An Indian man working in the United States has reported feeling "dismissed and insulted" after being told to stop speaking during meetings because of his accent. The 32-year-old, who is originally from India, shared his experience on Reddit, sparking a widespread discussion about workplace discrimination, communication barriers, and cultural sensitivity.
In his Reddit post, the man explained that he works in the U.S. with a team where everyone else is American. During a recent meeting, he asked a 55-year-old team member for a project update, a routine part of his responsibilities. The team member responded by telling him to stop speaking in meetings because he couldn't understand his accent. The Indian employee described his request as simple and straightforward, only asking for a progress update and accompanying pictures.
The man said this was the first time in his professional career that he had been told to stop speaking by a team member. He expressed feeling "dismissed and insulted," emphasizing that he has always strived to communicate clearly and professionally. He also noted that no one else had ever made such a comment in the year he had been working with the same client. Following the incident, the man's manager instructed him to route all future communication with the team member through the manager.
The Reddit post quickly went viral, drawing a range of reactions. Many users expressed sympathy and outrage, with some calling the colleague's behavior rude, unprofessional, and potentially discriminatory. Some users suggested that being told to stop speaking constitutes workplace bullying. One user shared that typically, if someone has difficulty understanding, they might ask the speaker to slow down, but telling someone to stop speaking altogether is not normal behavior.
Others shared similar experiences of navigating communication challenges in multicultural work environments. Some acknowledged that accents can sometimes create communication barriers but emphasized that global workplaces should offer support systems like communication coaching or inclusive practices, rather than silencing individuals. One user suggested using a shared document where questions and answers can be written out.
Some responses advised the man to seek feedback from other colleagues to assess if his accent was genuinely difficult to understand for native speakers. One user suggested joining a spoken English class to neutralize his accent. Others recommended filing a complaint with HR.
The incident highlights the importance of fostering inclusive and respectful communication in diverse workplaces. It raises questions about how to address communication barriers effectively without making employees feel marginalized or devalued. As workplaces become increasingly global, it is crucial to promote cultural sensitivity, empathy, and adaptability to ensure that all employees feel heard and respected.
