TechHR
ex
L&D
UNPLUGGED
Sphere
About Us • Contact Us
People Matters ANZ
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
People Matters Logo
Login / Signup
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

  • HotTopic
    HR Folk Talk FutureProofHR
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations BigInterview
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Write For Us

Follow us:

Privacy Policy • Terms of Use

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

People Matters Logo
  • Current
  • Top Stories
  • News
  • Magazine
  • Research
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Login / Signup

Categories:

  • HotTopic
    HR Folk Talk FutureProofHR
  • Strategy
    Leadership Csuite StrategicHR EmployeeRelations BigInterview
  • Recruitment
    Employer Branding Appointments Permanent Hiring Recruitment
  • Performance
    Skilling PerformanceMgmt Compensation Benefits L&D Employee Engagement
  • Culture
    Culture Life@Work Diversity Watercooler SheMatters
  • Tech
    Technology HR Technology Funding & Investment Startups Metaverse
Does accent bias persist in your office? Here's how to protect your international employees

Story • 24th May 2024 • 5 Min Read

Does accent bias persist in your office? Here's how to protect your international employees

Employee RelationsCultureDiversityHR AnalyticsBehavioural Assessments#HRCommunity

Author: Gabriela Paz Y Miño Gabriela Paz Y Miño
1K Reads
Accent prejudice persists in the workplace: people who speak differently from the norm in a particular place are unfairly judged or stereotyped. These generalisations provoke anxiety and undermine opportunities.

It may not be overt criticism or mockery, because that would not be allowed in any office. However, prejudices stemming from the accent of international employees persist in work environments and are unfortunately the basis for many decisions.

What does a certain way of speaking or accent affect professional ability and performance? Nothing really, but many people still see someone as less capable of performing a certain function or exercising leadership because of a trait as anecdotal as an accent.

The way people speak has a significant influence on how others perceive them. A crucial aspect is accent, which plays a key role in people's impression of a speaker.  These distinctions often lead to value judgments about the speaker, including assumptions about his or her geographical origin, level of education, and social class.

Word choice, intonation, and accent can be indicators of various social and personal attributes. An accent can reveal something about a person's origin, but it can also be misleading. Upon hearing an accent, listeners often make snap judgments about the speaker. These judgements may include assumptions about geographic origin, education, and social class. But they are just that: assumptions (and generalizations).

Also read: Article: Inspiring inclusion to foster innovation & ignite growth — People Matters Global

A study by Sutton Trust, a foundation dedicated to improving social mobility in the UK, examined the impact of accent bias on social mobility and how people are perceived by the way they speak. One of the key findings is that the hierarchy of accent prestige exists in the UK, with Received Pronunciation (RP) dominating in positions of authority, despite less than 10% of the population speaking it.

The research examined the experiences of three groups in the UK: 17-18-year-old university applicants, 18-21-year-old university students, and young professionals aged 21-24. It found that "accent prestige" was granted to those who spoke the "Queen’s English," which is a posh, standard form of British English associated with higher social status.

Conversely, authors identified accent bias against individuals from industrial cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham. These cities are typically seen as working-class areas, and their local accents are often perceived negatively.

Furthermore, the study discovered that ethnic minority accents, specifically those of Afro-Caribbean and Indian backgrounds, also faced bias. This means that individuals with these accents were likely judged unfairly or stereotyped based on how they spoke, reflecting broader issues of social and racial discrimination.

Accentual prejudice persists also in the United States as well, a Bates College study has shown.  The authors of this research conducted a case study in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, an area where there is significant discrimination against people with African accents, stereotyped as African refugees and immigrants.

Among people's stereotypes and assumptions about this group of people are that people with African accents have low educational attainment, poor job skills, low intelligence, and low confidence in the workplace. These are ideas that hurt how they are perceived and treated.

The study found that non-white people who have difficulty with English are often perceived as unemployable. This perception further marginalizes these people, limiting their employment opportunities and reinforcing negative stereotypes. The study revealed how accent discrimination affects African immigrants and non-white individuals with barriers to their professional development.

Anxiety and bias based on accent is observed at different stages of life, affecting self-esteem and opportunities for career success. Accent bias affects certain communities at a very early age. According to a report by the Accent Bias in Britain project (2022), 30% of university students and 29% of university applicants have been teased or criticized because of their accents, and 25% of professionals report similar treatment at work. This problem is particularly acute for people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. According to the research, 29% of senior managers from working-class families were teased in the workplace, compared to 22% of those from more affluent backgrounds.

The study, entitled "Speaking Up", found that accents such as Received Pronunciation (BBC English), French-accented English, and the standard varieties from Scotland, America, and Southern Ireland are perceived with high prestige. In contrast, the accents of ethnic minorities (Afro-Caribbean, Indian) and those of working-class industrial cities (Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham) are the worst rated. Despite its rarity, BBC English dominates positions of authority.

Accent prejudice often cause anxiety and shyness in the victims. This happens particularly among younger people. The research reveals that 24% of respondents worried about the impact of their accent on their success, rising to 33% among university students. The testimonies of 178 university students interviewed indicate pressures to alter their accent, adding to the cognitive and psychological burdens.

Also read: Article: How to tailor rewards for a diverse and multigenerational workforce in a remote setting — People Matters Global

Highlighting The Value Of Diversity:

The role of HR professionals in detecting and combating this type of behaviour in the workplace is crucial, but how can this be done when prejudices are often unconscious? Here are some keys that can help:

  • Have International Employees Share Expertise: Encourage international employees to share their unique perspectives and knowledge. Their diverse backgrounds can enrich the workplace.
  • Highlight The Value Of Diversity: Emphasize the positive impact that diverse linguistic backgrounds bring to the organization. Celebrate the richness of different accents and languages.
  • Culturally Educate Employees: Provide intercultural training for all employees. Understanding cultural nuances can reduce bias and promote empathy.
  • Create Opportunities To Hear Accents In Social Settings: Arrange social events where employees can interact informally and appreciate each other’s accents.
  • Don’t Only Rely On Verbal Communication: Encourage written communication as well. Written exchanges can help mitigate accent bias.
  • Challenge Others To Explore Bias: Foster open conversations about biases, including accent bias. Encourage self-awareness and learning.
  • Implement Diversity Programs: Develop programs that actively promote diversity and inclusion. These can include workshops, mentorship, and leadership development.
  • Encourage Inclusive Communication: Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves, regardless of their accent.
Read More

Did you find this article helpful?


You Might Also Like

Return to office: the legalities

STORY • 30th Apr 2025 • 3 Min Read

Return to office: the legalities

Employee Relations#EmploymentLaw
Employees tired of subpar workplace practices

STORY • 14th Apr 2025 • 4 Min Read

Employees tired of subpar workplace practices

Employee Relations
The "Great Resignation" 3 years down the road

STORY • 9th Apr 2025 • 3 Min Read

The "Great Resignation" 3 years down the road

Employee Relations
NEXT STORY: How does leadership burnout affect organisations?

Trending Stories

  • design-thinking-hr

    New tech incoming: how do you get people to accept it?

  • design-thinking-hr

    Why people metrics matter more than ever

  • design-thinking-hr

    ChatGPT Walks It Back — AI Giants Race Ahead

  • design-thinking-hr

    Skype is dead: Did Microsoft's leadership let a billion-doll...

People Matters Logo

Follow us:

Join our mailing list:

By clicking “Subscribe” button above, you are accepting our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Company:

  • About Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Become a sponsor
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Contact:

  • Contact Us
  • Feedback
  • Write For Us

© Copyright People Matters Media Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Get the latest Articles, Insight, News & Trends from the world of Talent & Work. Subscribe now!
People Matters Logo

Welcome Back!

or

Enter your registered email address to login

Not a user yet? Lets get you signed up!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

People Matters Logo

Welcome! Let's get you signed up...

Starting with the absolulte basics.

Already a user? Go ahead and login!

A 5 digit OTP has been sent to your email address.

This is so we know it's you. Haven't received it yet? Resend the email or then change your email ID.

Let's get to know you better

We'll never share your details with anyone, pinky swear.

And lastly...

Your official designation and company name.