Impact of Workplace Discrimination on Workforce: A Tesco Case Study

This report investigates the impact of workplace discrimination on workforce productivity, using Tesco as a case study. It begins with an introduction to equality and diversity in the workplace, emphasizing its importance. The report then presents a research proposal defining the research question, objectives, and questions, supported by a literature review on workplace discrimination. The methodology section explores qualitative and quantitative research methods, primary and secondary research, and data sampling techniques. Primary research is conducted using questionnaires to gather data from respondents. The report analyzes the findings and data, including a discussion of the ethical considerations and cost factors involved. Finally, it communicates the research outcomes and reflects on the effectiveness of the applied research methods, considering alternative methodologies and lessons learned, and concludes with recommendations for Tesco to promote equality and diversity.

Equality and diversity in
the workplace

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines research question or hypothesis supported by
literature review .........................................................................................................................3
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
.....................................................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for business research
project which consider cost, access and ethical issues................................................................7
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................15
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for intended audience............15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
P6 Reflect on the effective of research methods applied for meeting objectives of business
research project.........................................................................................................................15
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view to the outcomes..16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
In workplace equality and diversity mean a lot as well as it is all about respecting staff of
company for their individual age, gender, race, career experience, cultural background, skills,
belief and many more (Dhanani, Beus and Joseph, 2018). Although for an organisation it is
important to have diverse workforce as well as manger and leader have to ensure that they are
providing equal opportunity of every employee. This research is based on TESCO which is
British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer as well as it is third largest
retailer in world which measured by their gross revenue and 9th in the world by its revenue.
Respective organisation was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. They are serving in UK, India,
Ireland, south Korea, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. This research will going to discuss
several topics related to equality and diversity in workplace. Along with this, methods which are
suitable for conducting research will also going to be discuss. Furthermore, by using
questionnaire research will gather data and information related to the topic.
TASK 1
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines research question or hypothesis supported by literature
review
In workplace equality and diversity mean a lot as well as it is all about respecting staff of
company for their individual age, gender, race, career experience, cultural background, skills,
belief and many more (Rosenblat and et. al., 2017). TESCO is retail sector organisation who
implementing equality and diversity approaches within their working for conducting operations
in effective manner. Along with this, it will also result in making customer satisfy.
Background of Project:
Research project is based on influence of workplace discrimination on workforce productivity in
organisation. Thus, it is important for an organisation to provide equal opportunities to each and
every individual within business firm. Because this will help in motivating them and productivity
of company also get enhance in better manner.
Research Aim:
“To ascertain the influence of workplace discrimination on workforce productivity in a
company.” A case study on TESCO.
Research objectives:

 To determine the concept of workplace discrimination along with its impact over
organisational growth.
 To examine the benefits linked with elimination of workplace discrimination for the
company.
 To ascertain the relation between workplace discrimination and performance of the
workforce.
Research questions:
 What is workplace discrimination along with its impact over organisational growth?
 What are the benefits linked with elimination of workplace discrimination for company?
 What is the relation between workplace discrimination and performance of workforce?
Literature review
Determination of the concept of workplace discrimination along with its impact over
organisational growth
Discrimination in the workplace is supported on certain prejudices and arises when an workers is
treated unfavourably as of gender, sexuality, race, region, pregnancy and maternity as well as
disability. As per the view of Doyle A. (2020), workplace discrimination is an act and process of
treating employees in unlawful manner in term of hiring, discharge, promotion, referral and other
facets of employment on the basis of colour, religion, gender, nationality and race etc. In Tesco,
if the management of company treat an employee differently as they process different
characteristics to other individual of staff then the firm could be acting unlawfully (Dhanani,
Beus and Joseph, 2018). Direct discrimination at workplace arises when someone is get
treatment less favourably than other manpower. Instant discrimination can also arise when the
venture pay an employee less than other others for no good reason. Indirect discrimination arises
when certain legislation and law put such staff members at a drawback.
According to Benjamin T. (2020), workplace discrimination creates negative and
unfavourable impact over business in term of affecting its growth and develops in form of
employee motivation, commitment and loyalty. In Tesco, if the administration of firm treated
employees in unfavourable manner, they cannot perform their task in effective manner and it
also reduced their motivation level and the productivity level impact in negative. It unfavourable
influence over organisation performance and its productivity.

Examination of the benefits that connected with elimination of workplace discrimination for the
company
Eliminating discrimination from the company is a challenge but one that can develop the
options that would not have to battle former workers in court or make innovative manners to hire
applicants. As per the view of Mayhew R. (2020), the advantages with eliminating workforce
discrimination is to develop and equal employment opportunity policy, mitigate liability and
turnover etc. In Tesco, the management of the firm can make improvement in employee
engagement and improving their morale so that they can execute their work in effective manner
(Colella and King, 2018). Along with this, it also assists in reducing employee turnover and
motivating employees so that they can make their effective contribution in running of business.
Eliminating discrimination can mitigate the respective establishment’s possible liability for
accusations of inequitable employment activities. Discrimination elimination is a complex phase
in creating a working environment that values diversity.
Determination of the relation between workplace discrimination and performance of the
workforce
Workplace discrimination is an activity of providing treatment to employees of company in
unfavourable and unlawful manner. When employees of an organisation are treated in ineffective
manner then execution and performance of them affected in negative manner. As per the view of
Matthews K. (2019), discrimination occurs in working environment workforce of company
treated in different manner on the basis of race, age, gender and sexual orientation (Assari and
Moghani Lankarani, 2018). Due to which working ability and motivation level of manpower
influence in negative manner and they do not perform their task in effective manner and
accomplish their task in set time duration which influence the performance unfavourably.
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
In each and every research this section play essential when it comes for drawing
favourable outcomes. Thus, research methodology is one of the crucial aspect within overall
research because it provide assistance in determining the way to undertake effectual research. In
relation to this, there are several type of approaches as well as methodologies which aids in
execution of activities for accomplishing setted goals and objectives. Moreover, there are
generally two type of research system which assist in managing overall research activities in
better manner.

Qualitative Research
qualitative research is study that deals with elements related to human such as human
thoughts, ideologies and behaviour (Berthiaume and et. al., 2019). In addition to this, qualitative
research deals with non-numerical data as well as its basic focus is on “Why” instead of what in
relation to research subject matter. Outcomes of qualitative research form base for quantitative
research. Within this research, investigator will use qualitative research method for gathering
information and data.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is study that deals with numerical data as well as basic aim of this
research is to express facts and findings in relation of counts, measures and numbers. Moreover,
quantitative data can be utilise for constructing tables and graphs. Furthermore, these statistics
can utilise for finding inferences related to subject matter of research.
Primary Research
It is kind of research in that information and data will gathered directly from sources with
the assistance of several tools such as interview, questionnaire, survey, visit and many more
(Paradis and et. al., 2016). While gathering primary data investigator will contact to respondents
directly as within this chances of mistake or errors are less. Primary research carried out when
research is topic oriented as outcomes are generally precise.
Secondary Research
In secondary research investigator deal with the data which has been published in any
books, journals as well as published by Government agencies, business associations, trade unions
or any other statutory body. In addition to this, inferences drawn from secondary data is not
precise as primary research as here conclusion will be drawn on wide variety of data basis.
Data Sampling
It is an tool which use for selection, analysing and manipulation particular set of data for
identifying which followed within larger set if data examined (Ostrow and et. al., 2017). There
are two type of sampling method which investigator can use for selecting respondents i.e.,
probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling. Within this report, researcher will going to use
random sampling method which is part of probabilistic sampling method. Thus, for gathering
information and data related to the topic investigator will use 30 respondents.

TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for business research
project which consider cost, access and ethical issues.
Research is procedure which conduct for reaching final outcomes of selected topic. For
getting effective as well as productive information investigation play essential role in evaluating
task. Thus, research provide direction to those people who investigate for conducting practices to
determine final outcome or conclusion. In relation of the same, there are generally two type of
research i.e., primary and secondary (Blumenberg and Barros, 2018). These method will assist in
identifying and assembling information in proper manner for achieving desired outcomes.
Although, for gathering subject related content both primary and secondary research are
important.
Cost – Each and every organisation which can be small or large have their own effective
aspects. Although it is important for any business firm to ascertain initial investment for
conducting their management related operations in better manner. Although, for accomplishing
cost of business project it is important to calculate it in advance for instance researcher has
decided to invest 500 pounds for completing overall project. Thus, thinking in advance for
collecting information related to specific issue include cost as well as investigator have to
maintain cost for accomplishing complex task in better manner.
Ethical issues – For conducting business activities in better manner an investigator will
face various issues as well as such issues will stop investigator in executing entire research in
better manner (Ghauri, Grønhaug and Strange, 2020). Along with this, it is important for
investigator to keep their collected information confidential because it include personal data of
respondents. In case needed information is essential to be use then it is responsibility of
investigator to take permission from each and every respondents.
Questionnaire
1. Are you aware about the concept of workplace discrimination?
 Yes
 No
2. In your view point what are the major issues that rise due to workplace discrimination?
 Interpersonal conflicts

 Lack of employee motivation
 Resistance to change
 All of the above
3. Do you think workplace discrimination influence productivity of workforce in a company?
 Yes
 No
4. What are the strategies that TESCO can implement in order to resolve issue of workplace
discrimination?
 By managing open communication
 Provide training to employees
 Improve teamwork practices
 All of the above
5. What is the legislation against discrimination in the workplace in UK?
 Health and Safety act 1974
 Equality act 2010
 Working time regulation act 1998
6. What type of training is required in order to resolve issue of workplace discrimination?
 Training for teamwork
 Training to develop flexibility
 Transitional training
 All of the above
7. Do you have any suggestion for TESCO in order to resolve issues which may arise due to
workplace discrimination?
8. What are the strategies that TESCO can implement in order to promote anti-discrimination
practices at workplace?
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data
Theme 1: Concept of workplace discrimination
1. Are you aware about the concept of
workplace discrimination?
Frequency
 Yes 20

 No 10
Interpretation – After going through this graphical presentation it has been determine that most
of the people are aware about the concept of workplace discrimination. As there are total 30
respondents out of which 20 where saying that they are aware with the concept of workplace
discrimination. Whereas, remaining 10 were saying that they are not aware with the concept of
workplace discrimination. Thus, it is important for researcher to explain concept of workplace
discrimination to respondents in effective manner so that they will be able to answer other
questions in effective manner.
Theme 2: The major issues that rise due to workplace discrimination
2. In your view point what are the major
issues that rise due to workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
 Interpersonal conflicts 6
 Lack of employee motivation 12
 Resistance to change 8
 All of the above 4
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10 Column B

Interpretation – There are several issues which take place in organisation due to workplace
discrimination such as interpersonal conflicts, lack of employee motivation, resistance to change
and all these. In addition to this, major issue which TESCO is facing due to same reason is lack
of employees motivation as out of 30 respondents 12 were in favour of it. Along with this,
another major issue is resist to change as 8 respondents are in favour of it. Moreover, 6 people
were saying that interpersonal conflicts may rise as well as remaining 4 was saying that all these
are the issues which arise in TESCO due to workplace discrimination. Thus, it is important for
TESCO to take major steps which will assist them in reducing workplace discrimination and help
in conducting their work within effective manner.
Theme 3: Workplace discrimination influence productivity of workforce in a company
3. Do you think workplace discrimination
influence productivity of workforce in a
company?
Frequency
 Yes 20
 No 10
Interpersonal conflicts
Lack of employee motivation
Resistance to change
All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
6
12
8
4
Column B

Interpretation – Workplace discrimination result in influencing productivity of company. In
relation of TESCO out of 30 respondents 20 were saying that workplace discrimination have its
wide impact on productivity of respective business firm. Whereas, remaining 10 were saying
that, Workplace discrimination will not result in influencing productivity of company. Thus, it is
important for TESCO to take major steps which will assist them in reducing workplace
discrimination and help in conducting their work within effective manner.
Theme 4: Strategies that TESCO can implement in order to resolve issue of workplace
discrimination
4. What are the strategies that TESCO can
implement in order to resolve issue of
workplace discrimination?
Frequency
 By managing open communication 6
 Provide training to employees 12
 Improve teamwork practices 8
 All of the above 4
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10 Column B

Interpretation – There are several strategies which TESCO can implement within their working
for resolving issues related to workplace discrimination within organisation. These policies are
by managing open communication, providing training to employees, improving teamwork
practices and also by implementing all these. One of the major strategy is providing training to
employees as out of 30 respondents 12 were in favour of it. In addition to this, another strategy is
to improve workplace practices as it will also help in resolving issues related to workplace
discrimination and 8 respondents were in favour of same. Along with this, by managing open
communication company will be able to manage their discrimination issues as 6 respondents
vote for it as well as remaining 4 respondents were saying that TESCO have to implement each
and every strategy in their working within proper manner for managing activities without
discrimination in effective manner.
Theme 5: The legislation against discrimination in the workplace in UK
5. What is the legislation against
discrimination in the workplace in UK?
Frequency
 Health and Safety act 1974 4
 Equality act 2010 20
 Working time regulation act 1998 6
By managing open communication
Provide training to employees
Improve teamwork practices
All of the above
0
4
8
12
6
12
8
4
Column B

Interpretation – There are several legislation which designed by government of United Kingdom
in relation of workplace discrimination such as equality act 2010, working time regulation act
1998 as well as health and safety act 1997. out of these most important legislation for TESCO is
equality act 2010 as out of 30 respondents 20 were in favour of respective act. In addition to
this, 6 were taking about working time regulation act 1998 as 6 respondents were taking about it
and saying that company have to implement it as well as remaining 4 were in favour of Health
and Safety act 1978. Thus, from analysing overall data it has been determined that for TESCO
equality act will be beneficial as it help in conducting daily operations by following all the
guidelines in better manner.
Theme 6: Type of training is required in order to resolve issue of workplace discrimination
6. What type of training is required in order
to resolve issue of workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
 Training for teamwork 6
 Training to develop flexibility 12
 Transitional training 8
 All of the above 4
Health and Safety act 1974
Equality act 2010
Working time regulation act 1998
0
5
10
15
20
25
4
20
6
Column B

Interpretation – From above mention presentation it has been summarised that there are several
type of training which is needed for resolving issues related to workplace discrimination. As
most effective strategy will be training to develop flexibility as 12 respondents were in favour of
it, 8 are in transnational training, 6 in training for teamwork as well as 4 are in favour of all.
Thus, manager and leader of TESCO have to provide training related to develop flexibility.
Theme 7: Do you have any suggestion for TESCO in order to resolve issues which may arise
due to workplace discrimination?
Interpretation – It has been suggested to TESCO that their manager and leader have to take
major steps for resolving issues which arise due to workplace discrimination. Thus, it is
responsibility of manager and leader in respective organisation to provide equal opportunities to
each and every individual as per their job role in company. Along with this, their salary has to be
according to their job role in business firm. Such practices will provide assistance in reducing
chances of issues which occur due to workplace discrimination.
Theme 8: What are the strategies that TESCO can implement in order to promote anti-
discrimination practices at workplace?
Interpretation – It is important for an organisation to implement strategies which help them in
promoting anti-discrimination practices in TESCO. There are several strategies such as Identify
and prevent unconscious bias, put equality policies in place, mind your language, use objective
criteria, be proactive, watch out for indirect discrimination and many other. With the assistance
Training for teamwork
Training to develop flexibility
Transitional training
All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
6
12
8
4
Column B

of such strategies manager and leader of TESCO will be able to manage things in more effective
manner and activities related to discrimination also get resolve.
TASK 3
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for intended audience
From this entire research it has been analysed that discrimination conduct among
employees have negative impact on organisation as it result in conducting daily activities within
in appropriate manner (Wright and et. al., 2016). In addition to this, it is responsibility of leader
and manger in TESCO to implement such strategies which result in minimising negative impact.
These strategies are managing open communication, provide training to employees, improve
teamwork practices and many more. With the assistance of this TESCO will be able to manage
things in more effective manner as well as accomplish goals and objectives in required duration.
Apart from this, respective organisation have to implement Equality Act 2010 in their working
because it will provide assistance in minimising discrimination from their activities.
TASK 4
P6 Reflect on the effective of research methods applied for meeting objectives of business
research project
Research is the tool which provide assistance in gathering vital information as well as
data in effective manner which will assist in accomplishing solution of research problem or
issue. It aids researcher in finding conclusion of research topic by conducting overall activities.
In addition to this, for conducting this research investigator will gather information through
primary and secondary sources. As utilisation of primary and secondary data assist investigator
in conducting activities for gathering better outcomes. In addition to this, secondary data assist in
literature review section of research because it includes views as well as opinions of several
experts and authors. This will provide assistance to investigator in collecting relevant data for
taking decisions in effective manner (Solymosi and Bowers, 2018). Along with this primary data
is collected by researcher for particular reason as it include data collection through several
sources such as survey, questionnaire, interview and many more. Among these tools investigator
selecte questionnaire because it is one of the effective tool which will help in gathering data.
This assist in collecting required information from respondents and reach specific conclusion.

P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view to the outcomes
In research several alternative methods are available which investigator can use while
conducting research with motive of carrying out effective research for gaining suitable outcomes
and conclusion. In relation of this research I took questionnaire as appropriate technique of
gathering information and data of individual view as well as opinion for selected research topic.
Within this research investigator conduct survey and get questionnaire filled from respondents
behind which their aim is to collect relevant information and data. Apart from this, there are
some alternative ways also of gathering information such as interviews and observation for better
understanding of views and thoughts. It will provide assistance to investigator in gaining better
outcomes as well as through interview it will be easy for researcher to collect opinion of
respondents. Behind this purpose of investigator is to accomplish research aims and objectives
for gaining suitable results.
CONCLUSION
After going through overall discussion within this research it has been concluded that, for
an organisation it is important to minimise activities which create discrimination while
conducting daily operations. Because it result in demotivating employees when equal
opportunities will not provided to them. In workplace equality and diversity mean a lot as well as
it is all about respecting staff of company for their individual age, gender, race, career
experience, cultural background, skills, belief and many more. In addition to this, if company
have diverse workforce then they will able to bring some innovative ideas and thoughts which
help them in gaining better market opportunities. Moreover, when equal opportunities will be
provide to staff they will feel motivate and accomplish company's goals and objectives in better
manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Dhanani, L. Y., Beus, J. M. and Joseph, D. L., 2018. Workplace discrimination: A meta‐analytic
extension, critique, and future research agenda. Personnel Psychology. 71(2). pp.147-
179.
Colella, A. and King, E. eds., 2018. The Oxford handbook of workplace discrimination. Oxford
University Press.
Assari, S. and Moghani Lankarani, M., 2018. Workplace racial composition explains high
perceived discrimination of high socioeconomic status African American men. Brain
sciences. 8(8). p.139.
Dhanani, L. Y., Beus, J. M. and Joseph, D. L., 2018. Workplace discrimination: A meta‐analytic
extension, critique, and future research agenda. Personnel Psychology. 71(2), pp.147-
179.
Rosenblat, A. and et. al., 2017. Discriminating tastes: Uber's customer ratings as vehicles for
workplace discrimination. Policy & Internet. 9(3), pp.256-279.
Berthiaume, G. H. And et. al., 2019. Methods and apparatus to change a feature set on data
collection devices. U.S. Patent 10,242,017.
Paradis, E. and et. al., 2016. Design: selection of data collection methods. Journal of graduate
medical education, 8(2), pp.263-264.
Ostrow, L. and et. al., 2017. Web-based survey data collection with peer support and advocacy
organizations: Implications of participatory methods. Progress in Community Health
Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 11(1), pp.45-52.
Blumenberg, C. and Barros, A. J., 2018. Response rate differences between web and alternative
data collection methods for public health research: a systematic review of the
literature. International journal of public health, 63(6), pp.765-773.
Ghauri, P., Grønhaug, K. and Strange, R., 2020. Research methods in business studies.
Cambridge University Press.
Wright, A. L. and et. al., 2016. Qualitative Health Research Involving Indigenous Peoples:
Culturally Appropriate Data Collection Methods. Qualitative Report, 21(12).
Solymosi, R. and Bowers, K., 2018. The role of innovative data collection methods in advancing
criminological understanding. The Oxford handbook of environmental criminology,
pp.210-237.
Online
Doyle A. 2020. Types of Discrimination in the Workplace. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.thebalancecareers.com/types-of-employment-discrimination-with-examples-
2060914>.

Benjamin T. 2020. The Ways Discrimination Negatively Affects Businesses. [Online]. Available
Through: < https://smallbusiness.chron.com/ways-discrimination-negatively-affects-businesses-
36925.html>.

APENDIX
Frequency Table
1. Are you aware about the concept of
workplace discrimination?
Frequency
 Yes 20
 No 10
2. In your view point what are the major
issues that rise due to workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
 Interpersonal conflicts 6
 Lack of employee motivation 12
 Resistance to change 8
 All of the above 4
3. Do you think workplace discrimination
influence productivity of workforce in a
company?
Frequency
 Yes 20
 No 10
4. What are the strategies that TESCO can
implement in order to resolve issue of
workplace discrimination?
Frequency
 By managing open communication 6
 Provide training to employees 12

 Improve teamwork practices 8
 All of the above 4
5. What is the legislation against
discrimination in the workplace in UK?
Frequency
 Health and Safety act 1974 4
 Equality act 2010 20
 Working time regulation act 1998 6
6. What type of training is required in order
to resolve issue of workplace
discrimination?
Frequency
 Training for teamwork 6
 Training to develop flexibility 12
 Transitional training 8
 All of the above 4