Britons fear their accents could cost them career opportunities
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For some Britons, pronunciation quirks remain a workplace issue. A new survey has shown that people may feel anxious about their accent in situations where making a professional impression is key, according to the BBC.
The findings, drawn from a study conducted by the organization More in Common, indicate that so-called accent bias remains a challenge for British workers.
The survey polled more than 3,300 adults from England, Scotland, and Wales. Nearly one in ten respondents said they felt anxiety or self-consciousness about their accent in high-stakes professional settings, such as speaking at a business meeting.
Which accents cause the most anxiety
The highest levels of accent-related anxiety were recorded among people with a Geordie accent – common in the Newcastle area – and the East London accent known as Cockney. In both groups, the figure stood at 19%.
Among those with a Welsh accent, 18% of respondents reported such anxiety.
Meanwhile, around 5% of respondents believe their accent has already cost them a promotion, a pay rise, or a managerial position. The most likely to say this were Brummies – residents of Birmingham – where the figure reached 13%.
Britons are changing the way they speak
The problem is not limited to feelings of insecurity. According to the survey, 13% of Britons modify their speech to sound more professional. This is most common among people with Cockney and Scottish accents.
At the same time, respondents with a West Country accent were the most likely to report mockery or criticism from colleagues – 15%. Among Geordies, the figure was 13%.
Accent is linked to social background
The survey was commissioned by the organization Common Ground, which works on social cohesion and helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds find employment.
Its founder, Lara Newman, said that she herself once changed her accent to succeed in the workplace. According to her, she believed that a strong West Country accent could have been a barrier when applying to university or looking for a job.
"I\ think there is a problem in the sense that [an accent] implies a level of education or otherwise. It implies class," Newman explained.
She also noted that accent can be one of the barriers for people from disadvantaged backgrounds trying to find work.
Employers are increasingly focusing on skills
The study also notes that the barrier to employment may not only be regional accents but also foreign accents.
At the same time, the majority of employers say they strive to treat candidates and employees equally, regardless of their speech patterns.
LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davies believes the situation is gradually changing. According to her, hiring is increasingly based on skills, rather than experience or how well a person fits a certain image of professionalism.
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