A recent survey has highlighted that “accent bias” is a prevalent issue in professional environments across the UK, affecting workers’ confidence and career progression. The study, carried out by More in Common, surveyed over 3,300 adults across England, Scotland, and Wales. It reveals that about 10% of Britons feel self-conscious about their accents in situations like business meetings.
Regional Accent Anxiety
The anxiety linked to regional accents is particularly notable among individuals with Geordie and Cockney accents, with 19% reporting self-consciousness. Welsh accents follow closely behind at 18%. Some respondents also perceive their accent as a barrier to career advancement. Of these, 5% believe that their accent may have hindered promotion opportunities, with people from Birmingham feeling this the most strongly (13%).
Experiencing Accent Bias
The poll identifies people with West Country and Geordie accents as the most likely to have faced criticism or mockery from colleagues, at rates of 15% and 13%, respectively. Common Ground, which commissioned the survey, focuses on promoting social cohesion and supporting people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its founder, Lara Newman, cited accent as a potential barrier to career progression, sharing her personal experience of altering her accent in the workplace.
Adapting Accents
Modifying one’s accent to appear more professional is not uncommon, as 13% of those surveyed have changed their speech. This adaptation is more frequent among individuals with Cockney and Scottish accents. Martha Powell from Newport appreciates her Welsh accent but admits to adapting it in different settings to avoid perceived assumptions. Meanwhile, foreign accents can also pose challenges, as noted by Benjaimin Aidomoan, originally from the Czech Republic, who experienced difficulties in job-hunting despite believing that most employers focus on personal qualities over accents.
Employer Perspectives on Accent
Although accent bias persists, some employers are taking steps to mitigate it. Charlotte Davies of LinkedIn notes that hiring practices are shifting towards skill-based assessments. Sian Jackson from Mills & Reeve mentions that her firm is promoting diverse local hires and assessing candidates on capability rather than accent, acknowledging that while progress has been made, further work is needed.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.