Impact of Workplace Discrimination: A Research Project at Deichmann

This research proposal investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on employee productivity within an organization, using Deichmann as a case study. The study aims to determine the influence of workplace discrimination on employees' mental health, identify factors leading to discrimination, and understand its effects. The proposal includes research objectives, questions, and a literature review citing sources like Tia Benjamin, Stacy Thomson, and others, exploring the effects of discrimination on mental health, employee performance, and organizational operations. The methodology involves a positivism philosophy, deductive approach, questionnaire-based data collection, and quantitative analysis with a sample size of 50 respondents. The project's timeline, activities, and ethical considerations, including participant consent and data handling, are also detailed within the proposal. Ethical approval is sought, and the research methods, including questionnaires and potential interviews, are described in detail.

Unit Number and Title Unit 11 – Research Project
Project Title Research Project

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______To determine the impact of workplace discrimination over
employees productivity within an organisation. A study on Deichmann.
________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question,
objective or hypothesis)
To determine the influence of workplace discrimination on the mental health of
employees. A study on Deichmann.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do
you want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
Research Objectives:
 To determine impact of workplace discrimination within an organisation
 To identify the influence of employees' mental health over functioning of
Deichmann
 To ascertain different ways through which workplace discrimination influences
mental health of employees
Research question:
 What is the influence of discrimination at workplace over employees?
 What impact does employees' mental health bring on the execution of
operations by Deichmann?
 Explain manner in which discrimination at workplace affect mental health of
workers?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are
studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to
improve, why the topic is important):
The main purpose behind conducting this study is to develop an understanding
regarding the influence that workplace discrimination brings over the employees.
Additionally this investigation will also help in determining several factors that leads to

workplace discrimination and manner in which it influence the employees' mental
health. By gaining this understanding it become easier for several other organisation to
avoid such practices and improve the productivity of their employees by providing
more mental satisfaction. Additionally this research can also be used for academical
purpose which support in providing an insight to the students regarding the importance
of workplace equality and practices for promoting this.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
The influence of discrimination at workplace over employees
According to the view point of Tia Benjamin, 2018, discrimination is a type of prejudicial
treatment that employees may face at workplace related with promotion, salary,
duties, training, recruitment, benefits etc. on the basis of gender, age, religion,
disability, race etc. These kind of discrimination have an huge influence over the
employees mentally as while facing discriminatory behaviour they get into depression,
feel anxious, loss of self control etc. these in turn further affect the productivity as well
as performance of an employees.
On the other side, from the view point of Pham-Thi, T.T. and et. al., 2019, discrimination
at workplace is the major cause behind an organisation lack behind within the
competition at marketplace. This is so because discrimination directly influence the
growth and development of the employees, therefore several laws and regulations are
also being developed by the government for minimizing such issues.
Impact of employees' mental health on the execution of operations by
Deichman
As per the view point of Stacy Thomson, 2016, the psychological well being of an
employees in directly linked with its productivity as well as functioning of an
organisation. Therefore, it remains very crucial for an organisation to recognise a link
between workplace productivity as well as mental health issues. This in turn directly
influence the staff turnover, reputation and presentism or absenteeism of employees
within an organisation.
As per the view point of .Graham, K.M. and et. al., 2019, an organisation success is
totally depends over the employees as they are the one who put all the efforts toward
fulfilling the need and want of customers. Therefore employees plays a significant role
within improving the functioning of an organisation by enhancing the quality of work
which in turn leads to customers satisfaction. But due to poor mental health it leads to

increase in dissatisfaction, stress and disappointment related environment at workplace
which directly influence the functioning of employees and then functioning of business
as well.
Discrimination at workplace affect mental health of workers
As per the view point of T. Rajgopal, 2010, mental health of employees are very crucial
for a healthy working culture within an organisation. It is so because the mental health
problem brings up negative influence over employers as well as business as it leads to
reduction on productivity or profit, increase absenteeism and also increase in costs to
deal with issues.
According to the information presented by Triana, M.D.C. and et. al., 2019,
discrimination at workplace results into creating more work related stress among the
employees that is consider as a major reason behind reduction in the productivity and
human error. This in turn directly influence the functioning of Deichmann as due to
inappropriate mental health the productivity get reduced which in turn directly affect
organisational functioning among competitors and its marketplace.
Within the study performed by Elaine Brohan, Graham Thornicroft, 2010, it has been
found that the people with mental health problem are reported for being turned down
of the job due to their mental health problem. In addition to this such situation also stop
them to perform work effectively as they face discrimination at workplace.
References
Triana, M.D.C. and et. al., 2019. Perceived workplace gender discrimination and
employee consequences: a meta-analysis and complementary studies considering
country context. Journal of management, 45(6), pp.2419-2447.
Graham, K.M. and et. al., 2019. Patterns of workplace discrimination across broad
categories of disability. Rehabilitation psychology,64(2), p.194.
Pham-Thi, T.T. and et. al., 2019. The Relationship Between Gender Discrimination
Versus Job Satisfaction and Mental Health of Vietnamese Workers.
Tia Benjamin., 2020. The Ways Discrimination Negatively Affects Businesses [Online]
Available through: <https://smallbusiness.chron.com/ways-discrimination-negatively-
affects-businesses-36925.html>
Brohan. E., Thornicroft. G., 2010. Stigma and discrimination of mental health problems:
workplace implications. [Online] Available through:
<https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/60/6/414/1390841>
T. Rajgopal, 2010. Mental well-being at the workplace. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062016/>
Thomsan. s., 2016. Mental ill health in the workplace and the impact on business
productivity [Online] Available through: <https://www.businesshealthy.org/mental-ill-

health-workplace-impact-business-productivity/>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project
(e.g research, development and analysis of ideas,
writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor
meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation,
writing the report):
Introduction
Aims and Objectives
Literature Review
Methodology
Submission of research proposal
Feedback from Supervisor
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Conclusion and Recommendation
Reflection
Submission of final report
How long this will
take:
11 Days
7 Days
22 Days
22 Days
1 Days
1 Days
18 Days
15 Days
13 Days
7 Days
1 Days
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart
It is a graphical tool which support in diverting the efforts of investigator in right
direction by presenting a set of research activities to be performed in sequential
manner along with the time taken by them so that investigation can be performed in
more sequential manner.

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and
why? What your areas of research will cover:
Research methodology is basically refers to the framework that consist of information
regarding the tools and techniques that will be applied by an investigator in order to
perform investigation effectively. Under this section, a framework will be used to select
right tools and techniques i.e. onion framework which help in presenting each section
systematically. The framework consist of six layer which is mentioned below:
Research philosophy:- Interpretivism and positivism are the two major philosophies
that are used for performing an investigation. In this investigation positivism philosophy
will be implemented as its is based on quantitative research and help in getting
appropriate information regarding this study.
Research approach:- For performing investigation two type of approaches are used
such as inductive and deductive. Among them deductive approach will be used as it
help in gathering quantitative data about the stated topic.
Research strategy:- It refers to tactics used for gathering information such as survey,
case study, observation etc. For collecting information regarding this study
questionnaire will be used which support in gathering larger amount of information at a
time.
Type of investigation:- A research is mainly performed in two manner such as
qualitative and quantitative. Among them quantitative approach will be taken into
consideration as it provide reliable and valid information out of statistical data.
Time horizon:- The time horizon are of two type such as cross-sectional as well as
longitudinal approach. For performing this study cross sectional method will be used
that support in completing this investigation in limited time period.
Data Collection:- The information for investigation is gathered through two sources
such as primary and secondary. For this both methods will be used where primary
information will be gathered through questionnaire and secondary data will be
gathered using online sources such as journals, articles, e-book etc.
Sampling:- In an investigation, sampling performed using two methods such as
probabilistic and non-probabilistic. Among them probabilistic method will be used
where the sample size would be 50 respondents.

Research design:- The research designs are of three type such as experimental,
exploratory and descriptive. Among them descriptive research will be used as it help in
presenting information in detailed and more meaningful manner.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for
another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date
Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of
data collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before
commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your
form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully
with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research
project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
To determine the impact of workplace discrimination over employees productivity
within an organisation. A study on Deichmann.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 26.11.2019
Intended research end date: 7.05.2020

Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Participants will be selected with the help of probabilistic sampling
method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Participants will be informed with the help of emails.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be
made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any
time?
The consent of participant will be taken in written with the help of
informed consent form where it will be clearly mentioned that they can
withdrawal anytime they want.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this

Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief
explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could
be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the
Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher only
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
USB and Laptop
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
USB and Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
At least 2-3 years

Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply.
Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy: Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to
the Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.