Investigating Workplace Discrimination's Impact on Employee Motivation

This research proposal investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on employee motivation within the retail sector, specifically focusing on Sainsbury. The study aims to identify the concept of discrimination and motivation, determine the impact of discrimination on employee motivation, assess organizational outcomes in response to discrimination, and provide recommendations for improving employee motivation. The literature review covers key themes such as the concept of discrimination and motivation, the impact of discrimination on motivation, and organizational outcomes. The methodology includes a qualitative approach using questionnaires, an inductive research approach, interpretivism philosophies, and both primary and secondary data collection methods with non-probabilistic sampling. The research acknowledges limitations in resource availability and time constraints. Ethical considerations involve obtaining informed consent and adhering to government regulations. The time plan outlines the stages of the research process, from selecting the topic to submitting the final report. The reflection highlights the development of communication skills and the importance of the research process.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(Impact of workplace discrimination of
employees motivation)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives.................................................................................................................3
Research question...................................................................................................................3
Rational...................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
ETHICAL ISSUE............................................................................................................................8
TIME PLAN....................................................................................................................................9
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

Title: To investigate the matter related to impact of discrimination at workplace relating to
employees motivation – A study on retail sectors.
INTRODUCTION
Motivation reflect the important aspects through which it assembles the company
integrity to motivate the employees to achieve targets within the stipulated time (Motivation,
2019). In context of employees motivation it carries various aspects which is adapted by
organisation to get better better productivity (Colella and King, 2018). Discrimination in
workplaces is mainly considered to be the negative aspects of the organisation as it mainly
occurs through genders, colour, region, religion or any sexuality issue. Present report is based
upon the Sainsbury which was founded by John James Sainsbury in 1869. It is considered to be
one of the second largest supermarket chain in UK carrying various products and also engaged
with 1,86,900 employees carrying their business globally. They also located at several places and
also carried 1415 shops around the world.
Aim and objectives
Aim: To identify the impact of discrimination at workplace relating to employees motivation – A
study on Sainsbury.
Objectives:
 To evaluate the concept of discrimination and motivation among the employees at
workplace.
 To determines the impact arises through discrimination of employees motivation in
organisation.
 To assess the outcomes adapted by organisation in context of discriminating employees at
workplace.
 To provide recommendation to Sainsbury regarding adapting the best methods to
motivate employees through the aspects of discrimination at workplace.
Research question
1. What is the concept of discrimination and motivation among the employees at
workplace?
2. How the impact arises through discrimination of employees motivation in organisation?

3. What is the outcomes adapted by organisation in context of discriminating employees at
workplace?
Rational
The main reason of choosing this topic is that usually companies discriminate employees
on the bases of their capability and gender regarding accomplishing the task. Thus, the main
aspects of choosing this topic is that the identify the various aspects regarding the discrimination
which is committed by company and also it affects the employees motivation which reflect in
getting better productivity. Thus, from the above issue arises, the reason behind conducting this
topic is that it investigative the aspects relating to managing the employees motivation in respect
of facing discrimination at work place. As various authors had investigate the matter relating to
discrimination at work place thus, it is termed to be the easier task to gather data and information
related to the selected research topic.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Concept of discrimination and motivation among the employees at workplace
According to Marchiondo, Ran and Cortina (2018) the concept of discrimination which
affects the motivation of employees is mainly related to race factors. As every person had their
own capabilities and thoughts to interpret the work. In such perspective discrimination is done by
organisation regarding giving priority to that person which is more knowledgable and familiar
with the work and also the higher job position is offered to them similarly in case of motivation.
Through this perspective employees are motivated as they tried harder to achieve the post by
giving more productive results in workplace.
Nica and Molnar (2016) argued that through motivating employees regarding achieving
the higher post, it results in judging the other employees capabilities regarding not giving
accurate results. As every person had their own skills and strategies to accomplish the task. Thus,
by discriminating them on the bases of genders, race is not fair for the employees working in the
organisation. This results in facing lack of motivation of employees and also it affects the
company reputation and goodwill at lager scale.
Sia, Sahoo and Duari (2015) stated that discrimination is mainly committed by company
in respect of separating the employees who are weak or not accomplish the task better. For e.g.
In case of Sainsbury, they treat their employees equally and also discrimination occurs in respect
of women employees working in the premises. The discrimination mainly reflect the positive

aspects for company as employees which cannot work in hazardous places are to be set for
accomplishing in operational work.
Rana and Malik (2017) criticised that women had more power and capabilities to
accomplish the task in better perspective as compared from men. As women cannot be judged on
the bases of their power, they carry various skills to bring innovation in products and services
which is offered by company. Thus, discrimination in respect of gender results in demotivating
employees relating to work in similar post. This distract the mind and interest of other employees
to work accurately. Motivation is must at work place as every person are treated equally and also
employees are motivated if they given priority to presents their reviews and thoughts regarding
attaining the particular task.
Theme 2: Impact arises through discrimination of employees motivation in organisation
As per Mihăilă (2016) the impact arises through discrimination at workplace is resulting
to analysing the lack of productivity as employees are distracted by viewing the discrimination.
Employees are motivated if they finds that every employees are treated equally and also they
given equal opportunity to present their reviews and ideas at work premises. This in such case
impact arise through affecting the working environment and also it affects the goodwill and
reputation of the company.
Lain (2016) interpreted that the impact also find in respect of communication. As if the
employees are discriminated on the bases of various aspects, it results in bringing
communication barriers among employees. The success of the company is determined through
the employees team work and also through their innovative ideas and thoughts. Thus, if their is
less communication, it results in not sharing their ideas and thoughts with each other and it thus
reflects the conflict between the employees. Though this aspects, it indirectly affects the working
environment and also raise conflict among the employees to work as team. This also affects the
organisational culture through facing the discrimination issue at work premises.
Bender and Elliott (2018) examined that the impact also arises in respect of not following
the orders or values which is assigned by the superiors in respect of facing any discrimination at
work place. As due to having discrimination, It demotivated employees to follow the guidelines
which is given by leaders or managers regarding accomplishing the task within stipulated time.
In such manner employees are diversified regarding attaining the particular task in better manner
and also resulting to facing various issue in respecting other at workplace. As employees are

bound to follow the norms and condition which is imposed by the superiors so that they are
motivated to work as team. In case of discrimination it results in not maintain the values which
the company is imposing on employees and also it affects the company status in market.
Theme 3: Outcomes adapted by organisation in context of discriminating employees at
workplace
Fox, Moroşanu and Szilassy (2015) suggested that the major outcomes which is adapted
by organisation in respect of motivating employees is relating to improving the languages and
communication skills among the employees. As through this aspects, company can reduces the
discrimination between the employees and also coordinate with each employees relating to work
accomplished. Thus, this factor is considered to be one of the major aspect through which
company can enhances the employees interest and also they are self motivated to attain the task
with perfection.
On the contradictory to Neupane (2015) the language and effective communication, the
gives liability to the employees to share their reviews and thought with superiors and also leaders
encourage the employees to bring new innovation at their work place. This reflect in giving the
rights to use the resources which is given by company in positive aspects. By this procedure, it
build more learning and team work among the employees and also they had given opportunity to
share their ideas and thoughts with other and also work as team to give better results.
Modood and Khattab (2016) interviewed that respect and trust is also another important
aspects through which employees are motivated to work in the premises. As discrimination can
be overcome if the employee are given proper respect and also they involves in all the decision
which is taken by company. Through the aspects of training which is given to all the employees,
results in motivated them to sustain their interest in the workplace for longer time period.
Training is to be organised in group and also in training, employees are motivate to discuss their
ideas relevant to that topic. Through this aspect, company can enhances the interest of employees
and also they are motivated to achieve the task in team.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research types Quantitative and qualitative Researcher will apply
Qualitative method to conduct
the research as through this
aspect they may conduct the

questionnaire method to gather
information through raising
questions.
Research Approach Inductive and deductive By using the Qualitative
method, researcher will choose
the inductive methods. AS
through this aspects they
gather the information from
internal sources (England,
2017).
Research Philosophies Positivism and Interpretivism Philosophies carried with
various ideas, thoughts and
beliefs which is used to
conduct the research. Thus in
this aspects, researcher will
use the Interpretivism methods
to conduct the research. By
this method they can interpret
the results from the collected
data.
Data collection Primary and Secondary
methods
Researcher will apply both the
methods as by preferring the
primary methods it results in
gathering the original
informations and by choosing
the secondary method it results
in taking the data and
information from secondary
sources (McGoldrick and
Arrowsmith, 2017).

Sampling Probabilistic and Non
probabilistic methods
Researcher in context of
sampling will prefer the non
probabilistic method in which
random sampling is used to
collect data from random,
people. In this research, the
data is collected from 20
employees of Sainsbury
company.
Data Analysis Thematic and Non thematic
method
Researcher will choose the
thematic methods by which
they present the data on the
bases of theme. Through this
aspects, the research look
presentable and also unique
from the other authors.
Research Limitation The limitation in research is
relevant to not having
appropriate resources to gather
as much information relevant
to the selected topic (Farkas,
England and Barton, 2017).
The limitation also faces in
respect of lack of availability
of time. Through this aspect it
restrict to inspect in such areas
where their is strict
government norms.

ETHICAL ISSUE
In respect of conducting the research, the ethical issue which is identified is relating to
signing the consent form from the participants to whom the data is collected. As this is the major
step which is to be adapted so that the interest of the employees is maintained at workplace.
Ethic are to be maintained in respect of undertaking the government norms which they imposed
at the time of gathering information from the restricted place (Smedley, 2017). As government
impose certain restriction in respect of not collecting the data from any such sector which is
covered under the government area. Thus, in such case ethics are to be maintained in respect of
not harming any person either mentally or physically by raising any such question which affects
their interest.
TIME PLAN
Activity 1th
Wee
k
2nd
Wee
k
3rd
Wee
k
4th
Wee
k
5th
Week
6th
Wee
k
7th
Week
8th
Week
9th
Wee
k
10th
Wee
k
11th
Wee
k
Selecting
Research
topic
Literature
review
Conduct
Research
Methodol
ogy
Data is
identified

Analysing
data
through
questionn
aire
procedure
Interprete
d the
collected
data
Analysing
the data
through
thematic
procedure
Check the
data and
informatio
n before
submitting
At last
submit the
checked
report
REFLECTION
From the above study I examined that I have enhanced my communication skills as
through conducting research I had to convey with various employees regarding the issue or any

activity which they faced at work premises. I also feel that I patiently handle all the reviews
which is raised by employees regarding their working criteria. As through this aspects, it helps in
gaining the data and information in wider ways and also interpret the data to get the accurate
results. I also realised that to conduct the research accurate activities are to be arranged in
systematic manner so that it results in saving time and cost to conduct the research in right
manner. Thus, the limitation which I faced in accomplishing the project is related to time
boundation. As I not managed the time accurately and that's the reason I not gather as much
information which provides more relevant information regarding the topic selected.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bender, K. A. and Elliott, R. F., 2018. Decentralised pay setting: A study of the outcomes of
collective bargaining reform in the civil service in Australia, Sweden and the UK.
Routledge.
Colella, A. and King, E. eds., 2018. The Oxford handbook of workplace discrimination. Oxford
University Press.
England, P., 2017. Comparable worth: Theories and evidence. Routledge.
Farkas, G., England, P. and Barton, M., 2017. Structural effects on wages: Sociological and
economic views. In Industries, firms, and jobs. (pp. 93-112). Routledge.
Fox, J. E., Moroşanu, L. and Szilassy, E., 2015. Denying discrimination: Status,‘race’, and the
whitening of Britain's new Europeans. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. 41(5).
pp.729-748.
Lain, D., 2016. Reconstructing Retirement: Work and Welfare in the UK and USA. Policy Press.
Marchiondo, L. A., Ran, S. and Cortina, L. M., 2018. Modern discrimination.
McGoldrick, A. E. and Arrowsmith, J., 2017. Discrimination by age: The organizational
response. In Ageism in work and employment. (pp. 93-114). Routledge.
Mihăilă, R., 2016. Female labor force participation and gender wage discrimination. Journal of
Research in Gender Studies. 6(1). pp.262-268.
Modood, T. and Khattab, N., 2016. Explaining ethnic differences: Can ethnic minority strategies
reduce the effects of ethnic penalties?. Sociology. 50(2). pp.231-246.
Neupane, R., 2015. Effects of coaching and mentoring on employee performance in the UK
hotel industry. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management, 2(2). pp.123-
138.
Nica, E. and Molnar, E. I., 2016. The detrimental impacts of gender segregation on women's
labor market chances. Journal of Self-Governance and Management Economics. 4(1).
p.135.
Rana, M. H. and Malik, M. S., 2017. Impact of human resource (HR) practices on organizational
performance: Moderating role of Islamic principles. International Journal of Islamic and
Middle Eastern Finance and Management. 10(2). pp.186-207.
Sia, S. K., Sahoo, B. C. and Duari, P., 2015. Gender discrimination and work engagement:
Moderating role of future time perspective. South Asian Journal of Human Resources
Management. 2(1). pp.58-84.
Smedley, K., 2017. Age Matters: Employing, Motivating and Managing Older Employees.
Routledge.
Online
Motivation. 2019. Online. Available through:
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/motivation>.