To think employers shouldn't force staff to wear name badges? *title edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Starcup]

I can see benefit on the one hand. It creates a personal touch and if customer wants to identify an employer either to complain or show gratified then the name badge easily identifies them.

That said, in this day and age with social media and everything just one click away, should wearing a name bag de be a choice rather than compulsory?

It’s so easy to find people on social media these days, even just with a first name, it makes me uncomfortable that we are made to wear them. I’ve had friend requests off clients from my company, that wouldn’t know my surname, so I assume they’ve put I my first name and recognised me. (One guy sent me a request 7pm on the evening I seen him at 3pm at work) One of my colleagues has had this happen several times.

Even if they didn’t purposely search with the first name, if they came across a social media profile they wouldn’t necessarily know for sure if it was a particular staff member or not, but if the staff member wears a name badge that corresponds with the name on social media then it would make them identifiable.

Some people won’t mind but does anyone else not feel comfortable wearing a name badge at work?

I also notice a lot of people don’t use their real name on social media (or use a nick name so to prevent clients, customers, etc finding them)

Thoughts?

SHOULDN’T

Shouldn’t force them

Where I used to work you had to wear a name badge (so you could be identified for mystery shops) but you could pick whatever name you wanted, which I liked a lot

I agree shouldn’t but voted before reading 2nd post.

@PiffleWiffleWoozle

I agree shouldn’t but voted before reading 2nd post.

I know, I made a right cock up of that! 😂

@icedcoffees

Where I used to work you had to wear a name badge (so you could be identified for mystery shops) but you could pick whatever name you wanted, which I liked a lot

That’s a good idea, in fact it’s bludy brilliant!

@PiffleWiffleWoozle

I agree shouldn’t but voted before reading 2nd post.

You can change your vote if you want.

I have to wear a name badge at work, so my name on social media is adapted.

Thanks @HesterLee I did not know that!

I don't think you should be forced to wear a name badge with your name on.

If they want to be able to identify you for a mystery shopper etc then they should give you a unique store name to avoid confusion with the other 6 Sarahs and so no one can harass you outside work.

Being forced to wear a name badge really is something that should bother women. Its not ok.

I fought against this when it was introduced, because of the security threat. I also believe that in most organisations it is not necessary and helps to damage employee rights by singling out individuals for blame in an organisation with systemic failure.

It's American crap that we managed without - with better services - for a hundred years.

I hate it when customers call me by my name. The US ones seem to think it's friendly politeness, but it feels like such an invasion of my privacy and an assertion of power when they use my first name without telling me theirs. If I were to read people's credit cards and start going "Well, Alex, that'll be £25. Would you like a bag?" I'm fairly sure I would get complaints.

I've refused to wear a name badge for exactly this reason... I don't want to be identifiable on sm/outside my work.

One place I temped we were allowed to choose a 'known as' name/alternate name... This made us identifiable to the bosses....

When I worked in child protection, only HR knew my full name...

I was Louisa R of West Bristol Child Services (all fictitious obvs) on any court documents/letters to clients.

But it was essential that some dangerous clients couldn't identify us as Poppy Parker who lives in Tree Park.

It happened to other staff in neighbouring teams... It did not end well.

I agree Daisy I also hate with a passion when done randomised who I don't know from Adam decided to shorten my name. For example they see it hear my name as Elizabeth and immediately refer to me as Lizzy. Twat.

People could take personal responsibility for who has access to their social media accounts and what they post on them.

@IamtheDevilsAvocado

I've refused to wear a name badge for exactly this reason... I don't want to be identifiable on sm/outside my work.

One place I temped we were allowed to choose a 'known as' name/alternate name... This made us identifiable to the bosses....

When I worked in child protection, only HR knew my full name...

I was Louisa R of West Bristol Child Services (all fictitious obvs) on any court documents/letters to clients.

But it was essential that some dangerous clients couldn't identify us as Poppy Parker who lives in Tree Park.

It happened to other staff in neighbouring teams... It did not end well.

That’s the epitome of a job that you absolutely wouldn’t want to be identifiable.

One of my family members is a solicitor dealing with crimes etc and for similar reasons to you, their social media name is different, to stop --criminals-- ‘clients’ from finding out personal info etc…

It’s frightening what you can find out about someone online

My name and pic is on company website so I don't need a badge.

@Starcup if you report your OP to MNHQ they can edit your tittle for you.

Also, YANBU.

We were required to wear badges/passes at work with both name and photo. We were however also expected to remove them when out side work and we didn't have members of the public on site.

[quote HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule]@Starcup if you report your OP to MNHQ they can edit your tittle for you.

Also, YANBU.[/quote]
Thanks, I’ve just seen your post and taken your advice 😊

I like the idea that you can choose a "work name" - as indeed many call centre staff do - but I do think it has to be explained to new staff when they first join, and the reasons why it might be a good idea, and not left for people to insist they want that after they have been there a while. It is useful for customers / clients to know who promised them X/Y. or Z, so I do think staff should be identifiable, even if that is by their "work name"

@Onlinedilema

I agree Daisy I also hate with a passion when done randomised who I don't know from Adam decided to shorten my name. For example they see it hear my name as Elizabeth and immediately refer to me as Lizzy. Twat.

This happens to my mum all the time.

I now work for my parents company and recently had some sales person (mobile phones,utilities,get rich quick, whatever) insisting that I put them through to Jenny (not her real name) blatantly lying that they knew her very well.

I said well you obviously DON’T know her well and if you ever do get to speak to her I’d strongly advise that you NEVER call her Jenny as she HATES it. She is Jennifer and doesn’t answer to Jenny.

@Kite22

I like the idea that you can choose a "work name" - as indeed many call centre staff do - but I do think it has to be explained to new staff when they first join, and the reasons why it might be a good idea, and not left for people to insist they want that after they have been there a while. It is useful for customers / clients to know who promised them X/Y. or Z, so I do think staff should be identifiable, even if that is by their "work name"

I use my real name for work but TBH 99% of people get it wrong anyway (Not real name but it goes) "XXX, Samantha speaking" "Hi Sonia" Me

My daughter hates having to wear a name badge at work, as do most of her female colleagues (in retail). Most badges are pinned close to the bust area and to have males purposely get close "to read" whilst leering at her boobs is beyond gross. If you have a problem with a staff member then get a manager and point them out...you dont need their name to do that.

My daughter is a nurse & didn’t think she’d have to worry about this kind of thing too much until a sex offender came in to her ward & a few days later asked if she enjoyed Croatia. He’d obviously looked her up on Facebook & she hadn’t locked it down as much as she thought she had…she now has a completely different name on social media.

YANBU. I worked in a visitor attraction with thousands of visitors a day. They gave you a name badge with first name and surname, no choice/'work name' option. All female staff under 35 with fairly unique names would regularly get creeps try to contact them on social media. Zero regard for safety of staff. I think they eventually changed it to the first name only, but not until one of the harrassed female staff became the manager who orders name badges.