Workplace Options and Accents International Partner to Break Down Communication Barriers and Strengthen Inclusive Workplaces

In today’s increasingly globalized workforce, companies gain access to unique perspectives and skills that drive innovation, enhance problem-solving, and increase business value. While the benefits of a globalized workforce are invaluable, misunderstandings caused by heavily accented speech can limit these benefits. English pronunciation can be difficult. It’s not the person. It’s the language, and it often limits an employee’s ability to do their best work — costing U.S businesses over $12,000 per employee annually. Workplace Options (WPO) and Accents International have partnered to address these challenges, fostering inclusive and collaborative environments where all employees can thrive.

“We are focused on helping our clients advance authentic and impactful employee engagement and inclusive communication. Authenticity is at the heart of workplace wellbeing – authenticity drives growth, connection, and collaboration,” said Alan King, WPO President and CEO. “Our consultants and coaches understand how to build workplaces where trust, respect, and resilience flourish – environments where employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to show up as their authentic selves. Inclusive communication is not just a concept – it is a cornerstone of engagement, collaboration, and business success.”

WPO believes that the key to successful workplaces lies in a culture of inclusion and psychological safety. This collaboration with Accents International, a company specializing in online accent reduction classes for both individuals and organizations, aims to bridge communication gaps caused by language barriers. By offering tailored support for both native and non-native English speakers, organizations can foster an inclusive and engaged environment where every voice is valued and heard.

The partnership provides organizations with a comprehensive approach to mitigating accent bias and improving communication skills. Through inclusive listening training, employees learn to engage with kindness, while accent reduction enables team members to acquire the sounds in English that don’t exist in their first language – enhancing clarity and confidence while maintaining their unique cultural identity. Together, these initiatives build stronger, more inclusive teams that drive productivity and innovation.

Judy Ravin, president and co-founder of Accents International, expands on the value of these programs, “WPO’s clients are trying to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time. These companies are developing new products and services that are making an appreciable difference in our lives and in the global economy…and they’re doing this in highly competitive markets. A diverse workforce brings different ways of approaching new opportunities and ways to solve problems. Every idea, every contribution, every voice counts.”

She further highlights how the partnership strengthens WPO’s ability to empower clients to drive innovation in their industries: “This partnership contributes to WPO’s exceptional suite of offerings that allow their clients to develop their workforce in ways that maximize employee engagement, hiring, onboarding, and talent development practices. With Inclusive Listening: Tuning Your Ear to Accents® and Powerful Pronunciation®, ideas don’t get lost. Solutions don’t get sidelined. People are empowered to collaborate, innovate, and give all they have. These programs give WPO’s clients an added competitive advantage that helps them achieve industry leadership.”

As a global company, with more than 1300 employees worldwide, WPO recognizes that every team member brings unique skills and valuable contributions. WPO is committed to breaking down communication barriers, unlocking the full potential of every individual, fostering a more inclusive and innovative workforce.

Bridging Communication Gaps: How Inclusive Communication Can Transform Multinational, Multicultural Teams

To further address these challenges, The Diversity Movement, a Workplace Options company, in collaboration with Accents International, has developed a white paper titled Bridging Communication Gaps: How Inclusive Communication Can Transform Multinational, Multicultural Teams. By exploring strategies such as cultural awareness, accent reduction training, and inclusive listening, this resource demonstrates how to reduce communication barriers, improve team cohesion, and enhance organizational productivity.

Access the white paper here to uncover actionable strategies for fostering inclusion and improving team collaboration.

About Accents International:

Accents International is dedicated to creating a world where everyone is heard®. Since 1998, Accents International has helped thousands of professionals build bridges of communication in a globalized economy where English is the common language, though not everyone’s first language. It’s three workforce empowerment programs, Powerful Pronunciation®, Powerful Pronunciation®: Training-the-Trainer, and Inclusive Listening: Tuning Your Ear to Accents® give talented professionals communication tools needed to fully participate, share knowledge, collaborate, and lead their organizations to greater success. Accents Internationals’ programs are championed at NATO, top-tier Fortune 500 companies, and leading health systems.

About Workplace Options:

Founded in 1982, Workplace Options (WPO) is the largest independent provider of holistic well-being solutions. Through customized programs, and a comprehensive global network of credentialed providers and professionals, WPO supports individuals to become healthier, happier, and more productive both personally and professionally. Trusted by 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies, WPO delivers high-quality care digitally and in-person to more than 88 million people across 127,000 organizations in more than 200 countries and territories.

Contact: Jennifer Dart, Senior Corporate Communications Manager Jennifer.Dart@workplaceoptions.com