Quarter of workers say they’ve been mocked by colleagues over their accent

A QUARTER of workers say they’ve been mocked by colleagues over their accent.

Researchers found a “hierarchy of accent” throughout school, university and the workplace — with almost half of us affected in all.

People from the North and Midlands — like Sheffield-born actor Sean Bean, 63 — were most likely to be targeted over how they sound, the study shows.

If left unchecked, the biases could lead to “discriminatory behaviour”, it said.

Of 3,500 people surveyed, 46 per cent had faced jibes over how they talk.

BBC English and French-accented English were well-liked, but those of Mancunians, Scousers and Brummies less so.

Ethnic minority accents ranked lowest.

Sir Peter Lampl, of the Sutton Trust, which funded the study, said: “It is disgraceful that people are mocked, criticised or singled out for their accents throughout their education, work and social lives.”