HR Q&A – Can Someone Be Discriminated Against Based On Accent?

Yes, discrimination based on national origin, including unfavorable treatment due to a person’s country of origin, accent, or ethnic appearance, is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This means that if an employee is treated poorly because of their accent or where they come from, it’s considered discriminatory. Furthermore, a manager making continuous remarks about an employee’s accent could be seen as harassment. It’s important to address and investigate these matters promptly.

While in rare instances an accent might impact job performance in a way that’s legally justifiable, these situations are exceptional. In most cases, the solution involves patience and seeking clarification from colleagues, customers, and supervisors rather than limiting someone’s career opportunities.