Analysis of Work-Life Balance at Sainsbury's: A Case Study Report

This report presents a case study on Sainsbury's, investigating the importance of work-life balance and its impact on organizational productivity. The study explores the practices relevant to work-life balance and enrichment experiences within a business context, identifies the challenges Sainsbury's faces in managing work-life balance among its employees, and examines strategies to foster a better organizational culture. The research employs an interpretivist philosophy and a qualitative investigation approach, utilizing both primary data collected through questionnaires from 20 Sainsbury's employees and secondary data from online sources. The findings reveal that work-life balance significantly influences employee behavior and productivity. The report analyzes the data, interprets the themes, and offers recommendations for improving work-life balance practices, including flexible working hours, dependent care, and fostering a supportive organizational culture to enhance employee well-being and commitment. The study concludes with a reflection on the research methodology and suggestions for alternative approaches.

Unit 11 - Research Project
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CONTENTS
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
TITLE: - “The work- life balance and enrichment experiences”. - Case study on Sainsbury's......3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................3
Rationale......................................................................................................................................3
Aim:.............................................................................................................................................3
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................3
Research questions.......................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................4
The practices relevant to work- life balance and enrichment experiences in context of business
organization.................................................................................................................................4
The challenges that Sainsbury's undergoes during managing work- life balance among
employees....................................................................................................................................4
The strategies that leads to generate better organization working culture in order to maintain
work life balance and enrichment experience.............................................................................5
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................5
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.....................................................8
CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH OUTCOMES....................................................................................13
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................13
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION......................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 8: RECOMMENDATION..........................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
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TITLE: - “The work- life balance and enrichment experiences”. - Case study
on Sainsbury's
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
A work life balance is an organisational concept which help an employee to divide their
time and energy between the work as well as impart areas of life effectively. This plays a
significant role in keeping employees engaged within the work and doesn’t compromise on work
due to mis-management of work and life (Galea, Houkes and De Rijk, 2014). The concept of
work-life balance has become a crucial part for each organisation as it directly influences the
productivity of employees which in turn if not get due attention then it may affect the
organisation’s performance in market. For determining the influence of work life balance over
organisational productivity, this investigation is performed. To conduct this study effectively,
Sainsbury is taken into consideration which is a second largest supermarket within United
Kingdom which offer range of grocery items and other useful daily essentially product or
services. Addition to this it also works in several different areas like clothing, homeware &
outdoors, banking and many more (Kossek, Valcour and Lirio, 2014). As it operates its business
operations in several different areas it become crucial for the company to determine the
importance of work life balance.
Rationale
The main aim behind conducting this study is to develop an understanding regrading the
importance of work life balance for an organisation and manner in which it is helpful for
company in improving it productivity. Other than that, this study also help in determining several
challenges that an organisation while developing a culture that promote a balance life fro
employees (Bedarkar and Pandita, 2014). This in turn help other organisations to get an idea
regarding the issue they may face so that strategies can be formulated accordingly.
Aim:
“To investigate the importance of supporting work- life balance practices and enrichment
experiences on organization productivity” - Case Study on Sainsbury's
Research objectives
 To understand the practices relevant to work- life balance and enrichment experiences in
context of business organization.
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 To determine the challenges that Sainsbury's undergoes during managing work- life
balance among employees.
 To identify the strategies that leads to generate better organization working culture in
order to maintain work life balance and enrichment experience.
Research questions
 What are the practices relevant to work- life balance and enrichment experiences in
context of business organization?
 What are the challenges that Sainsbury's undergoes during managing work- life balance
among employees?
 What are the strategies that leads to generate better organization working culture in order
to maintain work life balance and enrichment experience?
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
The practices relevant to work- life balance and enrichment experiences in context of business
organization
As per the view point of Weber. J. L., 2018, in todays business world, organizations
believe that the productivity of an employees is highly get affected by working culture or
environment they get. As while working over a restricted schedule it become impossible for
employees to maintain a balance between their work and life which in turn increase their stress
and directly affect their performance. In order to deal with these issues there are number of
practices that organizations mainly adopt such as restricting working hours where employees are
order to complete work efficiently in provided hours (Henly and Lambert, 2014). Other than this,
flexibility in overtime is provided so that people can manage their work accordingly and also get
some personal time for themselves. Other than this, employees that are newly made parents
provided with some relaxation in their working hours so that they can manage their
responsibilities accordingly.
The challenges that Sainsbury's undergoes during managing work- life balance among
employees
Jansen. M., 2016, stated that while implementing actions toward supporting employees to
have a well-managed work and life, there are number of issues that Sainsbury may face. This
mainly includes lack of control as when organization provide more benefit to the employees then
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it sometimes results into lack of efforts from employee’s side and they take work casually which
in turn increase the work load which incurred delay in work. Other than this, unsupportive
relationship at work is another issue that may make it difficult to manage work or results into
unproductive work as employees get more demotivated toward the work and find harder to
manage. Addition to this lack of availability of resources while managing the work life balance is
also one of the major issues that Sainsbury may face which may affect its implication of strategy
or company may suffer at their productivity.
The strategies that leads to generate better organization working culture in order to maintain
work life balance and enrichment experience
As per the view point of Fluke. A., 2017, there are number of strategies that can be adopted
by Sainsbury in order to provide its employees with a working culture that support them in
managing a balance between work and life. This includes dependent care; many employees
remain concern about their children while working that affect their work too. So, for this
Sainsbury can provide them a benefit of dependent care where either they get an onsite
dependent care or get a time off care for family member. Other than this, flexibility working hour
can also be provided where employees can work for some flexible hour or day instead of
working over a restricted schedule which provide them a chance to have a work and life balance.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is consider to be a significant part of an investigation as it provide reader
an idea regarding the number of methods or tools used by researcher to conduct a particular
study which in turn represent its validity and reliability (Tuohy and et.al., 2013). The methods
used for this study are mentioned below:
Research philosophy- The research philosophy is considered as Interpretivism and
positivism that are mainly adopted by an investigator. The current report is performed using
interpretivism philosophy as it helps in assessing the perception of people effectively that
support researcher in concluding findings appropriately.
Type of investigation: - An investigation is mainly performed either using Qualitative or
quantitative method (Walliman, 2017). Under this study data is gathered with the help of
qualitative type of investigation which support in explaining the facts more effectively by
connecting it with desired concepts.
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Research approach: Inductive and deductive are the two approaches which are mainly
used within an investigation (Kumar, 2019). Among them inductive approach is used as it is
more suitable for analysing and extracting out finding from the qualitative information.
Additionally, it also make use of theatrical framework for making data more explanatory to
reader.
Data collection- Within an investigation data is mainly gather by either using primary
sources or secondary or sometimes both. For this study data is collected from both primary and
secondary sources (Omland and Thapa, 2017). Among them primary information will be
gathered with the help of questionnaire, while on other side the secondary data is gathered using
online sources like books, journals, articles etc. The combination of both the sources support
researcher in presenting most accurate and reliable information by connecting the current and
past information all together.
Sampling- It is a process of selecting people out of whole population for gathering
primary information for a research. Sampling is performed either using probability or non-
probability sampling (Wiek and Lang, 2016). Among them probability sampling method is used
that provide equal opportunity to individual of being selected. For current study the sample size
is 20 employees of Sainsbury.
Research strategy- For executing an investigation, several strategies are being adopted by
the investigator which help them in gathering information such as case study, questionnaire,
survey, observation etc. Within current investigation questionnaire is used for collecting
gathering information that collect larger amount of information in less possible time period
(Mackey and Gass, 2015). The questionnaire is presented below:
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you think that work-life balance of employees may have influence over their behaviour
at workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2 What are different manner in which work-life balance of employees influence the Sainsbury?
a) Increasing employees stress
b) Lower down the employee’s productivity
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c) Increase occurrence of work error
Q3 According to you, what benefit Sainsbury will get by adopting practices that allow
employees to maintain their work life balance?
a) Low absenteeism
b) Great employee commitment
c) Increase productivity
Q4 What are several actions that Sainsbury can take toward allowing employees in getting better
work-life balance?
a) Flexible working hour
b) Encourage vacations
c) Provide short breaks
Q5 In what manner equality and diversity can support Sainsbury within maintaining a work-life
balance of employees?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c)Neutral
Q6 Do you think that by improving the organisational culture, Sainsbury be able to manage a
work life balance for its employees?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7 What are major challenges that Sainsbury has to face while working toward managing a
work-life balance among employees?
a) Culture resist to change
b) Support from senior management
c) Inappropriate communication flow
Q8 What are several strategies that Sainsbury can adopt for improving organisational culture that
leads to management of work life balance?
a) Equality among employees
b) Develop coordination
c) Regular employees’ interaction
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CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Q1. Do you think that work-life balance of employees may have influence
over their behaviour at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
Q2 What are different manner in which work-life balance of employees
influence the Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Increasing employees stress 10
b) Lower down the employee’s productivity 5
c) Increase occurrence of work error 5
Q3 According to you, what benefit Sainsbury will get by adopting practices
that allow employees to maintain their work life balance?
Frequency
a) Low absenteeism 6
b) Great employee commitment 9
c) Increase productivity 5
Q4 What are several actions that Sainsbury can take toward allowing
employees in getting better work-life balance?
Frequency
a) Flexible working hour 8
b) Encourage vacations 7
c) Provide short breaks 5
Q5 In what manner equality and diversity can support Sainsbury within
maintaining a work-life balance of employees?
Frequency
a) Positive 9
b) Negative 6
c)Neutral 5
Q6 Do you think that by improving the organisational culture, Sainsbury be
able to manage a work life balance for its employees?
Frequency
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a) Yes 13
b) No 7
Q7 What are major challenges that Sainsbury has to face while working
toward managing a work-life balance among employees?
Frequency
a) Culture resist to change 9
b) Support from senior management 3
c) Inappropriate communication flow 8
Q8 What are several strategies that Sainsbury can adopt for improving
organisational culture that leads to management of work life balance?
Frequency
a) Equality among employees 8
b) Develop coordination 6
c) Regular employees’ interaction 6
Data interpretation: -
Theme 1: Work-life balance of employees may have influence over their behaviour at
workplace
Q1. Do you think that work-life balance of employees may have influence
over their behaviour at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
Interpretation: - By performing investigation over influence of work life balance on
employee’s productivity it has been found that 15 employees said yes it do while 5 said no it
don’t. from this it has been identified that work life balance highly affect the behaviour of
employees as it creates a sense of dissatisfaction and demotivation which affect the manner in
which work performed by employees.
Theme 2: Ways work-life balance of employees influence the Sainsbury
Q2 What are different manner in which work-life balance of employees
influence the Sainsbury?
Frequency
a) Increasing employees stress 10
b) Lower down the employee’s productivity 5
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c) Increase occurrence of work error 5
Interpretation: - There are number of ways in which work life balance affect Sainsbury
and over these 10 employees said it increase employees stress, 5 said it lower down the
productivity and 5 said that it increases work errors. From this it has been found that more people
believe it increases employees stress which in turn disturb the work they perform that further
result into unproductive work and hence Sainsbury have to face loss over this.
Theme 3: Benefit Sainsbury will get by adopting practices that allow employees to maintain
their work life balance
Q3 According to you, what benefit Sainsbury will get by adopting practices
that allow employees to maintain their work life balance?
Frequency
a) Low absenteeism 6
b) Great employee commitment 9
c) Increase productivity 5
Interpretation: - By supporting employees in managing work life balance, Sainsbury
will get number of benefits on these 6 employees said that it lower down the absenteeism, while
9 said that it provides employees commitment and 5 said it increase productivity. From this it has
been found that by helping in managing work life balance, Sainsbury will be benefited with
greater employee’s commitment as with a better life employee be able to perform their work
well. As when organisation support them then they also prefer to work effectively toward its
success with providing their full contribution
Theme 4: Actions that Sainsbury can take toward allowing employees in getting better work-
life balance
Q4 What are several actions that Sainsbury can take toward allowing
employees in getting better work-life balance?
Frequency
a) Flexible working hour 8
b) Encourage vacations 7
c) Provide short breaks 5
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Interpretation: - There are several actions that Sainsbury can take to action a work life
balance, such as 8 employees said that flexible working hour would be better action, while 10
said encouraging vacation and 5 said providing short break would be beneficial. From this it has
been found that flexible working hour will be most effective action that Sainsbury can take as it
support in keeping the employees active and dedicated toward their work and at the same time
they will get time for their personal life too which reduce their stress and make them fresh at
workplace.
Theme 5: Equality and diversity can support Sainsbury within maintaining a work-life
balance of employees
Q5 In what manner equality and diversity can support Sainsbury within
maintaining a work-life balance of employees?
Frequency
a) Positive 9
b) Negative 6
c)Neutral 5
Interpretation: - By performing investigation over the role of equality and diversity at
workplace it has bene found that 9 employees that equality and diversity support positively
toward maintaining work life balance, while 6 said it doesn’t has ant relation so negatively
influence while 5 said it is neutral as things depend on situation. From this it has been found that
by maintaining equality at workplace Sainsbury would be able to manage work life balance as by
remaining satisfied with work employees be able to perform it more effectively or timely manner
that bring time for their personal life too.
Theme 6: Improving the organisational culture, Sainsbury be able to manage a work life
balance for its employees
Q6 Do you think that by improving the organisational culture, Sainsbury be
able to manage a work life balance for its employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 13
b) No 7
Interpretation: - By performing the investigation over determining the improvement of
organisational culture help in managing the work life balance for employees it has been found
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that 13 employees said yes to this, while 7 employees said no to this. It has been found that
majority of employees are agree with this statement as when the employees get positive working
culture where they found support and corporation it become possible for them to manage their
time and also be able to involve equally in their personal life without compromising over work.
Theme 7: Major challenges that Sainsbury has to face while working toward managing a
work-life balance among employees
Q7 What are major challenges that Sainsbury has to face while working
toward managing a work-life balance among employees?
Frequency
a) Culture resist to change 9
b) Support from senior management 3
c) Inappropriate communication flow 8
Interpretation: - It has been found that there are number of challenges that Sainsbury
face while managing work life balance for employees from this it has been found that 9 said that
culture resist to change is a major issues, while 3 said support from senior management but 8
said inappropriate communication flow is the issue. From this it has been found that highest risk
that Sainsbury may face while implementing this is culture which restrict changes to enter within
the organisation as it directly affects the working pattern or strategies for operation.
Theme 8: - Strategies that Sainsbury can adopt for improving organisational culture that leads
to management of work life balance
Q8 What are several strategies that Sainsbury can adopt for improving
organisational culture that leads to management of work life balance?
Frequency
a) Equality among employees 8
b) Develop coordination 6
c) Regular employees’ interaction 6
Interpretation: - The Sainsbury can adopt several strategies in order to improve
organisational culture, over these 8 respondents said that by brining equality among employees it
become possible, while 6 said by developing coordination and 6 people said regular employees’
interaction would be most effective strategy. From this it has been found equality among
employees will help Sainsbury in adopting this, as by providing equal benefit to men and women
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