Marvin OnumonuHSBC UK has become the first UK bank to offer British Sign Language (BSL) for Beginners training to all 23,000 employees.
The accredited e-learning course, developed by Signature and delivered through a partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, provides colleagues with the chance to learn useful BSL words and phrases.
Christopher Stafford, channels support manager at HSBC UK, led the launch of the training.
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.”
The new training follows the introduction of the Understanding Hearing Loss course earlier in 2024, which uses simulations of office and branch environments.
The course has helped colleagues identify their own hearing loss and take action, including using RNID’s free online hearing check.
Harriet Oppenheimer, chief executive of RNID, said: “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.”
Oppenheimer added: “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.”
Sally Williams, head of branch network at HSBC UK, said: “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.”
Williams added: “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 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.”
