Investigation into Sexual Harassment at John Lewis and Partners

This research project investigates sexual harassment as a form of discrimination within John Lewis and Partners, a high-end department store in Great Britain. The study aims to explore visible and invisible workplace discrimination, the challenges employees face due to sexual harassment, and its impact on employee performance. The research utilizes thematic analysis, examining employee perceptions through a series of questions, and identifies key behaviors constituting sexual harassment, the impact of harassment on operations, and challenges faced by employees. The analysis reveals that sexual harassment negatively affects the overall performance of John Lewis and Partners, leading to recommendations for implementing effective policies, employee training, and awareness programs to mitigate the issue. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of addressing sexual harassment to reduce discrimination and improve business performance and employee motivation.

Research
Project

Table of Content
 Research Title
 Introduction
 Research Aim and Objectives
 Research Questions
 Thematic Analysis
 Conclusion
 References

Research Title
“Sexual harassment as discrimination in the workplace.A case
of John Lewis and Partners.”

Introduction
The existing study initiates to determine the sexual harassment of employees as a
form of discrimination at John Lewis and Partners. Therefore, in today’s
modern business environment people are very much conscious about their
career and job as women are also become more career oriented and very
much focused towards developing their job role via enhancing their
performance. In this present investigation work, John Lewis and Partners are
the chosen organisation, thus John Lewis & Partners is a highly effective
brand of high-end department stores which are mainly operating through
great Britain.

Research Aim
The main aim of this research project is to investigate the sexual
harassment of employees as a form of discrimination at John
Lewis and Partners.

Research and Objectives
• To study the concept of visible and invisible workplace discrimination.
• To examine the challenges faced by employees due to sexual harassment.
• To analyse and recommend the impact of sexual harassment on the performance
of employees.

Research Questions
 What are the behaviours that might constitute sexual harassment?
 When is sexual harassment not employers responsibility?
 What are the most typical discrimination violations?

Theme 1) Individual have appropriate idea about the concept of
sexual harassment of employees as a form of discrimination within
an organisation.
Q1) Do you have an appropriate idea about the concept of sexual harassment of
employees as a form of discrimination within an organisation?
Frequency
Yes 29
No 1

Theme 2) Visible and invisible workplace discrimination is
determined to be the major threat for business growth.
Q2) According to you, visible and invisible workplace discrimination is
determined to be the major threat for business growth?
Frequency
Yes 28
No 2

Theme 3) Sexual harassment is a major issue of discrimination which
affects the overall performance of John Lewis and Partners.
Q3) According to you sexual harassment is a major issue of discrimination which
affects the overall performance of John Lewis and Partners?
Frequency
Yes 28
No 2

Theme 4) There are assorted key behaviors that might constitute
sexual harassment.
Q4) As per your opinion, what are the key behaviours that might constitute sexual
harassment?
Frequency
Deliberate touching or repeated brushing against another's body 7
Pictorial or actual displays of obscenity 8
Repeated requests for a date or for sexual activity with people 8
Unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards 7

Theme 5) Sexual harassment mainly have negative impact over the
operations and progression of John Lewis and Partners.
Q5) According to your view, which kind of impact does sexual harassment have
over the operations and progression of John Lewis and Partners?
Frequency
Positive 5
Negative 22
Neutral 3

Theme 6) There are assorted challenges which are mainly faced by
employees within John Lewis and Partners due to sexual harassment.
Q6) As per your view, what key challenges are mainly faced by employees
within John Lewis and Partners due to sexual harassment?
Frequency
Disruption of work culture 7
Reduction in goodwill and loyalty amongst the employees 7
Distortion of public image due to media lynching 8
Difficulty in talent acquisition 8

Theme 7) There are assorted typical discrimination violations at
workplace.
Q7) According to you, What are the most typical discrimination violations at
workplace?
Frequency
Direct discrimination 5
Indirect discrimination 6
Harassment 15
Victimisation 4

Theme 8) There are different ways that can be opt by John Lewis and
Partners for reducing the issue of sexual harassment.
Q8) As per your view, what ways can be opt by John Lewis and Partners for
reducing the issue of sexual harassment?
Frequency
Incorporate training on harassment 10
Raise awareness 5
Suitable policy implementation 8
Incorporate staff welfare into review meetings and appraisals 7

Theme 9) Incorporate training of harassment and policy
implementation are needs to be implemented by John Lewis and
Partners for addressing the issue of sexual harassment at workplace.
Q9) Do you think that, incorporate training of harassment and policy
implementation are needs to be implemented by John Lewis and Partners for
addressing the issue of sexual harassment at workplace?
Frequency
Yes 29
No 1

Theme 10) Different stakeholder of John Lewis and Partners is
mainly affected by the issue of sexual harassment.
Q10) As per your view, which stakeholder of John Lewis and Partners is mainly
affected by the issue of sexual harassment?
Frequency
Shareholders 2
Employees 20
Customers 4
Suppliers 4

Recommendation
As per the detailed analysis of the project it has been recommended that, John Lewis
and Partners are recognised to be a global brand which is needs to be focused over
implementing effective policies that are in favour of reducing the issue of sexual
harassment at work place and improvise the operations of business at market place.
From the analysis of the study it has also been recommended to John Lewis and
Partners or its management to incorporates training to their employees in relation to
facing the issue of sexual harassment at work place. In addition to this company
should also create awareness about the issue of sexual harassment and take
appropriate actions in against of any miss behaviour at workplace.

Conclusion
After the execution of the project it has been concluded that, sexual harassment is
a major issue which is requires to be resolved by the businesses in respect to
reducing the issue of discrimination and develops the overall performance of
the business. As per the analysis of the project it has also been evaluated that,
sexual harassment is a major issue which affects the overall functions and
motivation level of employees at workplace which influences the profitability
of the business. So it has been recognised that, businesses are needs to be
concern about implementing suitable policies to protect the right of employees
at work place.

References
Charlesworth, S., McDonald, P.K., Worley, A., Graham, T. and
Lykhina, A., 2012. Formal complaints of workplace sexual
harassment lodged with Australian Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commissions-1 July 2009-31 December 2009.
Centre for Work+ Life, University of South Australia.
Kaltiala-Heino, R., Fröjd, S. and Marttunen, M., 2016. Sexual
harassment and emotional and behavioural symptoms in
adolescence: stronger associations among boys than
girls. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 51(8),
pp.1193-1201.

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