Addressing Accent Bias in Recruitment: Effects of Discrimination Awareness Training for Future HR Professionals in France

Abstract

This chapter examines the impact of an accent discrimination awareness program on future recruiters within a transdisciplinary research project launched in 2022. Bringing together experts in applied linguistics and occupational psychology, the initiative explores cognitive and social mechanisms underlying accent biases and develops training tools for inclusive hiring practices. While research on hiring discrimination is extensive in English-language scholarship, the hexagonal (mainland) French context remains underexplored, particularly regarding future Human Resources (HR) professionals’ awareness of accentism and its integration into training. This study evaluates a short program designed to raise awareness of “foreign” accent bias among HR students. Conducted within a master’s program on Professional Development, Evaluation, and Risk Management at a French university, the three-hour workshop relied on the principles of social constructivism theory. Two dimensions were investigated: (1) the level of awareness among HR and occupational psychology students in France regarding accent discrimination and (2) the potential impact of a brief training session on enhancing their understanding and inclusive recruitment skills. Findings reveal that students’ perceptions of accents are shaped by personal experiences and implicit beliefs, particularly regarding diagnosticity and stability. While participants recognized the relevance of targeted training, they expected ready-to-use solutions for their future careers. Case studies provided valuable spaces for co-construction, emphasizing the need for collective negotiation of representations. By framing accent bias within linguistic profiling at work, this study highlights the necessity of integrating linguistic awareness into HR training to promote equitable hiring practices.