Does anyone use a false name at work?

[OccamsLadyshave]

Bit of an odd one.

I have a very unusual surname. I'm the only person with my full name in the UK I think, and I'm in the phone book / traceable online.

I'm starting a new job soon working with victims of very violent crimes and there is a risk / history of perpetrators trying to trace staff.

I am wondering whether to use an alternative surname for work purposes.

Would this work / would my new colleagues think I'm a wimp?

Obviously they know my real surname as I've applied, accepted job and completed DBS check.

How do people hide their identity / location if they work with very risky clients? Is there anything I can do to reduce my chances of being traced?

[Outwith]

I think you should discuss your concerns with your employers - they will have considered this is depth, and will be able to tell you what measures they already have in place in order to reduce the likelihood of you being traced.

You could also make sure that you're removed from the phone book etc.

[LongDistanceLove]

I too have a very unique name, and as far as I'm aware there's only one of me. If I was to work in that kind of environment I wouldn't hesitate to use my mother's maiden name.

As far as I'm aware you can use whatever name you want.

As long as you've ok'd it with your boss for disclosure/crb check then I don't see why you would have an issue.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Not in a risky job, but one where clients like to get hold of you to chat at any time. Ex-directory and opted out of publicly available electoral role helps to protect you.

[DefinitelyMaybeBaby]

I am in a similar work situation and use my maiden name for work so it doesn't directly link to me in the phone book/electoral register etc and more importantly DC are not obviously linked to me at school and in the community. It's really common in my office.

[exWifebeginsat40]

I worked for the Benefits Agency many years ago in a rough area. we were advised to choose a name for our name badges as there had been incidents of violence where a dissatisfied claimant had traced a home address from a name badge.

[NightsOfGethsemane]

Not the same but when I worked in academia the name on my office door was Dr Maiden Name. Payroll knew me as Mrs Married Name. Was never a problem for my employer and had the added bonus of meaning my students couldn't find me on social media.

[Emochild]

I know people that have either used their mother's maiden name or several men have used a version of their middle name eg William to Williams

I've used my dad's first name as a surname because I hated my mother's maiden name and my dad's name had a nice ring to it with my first name because my mother's maiden name is fairly unique and would still identify me as connected to the family

[littlesupersparks]

I am a teacher and stuck with my maiden name at work after getting married. It's great. Causes a little confusion if official paperwork has my married name on but most people in the office know the situation.

[getyourgeekon]

Absolutely fine to do this imo. I'm an academic and use different names at work/home, as do quite a few others. I imagine it will be common in your workplace and wouldn't be considered odd in the slightest.

I would advise using your work surname from day 1 as gets messy otherwise - get in touch with payroll/HR/your line manager to inform them and make sure things like your new email address has your work surname etc

[Skiptonlass]

I'm Dr.maiden name at work and Mrs.doctor.skip in my private life.

No issues at all, and my only reason is that I can't be arsed changing my details as a lot of my publications are in my maiden name.

I think with any job where there's a risk to your person you'd have a very good reason to pick an alternative surname

[Forgetmenotblue]

Is common in teaching to use another name....most schools/pupils can only put up with one person of each name before the mixed communications with parents/pupils/other staff become ridiculous. Most people do their maiden name or another family name. Or use their initials like a name eg. Miss Kay for a surname beginning with K etc.

But absolutely do it from the very first day or it won't stick.

[Forgetmenotblue]

Posted too soon... A friend who works with long term drug addicts was advised to use a work name, so I am sure you may well be too. She is Emma Carmichael at work, for example, and Emily Michaels at home, so related names but not identical IYSWIM. (I made these up, she's called something different!)

[slightlyeggstained]

May be worth phoning before you start to discuss, as many places will set up IT stuff like emails and accounts before your first day so that it's ready.

[Stripysecrets]

I use a false name at work. My real name is on my payslips and in the official details and my documents etc but my name that the public sees and that is published and on my id badge etc is different. Employers had no issue with it and I let them know as soon as I was offered the job. :)

[Stripysecrets]

Meant to add my real name is also very unique and we are also the only family in the UK with this name so very easy to find!

[PiratePanda]

Therre is no legal objection in the UK to you using an alias for work. I use my maiden name as a middle name in all my publications to distinugish me from the million other people with my very common first name-last name combination.

It's not on my passport and is no longer part of my legal name, but it is not illegal to use it. If that's an option for you, do it. If not, use your paternal grandmother's surname (as mother's maiden name is so often used for passwords, etc).