Many workers continue to perceive "accent bias" as a significant workplace issue, according to recent polling. The survey suggests that approximately 10% of individuals in Britain experience anxiety or self-consciousness regarding their accent in high-stakes professional environments, such as business meetings.
The research, conducted by More in Common, surveyed over 3,300 adults across England, Scotland, and Wales. It found that accent-related anxiety in professional settings was most prevalent among those with Geordie (Newcastle) and East London (Cockney) accents, reported by 19% of respondents. Individuals with Welsh accents followed at 18%.
Furthermore, about 5% of those polled believed their accent had negatively impacted their career progression, leading to missed promotions, pay raises, or senior roles. "Brummies," or individuals from Birmingham, were the most likely to report this, with 13% feeling their accent had cost them opportunities.
Respondents with West Country accents reported the highest rate of having their speech mocked or criticized by colleagues, at 15%. Those with Geordie accents were second, with 13% experiencing similar criticism.
Common Ground, an organization focused on promoting social cohesion, commissioned the poll. Lara Newman, the founder of Common Ground, has over 30 years of experience in the construction, property, and built environment industries. She stated that she altered her own accent to advance her career, expressing realism about the potential challenges she might have faced otherwise.
"I think there is a problem in the sense that [an accent] implies a level of education or otherwise. It implies class," Newman said. Common Ground aims to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in entering the workforce, and Newman identified accent as one of the barriers they encounter.