If you are one of the one percent of the population who stammers, work can be a place of dread. A stammer can mask your true skills and reduce your chances of promotion, especially if your employer does not understand the nature of your stammer. You can also be at risk of harassment and discrimination.

But help is at hand for employers and their employees who stammer. The British Stammering Association will be launching two brochures in London on October 22, one giving employers practical advice on employing a person who stammers, and one giving people who stammer practical help with employment issues.

"In general, most employers are sympathetic to people who stammer, but our members tell us that employers can cause distress because they do not know how to deal with stammering at work or in a job interview," said BSA director Norbert Lieckfeldt.
"Many employers think they handle these situations well, but they can fail to recognise when a person is disguising their stammer or when there is a real fear of speaking. This means some talented people are being held back due to ignorance while others are pushed forward before they are ready."

A recent employment tribunal case could have been avoided if a manager had not made an employee who stammered face the ordeal of speaking in front of a group.

The launch will be held at Barbers-Surgeons Hall, Monkwell Square, Wood St, London EC2 on October 22 2001, 4pm to 6pm.

Norbert Lieckfeldt, guest speakers, BSA staff and members will be available for interview after 5.15pm.

The new brochures are available from the British Stammering Association
15 Old Ford Road, London, E2 9PJ
Tel: 020 8983 1003, or visit the website: www.stammering.org

Note to radio interviewers: People who stammer in a controlled way can make good interviewees.

Facts about stammering: One percent of the population stammer; stammering is NOT caused by a nervousness or uncertainty; stammering affects each person differently.

Note to editors: The British Stammering Association is a registered charity offering a helpline for support and information on contacting speech language therapists, courses, and self-help groups. It advises employers on best practice and supports employees who stammer. The leaflets have been produced with the help of the Community Fund.

Dated: October 22nd, 2001

See also:
Press facts and figures
BSA Employment Campaign