To ask to call me by a nickname in the new job?

[oreoxoreo]

I am starting a new job in a couple of weeks in a very British (I presume) environment, i.e. civil service. I am an EU immigrant with unusual name. In my private life I've chosen to be called by a nickname- similar to my own but a British sounding name, which now my partner and majority of my friends use.
I know that I'll have to stick to my official name in documents etc, but would it be unreasonable to ask my colleagues to call me by my self imposed nickname?

Think of something like Malgorzata - to Maggie (I am not Polish by the way so it is just an example)

unless your nick name was something like ‘big tits’

I just snorted at this 😂

Absolutely not a problem, but I wouldn't call it a nickname as that gives the wrong impression. A nickname has another sense where it is an informal name unrelated to the given name used by one's friends, e.g. Topper, Chum, Bobster. In this sense it would not be appropriate in the workplace.

The other use of nickname, to indicate a short form of a first name (e.g. Maggie, Gabby, Kath, Pip) is fine professionally but if you use the word nickname you risk getting it confused with the first sense.

As pp have said, it would be better to use a phrase like 'I go by ...'
Avoid the term nickname and you'll be fine!

I've come across similar at various points and no one has batted an eyelid.
If someone came into work and said "I know my name is Hildegart " but actually I'd like you to call me "Jane", I'd reckon that I'd have forgotten by the end of the week that they were called anything but Jane.

I remember as a student one lad saying very firmly to the lecturer at the start when she turned to address him. "I am Adi, and I don't wish anything else to be used." He was German, and his name was Adolf (he said a family name-he added that would stop with him) and you could see exactly why, studying in England, he did not want that to be used at all. I don't remember after that first encounter it ever coming up again.
He was firm about it, but not stroppy, and I think that made everyone respect his choice.

YANBU at all, no one will mind, they'll probably find it easier to be honest.

We have loads of people who do this at my work.
I second seeing if you can have the nickname for your email address rather than original name, as it'll probably be confusing for people trying to email you!

Perfectly normal to ask for e-mail, id card and so on to be
Nickname Surname.
Also normal to point out that you want to be known as Middlename Surname.

They can easily and quickly change your email account. Drop them a line and they’ll do it no problem.

Yes to avoiding saying 'nickname'.
Say 'I'm known as Maggie' not 'I use my nickname Maggie'.
If people call you Maggie Xoreo, that becomes your name, it's just that you will have official name too.

Of course it's fine. Theyll be glad if the nickname is easier for them to say/remember

I use another name at work even though it is not the official short form for my fairly unusual ( british) name. It was all sorted out very easily even though in my sector it is important that documents match ( CRBs, proof of qualifications and the like). My employer was actually grateful as it would be more straight forward for our service users.

The only time I have used my ‘proper’ name at work was in a tele sales environment when I was told it was best to keep a memorable name!

I don't see an issue at all. In my work I see lots of people with their preferred name in their signature. But I'd let them know know so hopefully it can be amended on the email and the systems. It'll probably be easier for your colleagues if your name is hard to pronounce.

I'd say that is fine - it's not really a nickname - it's a short form. I use a short form of my own first name - it is what I have been called all my life. I'd call it a nickname if you wanted to be called Bingo or Biggles or something (in which case you WBU )

No issue. Almost the same as using your middle name which many people do.

I would also in future use the nn on your cv.
Maggie Xoreo instead of Malgorzata Xoreo.
Nobody would bat an eyelid at a cv that had Ben Surname or Becky Surname on it, or at when Ben or Becky stated that their bank details and NINo was in their full name.

That's great to hear.
I hope no one will ask why I don't want to identify with my original name, or don't think I am somehow running away from my identity. It just makes life so much easier!

I think 2 weeks before you start is fine to state a preferred name. some people go by middle names etc. your line manager put the request through a week or so before you start. you're lucky if IT do anything with it before you start.

Most of my Chinese colleagues have chosen a British name and nobody questions it. When they join the team they just say, ‘My name is ABC but you can call me XYZ’.

I work in a very professional environment with a colleague who insists on being called a name which isn't actually a real name e.g. Rain/Red/River that kind of thing. Another colleague's real name is Delilah (Why, why, why....), but she goes by the name Debbie on everything except official paperwork. I Don't think anyone would gave an issue is you used a "known as" name.

With regard getting email changed we had a 'Margaret' starting last year. Soon as someone said to be 'Oh, she goes by Maggie' I got onto IT to change it. If that's what she wishes to be known as that's what we should set her up as.
But equally I see plenty of Margarets in the email address signing themselves Maggie.

I started a new job mid-divorce. I got the call the day before their 2 week shutdown and was due to start the first day they came back. I asked to be called by my maiden name (hadn't yet changed it officially but hated my married name by that point). Absolutely no problems at all from work! Go for it OP