A new survey suggests that many people in the United Kingdom are altering their natural accents to sound more professional in the workplace. The survey, commissioned by Common Ground and involving 3,000 British adults, found that 13% of respondents have softened or modified their accent for professional purposes.

The phenomenon, often referred to as 'code-switching,' appears to be more prevalent among individuals with certain regional accents. Specifically, 23% of those with an East London accent reported modifying their speech, along with 20% of individuals with Scottish or Estuary English accents.

This practice has become a topic of discussion on social media platforms, where individuals share experiences of adjusting their language for professional settings. For instance, one TikTok user from inner-city London stated they had to "tone down" their slang and speech patterns when attending university, which naturally extended into their corporate interactions. Another user shared a strategy of adopting a "posh accent" for interviews, only to revert to their usual speech after securing the job.

Common Ground's research aimed to quantify 'accent anxiety' in the workplace. The survey revealed that one in 10 individuals have felt self-conscious or anxious during high-stakes meetings or interviews due to their accent. People with accents from Newcastle and East London were most likely to report this anxiety, at 19%, followed by Welsh speakers at 18%.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that some individuals have faced negative professional consequences due to their accent. Approximately 8% of respondents reported that their accent had been mocked by a colleague or manager. West Country speakers and Geordies were most likely to experience this, at 15% and 13% respectively. Critically, one in 20 respondents believe their accent has hindered their career progression, impacting opportunities for promotions, pay raises, or senior roles.

Lara Newman, Founder of Common Ground, commented on the findings, stating that recruitment and career development processes often appear to exclude those with regional accents, despite efforts to diversify professional backgrounds. She emphasized that the polling highlights "deep-seated problems within recruitment and career development."

Regional Variations in Accent Modification

The survey identified specific regional accent groups that most frequently modify their speech for professional contexts:

  • East London: 23%
  • Scottish: 20%
  • Estuary English: 20%
  • Manchester: 19%
  • Birmingham: 18%
  • Welsh: 16%
  • West Country: 14%
  • Yorkshire: 14%
  • Newcastle: 12%

Broader Implications of Accent Bias

The issue of accent bias in professional settings is not unique to surveys. Research from Harvard Business School, analyzing over 5,000 TED Talks, uncovered an 'accent penalty' where speakers with non-standard accents consistently received less engagement, such as fewer views and likes. This effect persisted even when accounting for the quality of the talk, the speaker's expertise, and the prominence of the stage. The Harvard study concluded that speakers with less common accents may receive less attention for their ideas compared to those with more standard accents, even when delivering equally strong content.