HSBC UK has become the first UK bank to introduce a significant change by offering British Sign Language (BSL) training for beginners to all its 23,000 employees. This initiative is part of the bank's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for customers and colleagues whose first or preferred language is BSL.
Partnership with RNID
The accredited e-learning course, developed by Signature—the awarding body for BSL qualifications—is brought to HSBC UK through its partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). The course enables colleagues to learn useful words and phrases in BSL, a language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Employee-Led Initiative
Christopher Stafford, Channels Support Manager at HSBC UK, spearheaded the launch of the training after welcoming a deaf colleague to his team. He aimed to create an inclusive environment by expanding his own communication skills. Stafford said: “The training is all about making communication easier for everyone. At least one in three of us are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. When a deaf colleague joined my team there was a communication gap, I wanted them to feel at home here, included and to feel part of the team.”
Industry Leadership
Harriet Oppenheimer, Chief Executive of RNID, praised HSBC's move: “We are delighted that HSBC has become the first UK bank to offer this BSL for beginners training to all their employees, and in partnership with RNID, is leading the way in creating a more inclusive environment. By providing beginner BSL training, HSBC is taking meaningful steps to ensure everyone feels welcome and included and is helping to break down the barriers faced by people who are deaf or have hearing loss. One in three people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, so it is vital that we all play a role in becoming more deaf-aware, both in the workplace and in everyday life. HSBC’s commitment marks an important milestone, and we hope to see many similar shifts across the sector and among other public-facing organisations in the years ahead.”
Commitment to Accessibility
Sally Williams, Head of Branch Network at HSBC UK, stated: “We are proud to be the first UK bank to offer BSL for Beginners training to our colleagues. It is important that no one faces unnecessary barriers, whether that is in everyday conversations, in our branches, or with colleagues. We are on a journey to improve our employees’ basic BSL communication and better understand the challenges customers who use BSL face. By raising awareness and working to improve the experiences of BSL users, we are taking real steps towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. We want to remove barriers to communication wherever possible.”
HSBC UK continues to work closely with RNID to improve accessibility through expert advice, training, and online resources, with more developments expected later this year. The bank recognises that this course does not replace the need for BSL interpretation but believes it will contribute to a more inclusive experience for colleagues and customers.
