Glaswegian accents affect success of winning jobs

 I read the following press release yesterday: this was describing the results of a survey on accents and employability.
http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=6525

As we all know, discussing accents is an emotive subject for many people. An accent does identify where the speaker is from and class - which for many British people is key. But certain accents provoke prejudice, which I believe could be the cause of the results. My views on accents and where I rank them are different to these results, as I am sure readers would also agree. If I'm analysing the results, I might suggest that there was regional (southern) bias in the research: I doubt if anyone from the north would consider an Essex accent the most preferable accent to have.

 However, the whole issue of accents is interesting when considering 'employability'. In fact a number of well known presenters have said that their middle class accents was a disadvantage when working at the BBC where regional accents are now favoured. To a certain extent, it is 'horses for courses'; a Public School accent for a business with many people of that background would be an advantage, but wouldn't work so well, if they were targeting Liverpool clients. Yet the lovely Ashley in Michel Roux's "Service" demonstrated that he didn't need to speak RP to engage some very posh guests at a country hotel: his warm, endearing personality was a winning formula.

When I first taught in London, the headmistress of the prep school I was working at was incredibly posh. However, upon meeting her family, it transpired that they didn't present themselves in that way, and she had consciously 'lost' her scouse accent between Liverpool and Euston station, to advance her career. Another headmistress I have met: a dynamic, successful primary head, was told to 'get rid of her brummie accent if she wanted to get on' - and this was in Essex.

In the end, it is about being understood; speaking clearly, effectively and appropriately. A thick accent whether it be Public School posh; Glaswegian or Scouse is more difficult to understand than a voice with 'a little' accent, which still provides interest and individuality. However, poor grammar - of the Louise Rednapp/Alesha Dixon "You was great" variety, does not give a good impression; rather it shows the person is lazy and poorly educated. Would I employ them - or even buy from them: no. Would I employ or buy from someone who has a Glaswegian accent - yes, if they spoke clearly, with good grammar!