Determining Impact of Workplace Discrimination at Marks and Spencer

This research project examines the impact of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. The report begins with an introduction defining equality and diversity, and highlighting the importance of addressing workplace discrimination. A literature review explores different types of discrimination, including age, race, and gender, and investigates their impact on workplace environments. The research methodology section details the chosen qualitative research method, exploratory research design, and Interpretivism philosophy, along with data collection and sampling methods. The data interpretation section analyzes findings from questionnaires, revealing insights into the prevalence of discrimination within the organization. The report concludes with recommendations for minimizing workplace discrimination and promoting a more inclusive environment. The project aims to identify the types of workplace discrimination, investigate its impact, and recommend strategies to minimize it.

Research Project
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Contents
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERARCTURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................6
DATA INTERPRETATION...........................................................................................................9
RESULT AND OUTCOME..........................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................18
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
Appendix........................................................................................................................................21
Ghantt chart...............................................................................................................................22
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Title: To Determine the impact of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity. A case
study on Marks and Spencer.
TASK 2
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity can be referred as “promoting” the equality of opportunity through
diversity which provide an equal right to individual for achieving potential goals and objectives.
The equality must ensure that individuals and group of peoples are not treated differently, on the
basis of their characteristics such as disability, race, religion, age, belief and gender. The
workplace equality is promoting the organization for eliminating discrimination in different
aforementioned areas (Daniels and Thornton, 2019). The purpose of project is to recognise, value
people and respect the individuals, realise their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture
for employees. In context of Marks and Spencer, it should be adopted the diversity at their
workplace to become important for improving workplace discrimination. Since, it still managing
overall workplace discrimination that remain challenges within organization. In this report, it
will examine the different ways to deals with workplace discrimination and also implement the
important guidelines that support for equality as well as diversity. In order to represent that how
to build an effective workplace culture or environment by evaluating various strategies.
Aim:
To Determine the impact of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity. A case study on
Marks and Spencer.
Objective:
 To identify the types of workplace discrimination.
 To investigate impact of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity.
 To recommend strategies to minimize workplace discrimination.
Research Questions:
 What are the different types of workplace discrimination?
 What are impacts of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity?
 What are different strategies to minimize workplace discrimination?
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LITERARCTURE REVIEW
Theme:1 Determine the different types of workplace discrimination.
According to Leslie and et.al. (2019) The workplace discrimination is based on the
prejudicial treatment which may affecting on the individuals in terms of promotions, training,
salary, terminating and benefits. These types of situation occur on the basis of religion, age,
gender and race. The discrimination legislation has protected the current employees those who
feel they have discriminated against in workplace. The age-based discrimination makes so much
violence among employee when people is unfairly treated because of their age. Many
organizations are followed the Age discrimination employ act, which may prohibit against the
staff members who are belonging the age of 40. In most of cases, under age of 40 are not
protected in properly. At workplace, Harassing the employee because of their age prohibited by
rules and regulations.
As per Brown and et.al. (2019) said that there are several kinds of discrimination occurs
based on the racial in which considered as most common that and people are familiar. It mainly
involves the treating staff member unfavourable due to race. It should be identified the certain
characteristics that associated with race. On the other hand, it also formed the discrimination
where illegal way to treat employee, applicant because of their country origin, ethnicity,
appearances and accent. The legislation forbid discrimination in various perspectives of
employment. Rumrill and et.al (2019) argue that women and men in the workplace shall be
given the equal pay scale, treatment because both are performing the substantial equal jobs that
should receive same payment. In this way, it covered under rules and regulation which may
include profit, salary, life insurance and many more.
Theme:2 Investigate impact of workplace discrimination on equality and diversity.
As per Daniels and Thornton (2019) opinion, The workplace discrimination impact on
the equality and diversity within organization. There are various types of issues that can be
determined, undoubtedly it may affect on the overall performance of organization. The major
challenge is communication which will develop unhealthy work environment and directly affects
on performance of employee. Many employers must be ensured that communication barriers
occur due to discrimination so as require to fixed at once. It once happens when employees are
unable to share their experience with their colleagues or managers within organization. manager
or leader will not give equal treatment for each employee so that it automatically develops
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workplace discrimination. In this way, it affects on the overall business productivity and
profitability in global marketplace. unfortunately, many enterprises establishments show
favouritism among their staff members. some manager favour one group of people. In this way,
it will generate an unhealthy environment in the organization. Without an effective team, it is not
possible for business to maintain their position in global marketplace.
According to Carnes, Fine and Sheridan (2019) A high profile discrimination have
becomes cost large corporation which is unlikely to be forced and pay an amount that extreme
level. In this way, discrimination practices directly affects on the job satisfaction level of staff
members. It should be provided the benefits, promotions, bonus and award on the basis of
employee qualification as well as their performance. If staff members are consistently seeing
promotions that will be given on the basis of age, race and other type of discrimination factors.
Theme:3 Recommend strategies to minimize workplace discrimination.
Li and et.al. (2020) as increasingly the diversity and equality at workplace, the possibility
of discrimination as well as harassment. There are lot of people suffering from discrimination in
global world. it is major issue which is greatly affects on the performance and profitability of
business. To avoid that getting these types of things at their worst situation. In this way, it would
be required for eliminating the negative things out of working system. There are different several
possible ways on how to reduce the discrimination in workplace. It has been implemented the
strategies for protecting the discrimination such as anti-discrimination law. It is one of most
common legislation that help for controlling and managing in the workplace. It should put the
suitable policies which provide equal rights to their employee. As much as possible that each
employee is indicating that must provide the copy of policy and compile the forms in properly.
Holman and et. al. (2019) Said that it will establish the filling complaints process and
applicable within organization to minimize harassment or discrimination at workplace. In this
way, it easily outlines any type of employee complain and take legal action towards illegal
activities. Most of employees are aware about the policies and followed the procedures in step by
step manner. Another way, it can be reduced the unwanted incident in workplace for providing
training or diversity. Training is important process that will help for creating a healthy working
environment and also change the behaviour of employee.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research is basically type of process that help for investigating to acquire idea, knowledge and
belief on existing understanding. It is considered as an activity that contributes to produce a new
idea. Through research process, it has involved the combination of research, analysis and
synthesis while predicting the entire project on behalf of primary as well as secondary sources
(Ledford and Gast, 2019).
Research Method
It is a type of systematic plan for conducting research project which mainly draw a
different type of methods. The research is covered the process of research as per understanding
on behalf of theory and also underpinning the choice of methods. Research methods are divided
into two type: qualitative and quantitative research method.
The researcher has chosen qualitative research method, which based on the theory and
recognise the previous study for future expansion. Through qualitative, it become easier for
researcher to identify important conceptual terms that useful for gaining more knowledge. The
investigator has considered an appropriate theme that should be included as a relationship to
original findings.
Research Design
It refers as strategy in the research project where providing the answer of particular
questions related case study. It is better way to collect and analyse the data for future expansion.
There are two type of research design such as exploratory and conclusive design (Quinlan and
et.al., 2019).
The Scholar has chosen exploratory research design which is not provide the final
conclusion of project. It may be given the right direction of investigator to gather new evidence
regarding project analyses. The researcher has used the qualitative method so that exploratory is
the suitable design for determining the nature of problem in case study.
Research Philosophy
It is a kind of procedure that mainly deals with nature, behaviour and knowledge of
research project. It should give an idea, assumptions and belief on the data or information that
gathered by qualitative method. The research philosophy has divided into different groups:
Interpretivism, Positivism, pragmatism and realism.
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The researcher has chosen Interpretivism Philosophy in project and integrated with the
human interest on particular case study. This type of philosophy is based on the reality to
empathizes with qualitative analysis. It is useful for researcher that associated with high level of
validity because data or information to be trustworthy.
Research Approach
It is a type of procedure that mainly consists of several assumptions for collecting large
number of data related to research project (Wiek and Lang, 2016). There are different types of
research approach such as Inductive, Deductive and Abductive approach
The scholar has chosen inductive research approach and start with observations as well as
theories which proposed towards findings. It is based on different theories which may involves
the search pattern from knowledge. This type of research approach is helping for investigator to
identify the different patterns and relationship with theory.
Data collection Method
It is basically process of gathering and collecting the data from authenticate source to
identify solution of particular problem in research study. In this way, it easily tests the hypothesis
and always evaluating accurate result or outcome. There are two type of data collection methods
such as primary and secondary.
The researcher has chosen primary data collection method for storing suitable
information related case study. The investigator has selected the data qualitative method so as
apply the primary method through questionnaires. As Qualitative study, it must ensure that
understanding the depth knowledge about the research project.
Sampling
It is a process that mainly used in the statistical analysis, which may pre-determine the
number of observations untaken from larger population (Attia and Edge, 2017). The
methodology is used to sample from large number of population and also depend on the analysis.
Large number of participants are interested towards the technique for analysing. In this way,
researcher has to do study and identifying different elements. Sometimes, it useful for generating
the correct solution. The sample size is 30 (Managers).
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Ethical consideration
In research project. It should be identified the ethical issues in the case study. If it has been
increased ethical issue when participant with dementia where they have no longer able to provide
fully informed consent. In this way, it can be considered the ethical principles that supports for
maintaining an effective coordination between participants during research study.
 It must ensure that research participant should not harm the subjected in any ways.
 It always respects for dignity of participants and give equal treatment at the time of
research analyses.
 It must ensure that protect and secure data in the research project.
 It should be ensured that maintain the confidentiality of research information.
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DATA INTERPRETATION
It is a concept for implementation of procedures through which information can be reviewed
for purpose of analysing. In order to identify the solution of research problem through
questionnaires. It is useful for addressed the positive as well as negative opinion of Managers
within organization.
Theme:1 Workplace discrimination is biggest problem in the organization.
Q1. Do you think that workplace discrimination is biggest problem in the organization?
Frequency Respondent
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
14
10
2
1
1
Total 30
Table: 1
Figure 1
Data Interpretation:
In above table, it mainly focused on the workplace discrimination issues so as per
analysis, it has investigated the data or information through managers within Marks and Spencer,
the discrimination can be increased the problem among employee related poor communication
and interaction. Furthermore, it can be identified that many respondents are agreed on the
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statement workplace discrimination. It has summarized that 14 respondents are agreed, 10
respondents agree, 2 strongly disagree, 1 respondent disagree and 1 respondent is neutral.
Mangers are sharing their personal experience so it become useful for collecting or gathering
correct information or data.
Theme:2 Male employee at workplace progress their career quickly than women.
Q2. Do you think that male employee at workplace progress their career quickly than women?
Frequency Respondent
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
10
4
10
4
2
Total 30
Table: 2
Figure 2
Data Interpretation:
In above chart, it can be discussed about the comparison between women and men, on the
basis of pay scale. In many places, it has given more priorities to the male candidates for specific
task completion so that they have a high pay income as compare to women. Sometimes, it can be
considered as gender-based discrimination. It can be analysed that 10 respondents are agreed, 4
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respondents agree, 10 strongly disagree and 4 respondents are disagreed, 2 respondents are
neutral. Mangers are shared their opinion and view point about the workplace career
enhancement of male employees. It is useful for collecting or gathering correct information or
data.
Theme:3 inequality exists in terms of pay scale within organization.
Q3 Do you think that inequality exists in terms of pay scale within organization?
Frequency Respondent
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
9
4
8
4
5
Total 30
Table: 3
Figure 3
Data Interpretation:
From above discussion, it has been evaluated the concept of inequality in terms of pay
scale which directly affects on the overall business performance of Marks and Spencer. Many
respondents are strongly agreed with the statement. As per analysis, it has found that 9
respondents are agreed, 4 respondents agree, 8 strongly disagree and 4 respondents are disagreed,
5 respondents are neutral. Mangers has shared their opinion and view point about the workplace
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inequalities that already exists within organization. It is useful for collecting or gathering correct
information or data.
Theme:4 Equality act law reduce the discrimination among employees at workplace.
Q4. Do you feel that Equality act law reduce the discrimination among employees at workplace?
Frequency Respondent
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
15
6
7
1
1
Total 30
Table: 4
Figure 4
Data Interpretation:
In above chart, it has been summarized the equality law that mainly used within
organization for improving overall business environment. In this way, it can be reduced the
discrimination at workplace. In Marks and Spencer, it can be used the equality law for providing
the equal rights to their employee. As per discussion with managers, it has analyzed that equality
law support for reducing discrimination in the workplace. Furthermore, in above table, it can be
determined that 15 respondents are agreed, 6 respondents agree, 7 strongly disagree and 1
respondent disagree, 1 respondent are neutral.
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