The 'Corporate Accent' Is Taking Off On TikTok — And It Will Make You Shudder

If you’ve looked at TikTok recently, you’ve probably shuddered when you heard this grating voice.

Created by comedian and actor Lisa Beasley, “Corporate Erin” is an iconic character that skewers the inhumane way that institutions can talk to employees with an upbeat voice. In TikTok videos, Corporate Erin traps you in a one-on-one with her as she speaks in long-winded monologues filled with corporate words salads that mean nothing.

As the “manager for the managerial logistics of management at McManagement,” Corporate Erin is going to go ahead and get started on telling you the worst news of your life with a smile, “Okayyy?”

In one of her most popular videos, Corporate Erin explains why she called you in for a meeting today and then proceeds to waste your time saying everything about unclear “deliverables” and a “rollout.”

If you suddenly lose your entire family, she will not acknowledge the gravity of your loss, but she will tell you that under the bereavement policy, immediate family only gets one day off.

Beasley started posting videos as Corporate Erin in 2021, but told HuffPost that her character was influenced by many freelance jobs that she has had where she encountered this voice.

Beasley, who only wanted to be interviewed in character as Corporate Erin, said that channeling your own inner Corporate Erin goes beyond the words you use.

“There’s also just kind of a layer of passive aggressiveness as well, and defensiveness and just kind of always making sure that I’m drilling home my points or my objectives,” Beasley said.

Why is the ‘corporate accent’ so triggering?

Beasley’s videos have received millions of views and clearly struck a nerve, particularly by introducing us to a “corporate accent,” as commenters on