An Indian professional working in the United States has sparked a heated discussion online after revealing they were told to stay silent during meetings because colleagues “couldn’t understand” their accent. The 32-year-old, who has been with the same American client team for over a year, shared their experience on Reddit, explaining they felt “dismissed and insulted” after being abruptly told to stop speaking by a senior team member.
The incident unfolded when the Indian employee, performing their regular duties, requested a project update from a 55-year-old American colleague. Instead of a response, the colleague told them to refrain from speaking in meetings altogether, citing difficulties understanding the speaker’s Indian accent. The post described a deep sense of frustration, with the professional stating they had always strived to communicate clearly and had never previously received complaints about their speech.
The professional’s post quickly gained traction, igniting debate on workplace inclusivity and how accent discrimination continues to affect international professionals in global companies. Many online expressed sympathy, criticising the colleague’s behaviour as rude and unacceptable.
Netizens Call Out Accent Discrimination and Bullying
Responses ranged from supportive to critical. Some users encouraged the individual to file a formal complaint with human resources, labelling the incident as workplace bullying and harassment. Others suggested more practical solutions, such as enrolling in accent-neutralisation courses to reduce mother tongue influence, although many felt that blaming the speaker’s accent missed the real issue of workplace respect.
One commenter pointed out, “That’s extremely rude. If someone cannot understand, the polite approach is to ask them to repeat themselves or speak more slowly. Telling someone to stop speaking entirely crosses the line into discriminatory behaviour.”
Another highlighted the broader cultural challenge, noting that accents are part of global diversity and should not become a barrier to professional contributions. They argued that effective workplace communication is a shared responsibility, and dismissing colleagues because of their accent undermines inclusivity efforts.
Conversation Spurs Calls for Diversity Training in Workplaces
The viral post has since triggered a broader conversation about how companies can better prepare staff to work in diverse teams. Suggestions included mandatory diversity training to sensitise employees to different cultural backgrounds, fostering empathy, and building strategies for overcoming language barriers.
Experts in workplace inclusivity stress that addressing accent discrimination is crucial for companies operating in a global economy. Organisations risk alienating talented professionals and facing legal challenges if they fail to cultivate an environment where employees feel heard and respected, regardless of how they sound.
Ultimately, this case highlights the pressing need for stronger corporate policies supporting clear, respectful communication and celebrating linguistic diversity, ensuring all employees—regardless of accent—can participate fully and confidently in their professional roles.