Impact of Workplace Discrimination: A Business Research Plan

This business research plan investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on employee performance, focusing on Sainsbury's as a case study. The research aims to understand the concept of workplace discrimination, assess its effects on employee performance, and identify strategies for management to mitigate its negative consequences. The report includes a literature review exploring the concept of workplace discrimination, its various forms (gender, age, religion, etc.), and its impact on employee well-being and productivity. The methodology section outlines the research philosophy (interpretivism), approach (inductive), and strategy, detailing data collection methods using both primary and secondary sources. The report discusses the importance of treating employees with respect, addressing complaints, developing anti-discrimination policies, providing training, monitoring the workplace, and fostering a supportive environment. The conclusion summarizes key findings and provides recommendations for Sainsbury's management to improve employee relations and enhance overall performance. This plan is designed to help students understand the complexities of workplace discrimination and its impact on organizational success.

Business research
plan

Contents
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................3
Research Aim and objectives..................................................................................................3
Research aim:...............................................................................................................................3
Objectives of the research:...........................................................................................................3
Research Questions:.....................................................................................................................3
Rational of the research................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE RIVIEW.........................................................................................................4
Concept of workplace discrimination............................................................................................4
Impact of workplace discrimination on the performance of employees.......................................5
Strategies which need to be adopted by the management of companies to reduce the negative
impact of workplace discrimination..............................................................................................6
Research methodology.............................................................................................................6
Research Philosophy.....................................................................................................................6
Research Approach.......................................................................................................................7
Research Strategy.........................................................................................................................7
Data Collection:............................................................................................................................7
Research Methodology.................................................................................................................8
Sampling.......................................................................................................................................8
Recommendations:.....................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................21
Business research plan...........................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
Workplace discrimination also known as employment discrimination which is mainly
arise on the basis of gender, age, religion, background, physical as well as mental ability of
the individuals working within the organization. This as a result affect the whole performance
and efficiency of staff members in a negative manner which leads towards the reduction of
profit margin of the company. In the present report, Sainsbury is chosen as the base
organization which is a second largest supermarket chain at the marketplace of United
Kingdom. It is the company introduced in the year 1869 by John James Sainsbury and its
headquarter is located in Holborn, London, United Kingdom. In this report, researcher
develop aim and objectives so that the whole investigation will be conducted in an effective
manner. In addition to this, it has also been said that literature review section is going to be
discussed so that researchers can gather appropriate information about a specific topic.
Furthermore, research methodology and Gantt chart are also included in this report where
suitable method will be identified by the investigator for gathering data and information. At
the end, appropriate recommendations will be given to the management team of the company
for improving their functions.
Research Aim and objectives
Research aim:
Aim of the current research is “to examine the impact of workplace discrimination on the
performance of employees.” A case study of Sainsbury.
Objectives of the research:
 To understand the concept of discrimination arise at workplace.
 To examine the impact of workplace discrimination on the performance of employee
working within Sainsbury.
 To determine the strategies which need to be adopted by the management team of
Sainsbury to reduce the negative impact of workplace discrimination.
Research Questions:
 What do you know about the concept of discrimination arise at workplace?
 What are the impacts of workplace discrimination on the performance of employee
working within Sainsbury.
 What are the strategies which need to be adopted by the management team of
Sainsbury to reduce the negative impact of workplace discrimination.

Rational of the research
The current investigation is based on the topic of “to examine the impact of workplace
discrimination on the performance of employees.” It has been analysed that workplace
discrimination is one of the major problem which affect the whole performance of employees
in a negative manner. Discrimination can be done on the basis of color, workplace and it
makes the discrimination among the male and female employees. At workplace, both male as
well as females treated by the management team in different ways which highly affects the
overall performance of the staff members in an adverse manner. In order to conduct the
research, there are both personal as well as professional reasons for conducting the
investigation. If talking about investigators personal reason behind opting the research topic
is to increase the knowledge as well as understanding. Whereas, professional reason behind
conducting the investigation is to gain an in depth knowledge about the reason and impact
about workplace discrimination. With the help of this investigation, management team will be
able to perform all their functions in an effective manner by considering the issues and
problems in an effective manner.
LITERATURE RIVIEW
Concept of workplace discrimination
According to Rachael Down (2020) Discrimination at the workplace is constructed on
unquestionable preconception and take place when a staff member is treated unfriendly or
inimical as of sexuality, religion, disability and gender etc. If company treated their
employees differently on the basis of their religion and gender this is unethical issue. Direct
workplace discrimination is occurred when one employee treated less favorable than other
employees. workplace discrimination also involves issues like recruiting, firing, promotion
and benefits attainability. There are various laws in order secure and protect employees from
workplace discrimination. Discrimination on the bases of gender, many employees face
sexual discrimination at workplace this is like manager treat some male employees specially
and in proper manner but not treating female employees equally as male employees this
discrimination based on gender or sex. Discrimination on the bases of qualification of
employees, if employees working on same job position but their educational qualification is
different from each other at this point also some companies discriminate or treat their
employees unequally. Discrimination on the bases staff members age, some companies set

the age limit for employees they refuse to appoint candidates over the certain age. Racial
discrimination, this discrimination occurs when manager treat their employees differently and
unfavorable on the bases of workforce race like hair color and skin color. Discrimination on
the bases of religion, in an organization various employee working and every employee
belongs to different religion. All employee has different ethical & moral belief, sometimes
mangers assign higher position to employee because he/she doesn’t want to come into contact
with customers because of his/her religion annexation. Workplace discrimination increase
day by day because many companies pay unequally to employees without any reason.
Discrimination on the bases of origin or language, this discrimination take place when
individuals are not appointed because of their nation of origin and language that individual
speak. Sometimes pregnancy also become the point of discrimination, before appointing
female applicant many business organizations asked if they planned to start a family soon.
Discrimination on the bases of staff members physical and mental disability, companies want
to appoint talented and able employees and because of this they treat disable employees
unfavorable and differently in various organization managers think disable employees are not
able to perform well for an organization and this leads to discrimination.
Impact of workplace discrimination on the performance of employees
As per the point of view of Goodluck Chimezie Uncle Elei (2015) Major part of the
employees life is spend in workplace or in the organization/company where they work but
when workplace discrimination occur it can affect the employees life in many different ways
like the major impact can be the mental stress and losing their good physical health according
to National Institute for Health (NIH) workplace discrimination has the negative impact on
employees and physiological disease the results of these discrimination led to the worst effect
on workforce whereby as a suicide and volunteer termination which impact productivity of
organization in many large company discrimination has been done on the gender, age, race,
religion, salary distribution and education qualification the employees who face the
discrimination at workplace might also have problem in interacting with their co-worker it
because hard for them to take participation in the organization planning or in decision making
process. Victim of workplace discrimination often deal with emotional issues fighting against
the discrimination in the workplace is major goal of many staff members .Several times this
small discrimination impact a great effect on a employ performance and employees have to
take a legal action in regards of the discrimination where the company have to pay a big
amount under the legal action taken by employees which spoil the relationship between

higher authority and staff members after that they are not much comfortable to work together
at a Same place and the results of that the organization have to bear a heavy loss . Workplace
discrimination is directly link with the health of staff members like more overt aggression on
their family members because of the mental stress but some employees have a good potential
to handle this discrimination and they take this in a positive manner and made them capable
of doing much better and get the benefits in the organization. Sainsbury’s managers or higher
authorities treat their employees well and they properly observe employees or maintain some
strategies to decrease the impact of workplace diversity.
Strategies which need to be adopted by the management of companies to reduce the
negative impact of workplace discrimination.
According to HA Patrick (2012) companies need to maintain some strategies in sequence to
reduce or decrease the discrimination in the workplace. Treat employees with respect, every
organization have to treat their staff members or workforce equally and give them respect. If
employees are satisfied and not feel any kind of discrimination this increase the productivity
of the organization. Look over the complaints of employees, high authorities have to listen
problems or issues faced by workforce within the organization related to discrimination &
harassment and develop strategies in order to reduce the discrimination at workplace.
Companies also need to develop anti-harassment & anti-discrimination strategy or policy to
reduce discrimination. Companies can also create or develop media strategy, if employees
face any kind of discrimination then they can report online this easy and very effective way.
Train employees, managers and supervisors, companies need to conduct training at least once
in the year and training should contain topic related to harassment and discrimination at
workplace this strategy also help in reducing discrimination at workplace. Time to time
monitor or observe employees at workplace, supervisors should monitor or observe staff
members or workers and also openly communicate with them listen their problems and try to
solve those issues as quickly as they can. To reduce biasness and discrimination company
should be transparent and also support an encourage women. Providing comfortable and
flexible working environment to each and every employee working within the organization.
Higher authorities also involve employees in the decision making process of the organization
this give job satisfaction to employees and reduce discrimination.

Research methodology
Research Philosophy
It define as the set of different types of beliefs which is required to be adopted by the
researcher in order to conduct the whole investigation in an effective way. There are
generally two main kind of philosophy which is interpretivism as well as deductive
philosophy. In reference to the current investigation, it has been said that researcher adopt
interpretivism philosophy so that they can effectively gather all the data and information in
an appropriate manner with the help of various sources such as interview, observation,
survey and many more. It is also been analysed that this is a realistic approach help in
drawing valid outcome.
Research Approach
Here are mainly two kinds of research approaches which consist of inductive and
deductive approach. All these approaches are going to be discussed as follows in a detail
manner.
Inductive approach: It refers to a process which assists a researcher in order to gain in
depth knowledge on a specific topic. Furthermore, it helps in enhancing skills and knowledge
of investigators about a particular topic.
Deductive approach: It is an approach which is mainly based on past experience or
investigation conducted by different researchers. It refers to an approach which is less
structured.
In the present investigation, it has been said that inductive approach is adopted by the
researcher so that they can gain insight about specific topic as well as conclude the positive
outcome.
Research Strategy
It defines as a set of plans which help investigator in order to complete the whole
research in an appropriate and efficient manner. It refers to a strategy which helps in
developing effective plans and procedure so that they can complete the whole research within
given time period.

Data Collection:
For gathering information, it has been said that researcher use primary as well as
secondary sources. In context of primary data method, it is said that fresh and raw data has
been collected related to a specific topic. Major sources of gathering primary data includes
interview, survey, questionnaire and many more. On the other hand, secondary method for
data collection refers to the method where researchers collect all the available information in
an effective manner. Some of the most essential sources consist of articles, newspaper,
journals, books and many more. In reference to the present investigation, it has been said that
researcher select both primary and secondary data collection method.
Research Methodology
It is said that there are two main types of research methodology which are qualitative as
well as quantitative research. In context of qualitative research, it has been said that
researcher gather all the data and information with the help of observation, survey, images
and so on. Whereas in case of quantitative research all the information are in the form of
statistics and numerical form. In this research, investigator adopt quantitative research
method so that all the required information will be gathered in an effective manner.
Sampling
In order to conduct a whole research in an effective manner, it is required to gather
information from large number of people and for which two main kind of sampling which are
probabilistic as well as non-probabilistic method of sampling. For conducting the present
research, non-probabilistic sampling are used where investigators choose random sampling
method. In the present research, questionnaire is going to be developed by the researcher in
which total number of respondents are 30.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Q1.) Do you know about the concept of workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10

Q2.) According to you, what is the impact of workplace discrimination on
the performance of Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Decline in profitability 10
b) High turnover rate 12
c) Negative impact on brand image 8
Q3.) As per your point of view, what is the best way to minimize
discrimination at workplace
Frequency
a) Equal opportunity to both male & female 10
b) Evaluate performance on a consistent basis 13
c) Assign work according to skills & capabilities 7
Q 4. On the basis of your perception, what is the impact of workplace
discrimination on performance of employees?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 5
b) Negative impact 20
c) Neutral impact 5
Q5.) According to you, executing equality and diversity practices at
workplace assist in raising performance of Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Agree 22
b) Disagree 8
Q6.) What is the major benefit attained by higher authorities of Sainsbury
by retaining staff members for long duration?
Frequency
a) Increase in market share 15
b) Rise in productivity 10
c) Increase in brand image or reputation 5

Q7.) Do you have knowledge about the importance of implementing equality
& diversity at workplace?
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
Q8) What are the major benefits gained by managers of Sainsbury while
adopting workplace discrimination strategies in the organisation?
a) Increase in efficiency 10
b) Enhancement in profitability 10
c) Long term sustainability at marketplace 10
Q9) Does issues of workplace discrimination influence the interest of
stakeholders associated with the company?
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
Q10) Provide suggestion or recommendations to the higher authorities of
Sainsbury to decline the influence of workplace discrimination?
Findings and Interpretation:
Q1.) Do you know about the concept of workplace discrimination? Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
Interpretation: From the above graph, it is determine that out of total 30 participants, 20
respondents have the knowledge about the concept of workplace discrimination, whereas 10
participants have no ideal about what workplace discrimination is.
Q2.) According to you, what is the impact of workplace discrimination on
the performance of Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Decline in profitability 10
b) High turnover rate 12
c) Negative impact on brand image 8

a) Decline in profitability b) High turnover rate c) Negative impact on brand
image
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
10
12
8
Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is sated that there is influence of workplace
discrimination on the performance of company. Out of total 30 respondents, 10 participants
think that there is decline in profitability and 12 respondents said that the turnover rate of
company is high due to workplace discrimination. The remaining 8 participants perceive that
there is negative impact on brand image of the organization.
Q3.) As per your point of view, what is the best way to minimize
discrimination at workplace
Frequency
a) Equal opportunity to both male & female 10
b) Evaluate performance on a consistent basis 13
c) Assign work according to skills & capabilities 7

a) Equal opportunity to both
male & female b) Evaluate performance on
a consistent basis c) Assign work according to
skills & capabilities
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
10
13
7
Interpretation: The above graph stated that out of 30 participants, the 10 respondents think
that the best strategy to minimize discrimination is giving equal opportunity to both men and
women at workplace. In addition to this, 13 participants said that evaluation of performance
is the best strategy whereas 7 respondents think that allotting work as per skills and
capabilities is best strategy to minimize workplace discrimination.
Q 4. On the basis of your perception, what is the impact of workplace
discrimination on performance of employees?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 5
b) Negative impact 20
c) Neutral impact 5

a) Positive impact b) Negative impact c) Neutral impact
0
5
10
15
20
25
5
20
5
Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is stated that 5 participants said that there is
positive impact of workplace discrimination on performance of employees whereas 20
respondents think that there is negative impact on employees performance which leads to
decline in profitability of the company. The remaining 5 respondents think that is no impact
of workplace discrimination on the performance of staff members.
Q5.) According to you, executing equality and diversity practices at
workplace assist in raising performance of Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Agree 22
b) Disagree 8

a) Agree b) Disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
8
Interpretation: From the above graph, it is sated that out of 30 participants, 22 is agree with
the point that implementing equality and diversity practices help company to increase
performance as well as productivity. The remaining 8 respondents is not agree with this point
as it is determine from the study that this practices help in raising productivity of an
organization.
Q6.) What is the major benefit attained by higher authorities of Sainsbury
by retaining staff members for long duration?
Frequency
a) Increase in market share 15
b) Rise in productivity 10
c) Increase in brand image or reputation 5

a) Increase in market share b) Rise in productivity c) Increase in brand image
or reputation
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
10
5
Interpretation: The above graph stated that one of the major benefit of in retaining
employees is raise in market share of the company, which is said by 20 respondents. The
other 10 participants said there is increase in productivity and the 5 respondents think that
there is increase in brand image in retaining staff members for longer time period.
Q7.) Do you have knowledge about the importance of implementing equality
& diversity practices at workplace?
a) Yes 20
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
Interpretation: By analyzing the above graph, it is determined that out of 30 respondents, 20
participants have the knowledge about the implementation of equality and diversity whereas
10 respondents have no idea about the significance of this practices.
Q8) What are the major benefits gained by managers of Sainsbury while
adopting workplace discrimination strategies in the organisation?
a) Increase in efficiency 10
b) Enhancement in profitability 10
c) Long term sustainability at marketplace 10

a) Increase in efficiency b) Enhancement in
profitability c) Long term
sustainability at
marketplace
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
Interpretation: It is stated from the above graph that the benefit gained by mangers of
company in adopting workplace discrimination strategies is raise in efficiency that is said by
10 respondents. In addition to this, 10 respondents think that there is increase in profitability,
whereas 10 respondents said that implement workplace discrimination strategy assist
company to sustain in market for longer time frame.
Q9) Does issues of workplace discrimination influence the interest of
stakeholders associated with the company?
a) Yes 20
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
Interpretation: By interpreting the above graph, it is sated that issue of workplace influence
the interest of stakeholders of company which is said by 20 respondents out of 30
participants. The remaining 10 respondents think that there no influence on the interest of
stakeholders due to workplace discrimination issues.
Recommendations:
From the above discussion, below are some of the recommendations given to the
company:
 It is suggested to the company to adopt effective strategies in order to decline the
level of discrimination at workplace as it impact on the overall productivity and
profitability of the organization.
 It is recommended to management team of Sainsbury to maintain good relationship
with all the staff members which will help them to retain employees for longer time
period and save their cost of hiring new employees for the organization.
 It is also suggested to company to evaluate the performance of employees on
continuous manner as it will help in making improvements and develop an
understanding about skills and capabilities of all the staff members. It will help
company to enhance productivity and earn higher profits as well.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it is concluded that it is important for an organization to
minimize discrimination at workplace as it assist company to increase productivity as well as
profitability level. There are various strategies used by companies in order to minimize

workplace discrimination such as evaluation of performance, assign work according to
capability and skills, equal opportunity to men and women etc. In addition to this, it is
essential for an entity to maintain effective relationship with staff members which directly
leads to decline absenteeism and turnover rate of employees.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Berrey, E., Nelson, R. L. and Nielsen, L. B., 2017. Rights on trial: How workplace
discrimination law perpetuates inequality. University of Chicago Press.
Rosenblat, A., and et. al., 2017. Discriminating tastes: Uber's customer ratings as vehicles for
workplace discrimination. Policy & Internet, 9(3), pp.256-279.
Dhanani, L. Y., Beus, J. M. and Joseph, D. L., 2018. Workplace discrimination: A meta‐
analytic extension, critique, and future research agenda. Personnel
Psychology, 71(2), pp.147-179.
DeSouza, E. R., Wesselmann, E. D. and Ispas, D., 2017. Workplace Discrimination against
Sexual Minorities: Subtle and not‐so‐subtle. Canadian Journal of Administrative
Sciences/Revue Canadienne des Sciences de l'Administration, 34(2), pp.121-132.
Colella, A. and King, E. eds., 2018. The Oxford handbook of workplace discrimination.
Oxford University Press.
Marchiondo, L. A., Ran, S. and Cortina, L. M., 2018. Modern discrimination.
Caulley, S. L., 2017. The Next Frontier to LGBT Equality: Securing Workplace-
Discrimination Protections. U. Ill. L. Rev., p.909.
Heilman, M. E. and Caleo, S., 2018. Gender discrimination in the workplace.
Gehrke, A. K. and Feuerstein, M., 2017. Cancer, comorbidity and workplace discrimination:
The US experience. European journal of cancer care, 26(5), p.e12748.
Harnois, C. E. and Bastos, J. L., 2018. Discrimination, harassment, and gendered health
inequalities: do perceptions of workplace mistreatment contribute to the gender gap
in self-reported health?. Journal of health and social behavior, 59(2), pp.283-299.
Kosny, A., Santos, I. and Reid, A., 2017. Employment in a “land of opportunity?”
Immigrants’ experiences of racism and discrimination in the Australian
workplace. Journal of international migration and integration, 18(2), pp.483-497.
Shen, W. and Dhanani, L., 2018. Measuring and defining discrimination. The Oxford
handbook of workplace discrimination, pp.297-312.
McCord, M.A., and et. al., 2018. A meta-analysis of sex and race differences in perceived
workplace mistreatment. Journal of applied psychology, 103(2), p.137.

Business research plan
1 . Report Title: “Aim of the current research is “to examine the impact of workplace
discrimination on the performance of employees.” A case study of Sainsbury.
2. Business Context: For every business entity it is quite essential for the management team to
provide supportive as well as positive working environment to the staff members by reducing
discrimination at workplace. Workplace discrimination arise within the organization highly affects the
overall performance and efficiency of employees in a negative manner.
Objectives of the research:
 To understand the concept of discrimination arise at workplace.
 To examine the impact of workplace discrimination on the performance of employee
working within Sainsbury.
 To determine the strategies which need to be adopted by the management team of
Sainsbury to reduce the negative impact of workplace discrimination.
Research Questions:
 What do you know about the concept of discrimination arise at workplace?
 What are the impacts of workplace discrimination on the performance of employee
working within Sainsbury.
 What are the strategies which need to be adopted by the management team of
Sainsbury to reduce the negative impact of workplace discrimination.
4. Research methodology
The qualitative approach - It define as a primary method of research mainly based on the
human perception, hypothesis, observation and many more.
The quantitative approach – It means collecting of numerical and analytical data and
information which helps in concluding the whole research in a statistical manner. It will help in
drawing conclusion in an authentic and valid manner.
In this investigation, quantitative research approach is adopted by the investigator which helps in
concluding the research outcome in an effective manner and within given time period.

5. Method of Inquiry:
Data collection method:
For concluding a research in an effective and appropriate manner, it is quite essential for an
investigator to collect information and data from various sources and for this questionnaire is a method
used by researcher. This will help them in order to gather relevant information by analyzing opinion
and view of individuals. In the current research investigation, it has been said that probabilistic
sampling in which random method of data collection has been chosen by the researcher.
6. Identify ethical issues which has been faced.
The researcher while performing their investigation highly ensure that each and every law needs to be
followed by them so that they can gather positive results in an effective manner. In addition to this,
they need to maintain transparency and confidentiality about the information gathered by the
researcher from large number of respondents.
7. Planning: Provide a Gantt Chart
GANTT CHART-
It is a graphical representation of different activities which is considered by a researcher while
doing their operations so that all the activities will be completed within a given time frame. It includes
horizontal as well as vertical axis which shows the time duration which is taken by the researcher in
order to achieve their targets.

8. Professional & career development skills:
Professional & personal development skills assist me to become a researcher who can perform all the
operations in an ethical manner and grab ample number of opportunities available at the marketplace.
Along with this, it has also been said that my skills has been improved by conducting the research
which will assist me in near future.