research Project (Equality and
Diversity in the workplace)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research aim...............................................................................................................................1
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................1
Research questions......................................................................................................................1
Rationale of the research.............................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Meaning and importance of workplace discrimination...............................................................2
Different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce discrimination from the
workplace....................................................................................................................................2
Benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace discrimination by implementing
equality and diversity practices...................................................................................................2
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION...........................................................................2
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS...........................................................................3
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................................................................16
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................16
REFLECTION AND ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

Title: Workplace discrimination
INTRODUCTION
As per current scenario, workplace discrimination is consider as a major issue that faced
by majority of organisation. In this, discrimination in the working environment is based on
different prejudices and also occurs when an employee is treated biased and unfavourably due to
race, gender, religion, disability and many more (Ali and Konrad, 2017). This may negatively
affect employee performance as at the same time it also may create issues and conflicts among
employees at working area. Thus, it is significant for director of company to assure that each and
every workers treated fairly so that the can perform well and also tries to develop positive or
healthy relation with others. Current research is based on Marks and Spencer, is British
multinational retailer that operate their business in around the globe for create huge returns.
Company also focus on eliminating issue of workplace discriminate by implementing equality
and diversity practices at working area.
Research aim
“To investigate the importance of executing equality as well as diversity practices within
the workplace in order to eliminate discrimination”. A study on (M&S) Marks and Spencer
Research objectives
 To understand the concept and importance of workplace discrimination
 To examine different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce
discrimination from the workplace.
 To assess various benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace
discrimination by implementing equality and diversity practices.
Research questions
 What is the meaning and importance of workplace discrimination?
 What are the different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce
discrimination from the workplace?
 What are the various benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace
discrimination by implementing equality and diversity practices?
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Rationale of the research
The main purpose of carry out current investigation is to explore the significance of
executing equality and diversity practices within the workplace in order to eliminate
discrimination. This topic provide vast information to investigator that contributes in improving
the chances of accomplish optimistic results. In addition to this, it also help investigator in
increasing skills and knowledge in specified area (Bernstein And et. al., 2019). It may also
support them in their career growth and make them able to investigate further research to
analysis the aspects of workplace discrimination. In addition to this, it is also beneficial for
business organisation in promoting equality and diversity at workplace so that company can
attain competitive success by reducing its employee turnover.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Meaning and importance of workplace discrimination
According to Triana and et. al., (2019), workplace destination means taking adverse
decision against unemployed in an organisation on the basis of the membership in various
groups. In an organisation there are a number of instances where it can be seen that individuals
are discriminated on the basis of various grounds which include religion, sex, caste, national
origin or their physical disability. It is often seen that individuals are discriminated intentionally
on various stereotypes basis for personal project is of some people. For example it can be taken if
a woman in an organisation is requesting to work on production line there rejected on the basis
of assumption that woman do not understand machineries well. It is necessary for an
organisation to take various actions such as hiring people on the basis of only job related
consideration, equal pay for both the genders at work, giving promotion opportunities to all the
employees which is fully based on their performance and not on any other factor.
Different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce discrimination from the
workplace
According to Jeong (2017), it is necessary for employers as well as management to make
sure that they are taking certain steps which might reduce discrimination in the workplace. Some
of the steps can be documenting and treating all the employs same. It is often seen that
organisations do not keep their records up to date due to which problem arises later on. The
documentation and organisations should be fear and consistent which will help in treating all the
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employs same. The company policies which are developed by organisation should have strict
policy against harassment of employs. The definition of harassment and sexual harassment in
these policies should also be clear in order to make sure that employees are aware about their
rights. It is also necessary for management to make sure that when they are hiring an employee
they are strictly sticking to all the job requirements rather than any other reason. Be sure while
selecting employees for the organisation that all their skills and experiences are matching the
vacancy in the organisation. In this way organisations can avoid any discrimination lawsuit
against them. When someone files lawsuit against them for not hearing them with the believe of
discrimination of prejudice it can have a negative impact on goodwill of organisation as well.
Benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace discrimination by implementing
equality and diversity practices
According to Koburtay, Syed and Haloub (2020), when an organisation is effectively using
equality and diversity in the workforce it helps them to add new skills to their team. People with
which are coming from different backgrounds can bring their new experiences and a talent and
skill in an organisation effectively to improve company’s performance. Diversity in organisation
also helps in bringing in new innovations in the organisation successfully. When an organisation
is supportive and diversity is used effectively in the organisation innovation in organisation is
increased and it also creates more business output for the organisation. When a business is using
equality and diversity in their management they can easily open their activities in new markets.
Introducing new people with a different cultural, social and geographical background helps in
attaining new knowledge about potential markets throughout globe which is effective for
businesses.
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION
Types of investigation: It is significant for investigator to chose an appropriate one for
executing investigation aspects because it can be helpful in achieving authentic and valid results
in an investigation. It can be categorized as per of two types including qualitative and
quantitative research. In order to undertake current investigation, quantitative research will be
applied because it help in gathering collection of information that is measurable in quality and
also give authentic results.
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Research philosophy: It is related with the content of phenomena where in data needs to
be collected, analysed and interpretation. Under this, it is crucial responsibility of investigator
for selecting a suitable techniques so that data can be easily analysed (Mizock and et. al., 2017).
Mainly, it is determined in two philosophies such as positivism and interpretivism. As per
present study, investigator will apply positivism research philosophy because researcher gained
knowledge through observation which is measurable in nature trustworthy as well.
Research approach: In executing as well as undertaking an investigation approach is
refers to the plan and procedure that includes different steps of data collection, analysis and
interpretation. It may support researcher in improving the possibilities of attaining reliable and
authentic data (Sue And et. al., 2019). It includes two type of research approach such inductive
and deductive. In this research, deductive research approach has been included as it is refers to
the procedure of moving from premises to conclusion that is based on the fact and truth values.
As it provide logical results in which researcher use observation to confirm the truth value and
also get a valid conclusion within the investigation.
Data collection: It is considered as an effectual procedure to assembling data from
various sources with the aim of addressing the specified issues present in the research. Thus, it is
crucial for researcher to select appropriate method for collecting information so that overall
activities of investigation can be easily undertaken. Mainly, it is divided into two method of data
collection such as primary and secondary sources. Both methods are effective in this
investigation to draw a meaningful judgement and reduce the chances of rise any issues. Along
with this, primary method of data collection used to gather first-hand information in which
researcher prepare a structured questionnaire filled from chosen participants. Apart from this,
secondary method assist in providing detailed analysis as per specified research topic. In this, a
systematic literature review is undertaken that includes viewpoints of different authors. It may
support in attaining reliable results within the study.
Sampling: At the time of carry out an investigation,choosing appropriate sample size is
crucial because it support researcher in acquiring accurate and authentic data about the research
topic. In this regards, it is consider as an important process of selecting sample size from the
larger population with the aim of taking right judgement. It is categorised as per two techniques
such as probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling (Manoharan and Singal, 2017). Under this
research, probabilistic sampling will be implement by researcher in which respondents are
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chosen as per random basis also got equal chances to be selected for sharing their view points
with researcher. By using this, 40 participants are selected who are the employee of business
organisation.
Cost- It is one of the most important consideration in an investigation. There is a need to an
investigator to arrange the money so that all activities can be attained effectively. To make the
whole study effective than it is necessary to keeping the sufficient money for completion of
research activities. An investigator requires to cover all necessary expensed which are included
in an investigation. To manage the funds, an investigator focusses on developing the money
management plan. The cost to conducting research project is £1000.
Particular Costs (£)
Implementing technology cost 150
Promotional expense 60
Internet charges 500
Stationary charges 90
Training charges 200
Total cost 1000
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DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you aware about the issue of workplace discrimination?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to you, does workplace discrimination impact over the employee
performance at working area?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) In what manner workplace discrimination arise at working area of Marks and
Spencer?
a) On the basis of age
b) On the basis of gender
c) On the basis of race
Q4) As per your point of view, promoting equality is necessary for eliminating issue of
workplace discrimination within the company?
a) Yes
b) No
Q5) What is the impact of workplace discrimination over the employee performance?
a) Lack of employee involvement
b) Increase conflicts among workers
c) Reduce employee productivity
Q6) What are the different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce
discrimination from the workplace?
a) Effective training and development session
b) Giving equal job and growth opportunities
c) Encourage workers to take participate
Q7) What are the different ways to promote equality and End workplace discrimination
at working area of Marks and Spencer?
a) Identify and prevent unconscious bias
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b) Put equality policies in place
c) Be proactive
Q8) What kind of benefits achieve by M&S with the assistance of reducing workplace
discrimination by implementing equality and diversity practices?
a) Reduce employee turnover
b) Develop positive relation
c) Boost employee morale
Q9) Does eliminating workplace discrimination help Marks and Spencer in retaining
talent for longer period of time?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Suggest the alternative ways that can be applied by Marks and Spencer in order to
reduce workplace discrimination and promote equality.
Frequency Table
Q1) Are you aware about the issue of workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q2) According to you, does workplace discrimination impact over the
employee performance at working area?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Q3) In what manner workplace discrimination arise at working area of
Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a) On the basis of age 15
b) On the basis of gender 15
c) On the basis of race 10
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Q4) As per your point of view, promoting equality is necessary for
eliminating issue of workplace discrimination within the company?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Q5) What is the impact of workplace discrimination over the employee
performance?
Frequency
a) Lack of employee involvement 15
b) Increase conflicts among workers 15
c) Reduce employee productivity 10
Q6) What are the different practices related to equality & diversity in
order to reduce discrimination from the workplace?
Frequency
a) Effective training and development session 20
b) Giving equal job and growth opportunities 10
c) Encourage workers to take participate 10
Q7) What are the different ways to promote equality and End
workplace discrimination at working area of Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a) Identify and prevent unconscious bias 15
b) Put equality policies in place 10
c) Be proactive 15
Q8) What kind of benefits achieve by M&S with the assistance of
reducing workplace discrimination by implementing equality and
diversity practices?
Frequency
a) Reduce employee turnover 15
b) Develop positive relation 15
c) Boost employee morale 10
Q9) Does eliminating workplace discrimination help Marks and Frequency
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Spencer in retaining talent for longer period of time?
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Theme 1: Awareness about the issue of workplace discrimination.
Q1) Are you aware about the issue of workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Interpretation: In a dynamic business environment, workplace discrimination is consider as a
major concern for mostly companies as it also affect the employee performance. In this type of
issues, employees discriminated as per different basis that may increase the negative working
environment. In relation to this, 30 out of 40 respondents think that they have enough awareness
about the issue of workplace discrimination and how it affect the organisational activities. On the
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30
10
a) Yes
b) No