Preferred Name Request Process in Civil Service

[MysticalMelody]

Hello Everyone,

I am about to start my first job in the Civil Service and have a question regarding the use of a preferred name. In my previous workplaces, I had the option to use a preferred name, which was great for personal comfort and ease of communication.

I'm wondering if the Civil Service also provides this option and, if so, what is the process for requesting it. In my past experiences, I would typically reach out to HR in private or corporate organisations to make such requests. However, I am not sure how it works within the Civil Service.

Can anyone here shed some light on this? What's the procedure for requesting a preferred name in the Civil Service? Are there any specific policies or guidelines I should be aware of? Any advice or information on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

In what context do you mean? Do you mean for email address?

When I started my supervisor asked if I wanted the last name I used when I applied or the one on my private email so I'd think it's possible, you would just have to ask them before they set up your work email

I mean for everything, email, signature in the email, signing documents, etc.

Thanks, this is really useful. I will request this from my line manager.

I know we have some people who go by the shortened version of their name on emails and someone who has her maidan name , even though she was when she started and has his name our of work so I can't see it being an issue for you

When I’ve filled in civil service applications, I think they’ve always asked for ‘preferred name’ as well as first and last names. No idea if that would follow through automatically to your HR record.

For your email, contact your line manager and ask them who is setting up your IT etc, as you would like to be known as Misty Melody rather than Mystical Melody. It’s a pain to change your email address once it’s created, so get in there quick. I know a Seb who hated his full name (Sebastian) so was just Seb.surname - he just contacted his manager once he was offered the job to ask that that be his email address.

In terms of what you sign off as, what you put in your email signature etc - I don’t think anyone minds and I’ve never known of a process in any of four departments I’ve worked in. No one I’ve managed has ever asked permission to sign off in a certain way.

If your preferred name isn’t a common contraction of your first name, you might get a few raised eyebrows. I worked some years ago with a Zachary who called himself Ziggy, and some old school civil servants were a bit 🤨 But I don’t think anyone really cares.

All your clearances etc will need to be done in your legal name but in terms of what you are known as day to day, it wont be an issue. I know people who still use their maiden name at work even though their official paperwork is in their married name, and people who go by their middle name instead of their first name. Just make sure you tell HR when you are onboarded so everything can be set up correctly with your IT etc.

People call themselves what they want on their email signature, but for the email address I'd suggest you ask your line manager in advance of you starting as put IT set them up as your full name unless they get told otherwise in advance.

For our staff passes in my Department , it has to be a recognised derivative of your actual name - so Liz or Beth for Elizabeth.

I also know a Ziggy but it was a nickname and nothing like his actual real one. He had a fight on his hands to get his pass with that on - but he persevere and was finally successful!