Accent Bias Persists in Workplaces, Survey Finds

A recent survey examining workplace attitudes toward accents has found that “accent bias” remains a pervasive problem in many organisations. The study, conducted by the Institute for Workplace Equality in partnership with the University of Leeds, surveyed over 3,000 employees across the United Kingdom and the United States, asking respondents to rate the perceived competence, friendliness, and trustworthiness of colleagues with various accents.

Results revealed that 62 % of participants believed that a strong regional or foreign accent could negatively influence hiring decisions, while 48 % felt that accent bias could affect promotion opportunities. The survey also highlighted that bias is most pronounced in sectors such as finance, law, and technology, where a “standard” accent is often equated with professionalism. Respondents noted that subtle cues—such as intonation or pronunciation—can lead to unfair assumptions about an individual’s communication skills or cultural fit, even when objective performance metrics remain unchanged.

The findings underscore the need for organisations to implement targeted diversity and inclusion training that addresses unconscious bias related to speech. By raising awareness and establishing clear, evidence‑based hiring and evaluation practices, companies can help ensure that employees are assessed on merit rather than the way they speak.