How accents affect hiring decisions?

Unfortunately, it does. While it’s illegal to discriminate against race or national origin, including accents, the lines are a bit blurred. In fact, according to research by the law firm Peninsular, 80 percent of employers admit to making hiring decisions based on accents.

Does accent matter in interview?

If you have a slight accent, it won’t be a problem in your interview. I know you may be self-conscious about the way you speak, and you may have gotten some comments about it in the past, but as long as it isn’t interfering with listener comprehension you should be okay.

Can you not hire someone because of their accent?

Accent Rules An employer may decide not to hire or promote an employee to a position that requires clear oral communication in English if the employee’s accent substantially affects his or her ability to communicate clearly.

Is it discrimination to not hire someone with an accent?

Denial of employment opportunity because of a person’s accent is unlawful discrimination on the basis of national origin unless the employer can show a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason. Discrimination based on accent can be a “cover” for more overt discrimination based on national origin.

Can I speak another language at work?

In general, employers must allow employees to speak their native language during work hours, unless it interferes with reasonable and necessary business operations.

Can a business hire an employee with a foreign accent?

Generally, businesses can base employment decisions on accent if strong verbal communication in English is required to perform the job — and the employee’s foreign accent interferes with his or her ability to communicate in English. Jobs that may meet these requirements include:

How does speaking with a non-native accent affect career progression?

Research has shown that speaking with a non-native accent is linked to career possibilities and progression, as it can influence managers’ perceptions of speakers’ fluency, and expectations concerning non-native speakers’ performance abilities.

Should you change your accent for the job market?

But while the evidence suggests jobseekers would be better off in the job market by softening their accents, experts are wary of advising them to do so. Francesca Turner, a National Careers Service adviser, says jobseekers shouldn’t necessarily look to ditch their accent, but tells people to stay clear of using regional slang in interviews.

Is it illegal to discriminate against people with foreign accents?

If these conditions are not met, it’s illegal to discriminate against applicants or employees based on their foreign accents. In today’s increasingly diverse workforce, it’s common for businesses to have employees who speak other languages in addition to English. And in some workplaces, this has caused problems.