Employer using my signature

[iwanttobeonleave]

I've found out today that my employer has been issuing legal advice letters with my signature on, that I've not seen or had any part in creating.

Where do I stand on this? Do I own my signature?! I need to be sure of my rights before I confront them.

Any HR or legal peeps out there?

I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge of this but wouldn't that be fraud?

I think you need to explain the context. What are they being used on? Sometimes marketing materials for example have electronic signatures of an individual on them.

In our office a letter would only be 'pp' signed by another person, with our name underneath (so that its clear it wasn't actually signed off by us personally). Could be a compromise if the paperwork is time sensitive/ doesn't need you to actually check it over.

Wonder if this is simmilar to my place where a certain team will issue letters amd emails to customers but my name is on the letter. They are often investigating unusual activity and as I manage a customer facing team its less suspicious that ny name is on the correspondence.

If its like that then its not illegal, its representing the company which there will be things in your contract about. Its really your contract you should check to see whats expected I would think

Yes I would bring this to them. As others have said it isn't that unusual for electronic signatures to be used even if you haven't electronically signed. Eg I 'sign' employment contracts. However these are standard docs and I've approved the content in advance.

However with something like advice I'd say you should be seeing it in advance. What if the advice is wrong and you are sued!? Of course you would be able to argue you didn't sign but why should you have to? I'd say it's perfectly reasonable for you to challenge this.

depends on what it is.

we have standard letters that bare the head of department signature but they have not seen each end every one of them (thousands each week). but the contents of these is agreed and standardised.
as soon as correspondence deviate from the standard templates a wet or digital signature is required.

if the letters your employer sends out are not a standard template then you need to take it up with your boss.

I can use my boss's electronic signature. I don't do it unless she's seen the letter, which frustrates her because she thinks it's unecessary use of her time

No matter what it's being used for you should have been advised in advance.

If these are unique legal letters, not mailshots, and you have official legal qualifications then you may have problems ahead.

Depends on context, position etc.

@Backtomyoldname

If these are unique legal letters, not mailshots, and you have official legal qualifications then you may have problems ahead.

Depends on context, position etc.

Yes, they are unique and yes, professional qualifications.

That’s not good. Can you call the professional ethics line for advice on what to do?

I would straight away write to the person who is doing this and order them to stop immediately.
I would write both a letter and an email, to ensure it is recorded.

Then simultaneously take advice from your professional body who I would hope, will be able to accurately advise on such queries from their members.

@FawnDrench

I would straight away write to the person who is doing this and order them to stop immediately. I would write both a letter and an email, to ensure it is recorded.

Then simultaneously take advice from your professional body who I would hope, will be able to accurately advise on such queries from their members.

Thank you - I've put it in writing and made it very clear I have never given my permission for it to be used without my knowledge or consent. I've not had a response but I believe it has stopped. I am still shocked that someone would think this was an acceptable behaviour of a professional office.

It’s wholly unacceptable. If you are uk and sra regulated - you should alert them too.