I work in a roll where I am in direct contact with vulnerable adults and children. (relevant I think) I am always with someone and that someone is my senior but the person can change term to term.
I am currently with someone I haven’t worked with before, she seems (only had a few weeks with her) lovely but quite full on and while I have been in my role longer than her and know it like the back of my hand she is new and she did say she feels the pressure to get it all right. She is very directive with me and patronising where other colleagues know me well and that I’m capable to just get on with things myself.
We also both have the same names, spelt and used the same way, let’s call us both Alice.
Our new service users joined last week and she took over the registration and introductions and in doing so introduced herself as Alice and me as Al.
I was actually quite taken a back as have never referred to myself or been called Al in my entire life and while quite a passive and laid back person almost corrected her in front of everyone as for some reason it really made me annoyed, I’m guessing because I just don’t identify with that name but also why am I the one that’s having to change my name!
This arrangement will go on till Christmas so it’s a long time to sit on it being silently annoyed and the potential of more people and further colleagues thinking my name is Al but I’m also thinking what’s done is now done and it’s not as easy to explain to our families that we got it wrong and change who I am to them.
Would this bother you or am just having a bad week and being picky.