Discriminination in the workplace - By speaking as my colleagues put it "posh"

ceridwen

I would be inclined to think in terms of using shorter words with them and possibly throwing in slang words (provided you can remember to speak normally outside work).

As for the manners - they will just have to accept that you have good manners. They expect you to accept their bad manners - and thats much worse!

Basically - just carry on doing your job well and they have no genuine cause for complaint. They just dont like you because you are different to them - well...thats their tough luck. They knew what they were getting at the interview. The person/people who interviewed you ignored the fact that you are well-spoken and have good manners and took you on on the basis of your knowledge and experience.

maninthestreet

There is potential discrimination based on race/nationality here - the OP, from England, working in Wales, is being ridiculed for having an accent that other employees dislike.

DVardysShadow

Cooky, I don't know if you would agree, but I would be inclined to say that you are who you are and it is legitimate not to want to change.

Tell him that as an observation, the point is valid, but as a complaint, it is out of order. If people don't like it, he should be making them accept it. It is his problem, not yours.

Chinkle

You have only been there seven weeks, hardly got your feet under the table yet. From what you say, sounds like some people have formed a first impression of you based on your accent. I would ignore the comments about this, but try to get to know your colleagues better so they can see the person behind the voice isn't snobbish, or perceiving themselves as better than them.

If the company generally runs on bullying and intimidation you can try and rise above this by being neither, but in long run it will grind you down as it saps energy that should be spent focusing on doing your job. Stick with it for a while, but if you find it's a company wide issue then best off moving on.

onlyforboards_2

Chinkle wrote: »

You have only been there seven weeks, hardly got your feet under the table yet. From what you say, sounds like some people have formed a first impression of you based on your accent. I would ignore the comments about this, but try to get to know your colleagues better so they can see the person behind the voice isn't snobbish, or perceiving themselves as better than them.

Exactly!
Don't change anything! Mention to your fellow workers that you have been told people find the way you speak uncomfortable and you are unhappy to hear this as you just want to get along with everyone and everyone is different
If you change your voice you are letting yourself be bullied and it will continue.
Seriously, people in South Wales can cope with a well spoken person! You may be dealing with racism and people with class issues. If you are open and raise your concerns that this is happening you cannot be bullied and people will come round to your way of doing things in time.

zzzLazyDaisy

maninthestreet wrote: »

There is potential discrimination based on race/nationality here - the OP, from England, working in Wales, is being ridiculed for having an accent that other employees dislike.

If by 'talking posh' they really mean 'speaking with an English accent' then yes that's true.

I understood from the OP that it was as much her manner and the way she puts things across that is being criticized, but it might be helpful if OP clarifies this.

maninthestreet

OP, tell them you don't have a posh accent - it's what English sounds like when it's spoken properly.

Bobl

I wonder if it actually the way you speak to them, rather than the accent. Perhaps you should just try to relax a bit more and not be so formal all the time. Only you can decide.

PasturesNew

I love working with the Valley people, their accents are fantastic to hear and they're such open people.

I am English ... and it's been said on many an occasion that I am posh.

It may be that they have other issues with your management style, but they're just voicing it as the "she's posh" reason, for want of something more specific or confrontational to say.

Maybe the OP is feeling a bit "new" and trying to do a good job and it's just been seen a little bit "not how we used to do things", so the posh part has become the focus.

People don't like change, a new manager is change ... in uncertain times people will gaggle together at the slightest change and it will have to come down to something ... an accent is as good as any.

If the OP didn't sound posh, they'd have used some other words to explain what they're probably saying which is: "The TV says there's redundancies everywhere, we are suspicious of all change and new managers; we feel insecure and watched/judged."

No suggestions, just trying to put my 2p in.

DrScotsman

I say ignore them and if they dismiss you, take them to the cleaners for discrimination.

Assuming whoever hears you out isn't as culturally secluded as these people are, they will probably instantly agree that you aren't talking "posh", just "English" (and "well").