Can employer enforce to wear name badge which includes surname

Legacy_user

My friend's employer, is planning to do so as currently just wear name badges with first names, Some are worried that customers could trace their details on social media etc

Comms69

Don't understand the issue?


(yes they can)

mattvolatile

Comms69 wrote: »

Don't understand the issue?


(yes they can)

Because it allows customers who wish to harass staff as it provides an easy way to find their social media accounts. This often happens to young women in hospitality and retail jobs, in particular. I think it's reasonable to not want to share your surname publicly if you don't want to.

If the employer insists on a surnamed badge for ID purposes (so customers who complain can tell the difference between John Smith and John Bloggs, say, perhaps they could ask to use a fake surname just for work purposes?

tooldle

Having a “shop name” was fairly common years ago.

MacMickster

I really don't see the issue.

People who do jobs which are much more likely to result in ongoing flack outside of work use their full names quite freely. Think of police officers, tax inspectors, DWP investigators etc. In reality I suspect that there are very few instances of "clients" subsequently looking them up and harrassing them outside of work.

Don't be so precious about your name.

Undervalued

mattvolatile wrote: »

Because it allows customers who wish to harass staff as it provides an easy way to find their social media accounts. This often happens to young women in hospitality and retail jobs, in particular. I think it's reasonable to not want to share your surname publicly if you don't want to.

If the employer insists on a surnamed badge for ID purposes (so customers who complain can tell the difference between John Smith and John Bloggs, say, perhaps they could ask to use a fake surname just for work purposes?

Would you think it reasonable if you were only told your doctor or dentist's first name? Or your solicitor, bank manager etc?

As for using a fake surname? I would assume that the business or person had something to hide.

JGB1955

I totally see the issue - there are only 21 people in the whole of the UK with my surname. I would consider it totally unnecessary for my surname to be bandied around to Joe Public.


My work life is a totally different place to my home life. There should be no cross-over unless I want it. I don't!

getmore4less

Get a stage name that's what many do.

You can use any(multiple) names your employer should be on board with aka. Names for identity at work purposes.

lincroft1710

My optician actually uses a pseudonym. His family originates from Eastern Europe and he uses an Anglicised version of his forename and a shortened version of his (not exactly unpronounceable) surname.

When I was in the Civil Service everybody used both true forename (or initials) and surname whether on telephone, in correspondence or meeting face to face.

gettingtheresometime

MacMickster wrote: »

I really don't see the issue.

People who do jobs which are much more likely to result in ongoing flack outside of work use their full names quite freely. Think of police officers, tax inspectors, DWP investigators etc. In reality I suspect that there are very few instances of "clients" subsequently looking them up and harrassing them outside of work.

Don't be so precious about your name.

Actually I know many people who have those professions either don't use social media for that very reason.


I also know of someone who changed their name on social media because of this issue.

74jax

I worked for a bank and used a fake last night on my badge .