HSBC UK has announced that it will offer British Sign Language (BSL) training for beginners to all its 23,000 employees as part of its commitment to creating an inclusive environment. The bank stated that this initiative aims to support both customers and staff whose first or preferred language is BSL.
Partnership with RNID
The accredited e-learning course is brought to HSBC UK through its partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). It enables employees to learn useful words and phrases in BSL, helping to bridge communication gaps.
Employee-Led Initiative
Christopher Stafford, channels support manager at HSBC UK, spearheaded the launch of the training. He explained: "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-Wide Impact
Harriet Oppenheimer, chief executive of the RNID, highlighted the importance of such measures: "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, emphasised the bank's dedication to removing barriers: "It is important that no one faces unnecessary barriers, whether that is in everyday conversations, in our branches, or with colleagues." She added: "HSBC UK continues to work closely with RNID to improve accessibility through expert advice, training, and online resources and we are excited about more developments to come later in the year. We recognise that this course does not replace the need for BSL interpretation, but we believe this will contribute to providing a more inclusive experience for colleagues and customers."
