Accent bias affects British workers in professional settings

A recent poll of more than 3,300 adults across England, Scotland, and Wales indicates that accent bias remains a significant issue in British professional environments. Research conducted by More in Common found that one in 10 people in Britain feel anxious or self-conscious about their accents during high-stakes professional settings, such as business meetings.

Anxiety levels varied by region, with Geordies and those with Cockney accents reporting the highest rates of workplace anxiety at 19%, followed by Welsh accents at 18%. Approximately 5% of respondents believed their accent had negatively impacted their career progression, specifically regarding promotions, pay rises, or senior roles, with individuals from Birmingham reporting the highest rate of this sentiment at 13%.

The study, commissioned by the social cohesion organization Common Ground, also highlighted instances of mockery. Respondents with West Country accents reported the highest rate of being criticized or mocked by colleagues at 15%, followed by Geordie accents at 13%.