Accent Bias: Millions Anxious Over Professional Speech

Growing up in Manchester, Mia Tanswell initially gave her accent little thought until starting university. She recalls feeling her northern accent sounded less intellectual than others, especially in seminars. This sentiment is shared by many, as recent polling indicates accent bias remains a problem for numerous workers across Britain. The research reveals that approximately one in ten individuals experience anxiety or self-consciousness about their accent in high-stakes professional environments, such as business meetings.

Accent-related anxiety is particularly pronounced among those with Geordie and Cockney accents, with nearly 20% reporting these feelings. Additionally, around 5% of respondents believe their accent has cost them career opportunities like promotions or senior roles, with Brummies being most likely to feel this. Colleagues are also reported to mock or criticize accents, with West Country and Geordie speakers most frequently experiencing this.

Some professionals, like Lara Newman, founder of Common Ground, have even altered their own accents to advance in their careers, acknowledging that regional speech can imply class and education. While many like Martha Powell are proud of their Welsh accent, they still adapt it in networking situations. A significant percentage of Britons admit to softening their accent to sound more professional, with Cockneys and Scots being more prone to this.

Foreign accents can also present barriers, as experienced by Benjamin Aidomoan from the Czech Republic, who found job hunting challenging due to his accent. However, career experts like Charlotte Davies at LinkedIn note an encouraging trend towards hiring based on skills rather than background. Law firm Mills & Reeve is one example of a company consciously working to set aside accent bias and scrutinize capability, recognizing progress is still needed.