Published: 10:27 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 10:41 BST, 30 August 2026
From the approachable Geordie twang to the instantly recognisable Edinburgh lilt, the UK is home to some of the most distinctive accents in the world.
But a new survey reveals that many Brits are toning down their accents – in the hopes of being perceived as more professional at work.
The survey, commissioned by Common Ground, asked 3,000 British adults about their experiences in the workplace.
Overall, 13 per cent of respondents said they have softened or modified their accent to sound more professional.
However, that figure rises to 23 per cent of those with an East London accent, and 20 per cent of those with a Scottish or an Estuary English accent.
The news will come as no surprise to many Brits, who often take to social media to discuss their accents.
'I'm from inner city London, and when I went to uni, I had to really tone down on the slang and how I spoke. Naturally, that translated into corporate as well,' said @yimmz_ on TikTok.
And @pepesilv1a said: 'I always do interviews in a posh accent and when I get the job I watch their face drop as I speak with my usual accent lol.'
A new survey reveals that many Brits are toning down their accents – in the hopes of being perceived as more professional at work
Common Ground carried out the survey to understand the extent of 'accent anxiety' in the workplace.
The results revealed that one in 10 have felt self-conscious or anxious about speaking in high-stakes meetings or interviews.
People with accents from Newcastle and East London are the most likely to say this (19 per cent), followed by Welsh speaker (18 per cent).
Meanwhile, eight per cent of respondents even said they have had their accent mocked by a colleague or manager.
In particular, West Country speakers (15 per cent) and Geordies (13 per cent) are the most likely to be targeted.
