"My company"

[sachiko]

I have a question.

I sometimes say about the company I am working for as "my company"
But people ask me "Is your father the president of the company?"
and I say "Absolutely not!"

What should I say in this situation?

[RonBee]

If you don't own the company then the company is your employer, not your company.

~R

[riverkid]

I don't see anything wrong with saying "my company". People who strongly identify with their place of work, who tend to feel that they part of a group often describe their company this way.

[sachiko]

Thank you for answering my question, RonBee and riverkid,

In Japanese, we call the company we are working for "My" company.

But If I say so in English, many people misunderstand my words.

I would like to know the good way to call a company I am working for
in short in English.

Sachiko

[David L.]

As ever, it is the context in which you would say, "My company", and preferably, "Our company".
If you worked for Panasonic, and you were at a meeting/conference where people from Samsung and LG and Hitachi were present, then when talking to one of the people from these other companies, (and they knew you worked for Panasonic), you might say, "So, Samsung is going all plasma screen TVs from now on? My/our company sees a continuing market for both (plasma and LCD), so we'll be manufacturing both types at least for the next three years." It's a kind of 'we- in-the-trade 'speak'.
Otherwise, out of context, "my" indicates "I own". If you've noticed a sharp increase in the number of men/women (depending on your gender) asking you out, it's because they're fortune-hunters - they think you do own Panasonic!!! lol

Depending on your level within the company, you might say, "Where I work, we.." (said by someone not in upper management). IF you were in upper management, then in talking about your work, most people would know your position, and that you are an important person in the company, and you could well say "My company..."

[sachiko]

Thank you David L.,

This was the first thread for me.
I was very surprised at getting those replies for my question kindly!

I’ｍnot in upper management, I have to avoid using "my company”.
I appreciate for your useful example.

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by sachiko

Thank you David L.,

This was the first thread for me.
I was very surprised at getting those replies for my question kindly!

I’ｍnot in upper management, I have to avoid using "my company”.
I appreciate for your useful example.

Sachiko san,

Using my company is as natural as saying my school, my university/college, my hockey team/my tennis partner/my football team is the {put in your favorite team's name}.

None of these are owned by the individual, nor do they need to be. It's simply a way of showing that you identify with some group that you feel close to for some reason..

[2006]

Originally Posted by riverkid

Sachiko san,

Using my company is as natural as saying my school, my university/college, my hockey team/my tennis partner/my football team is the {put in your favorite team's name}.

None of these are owned by the individual, nor do they need to be. It's simply a way of showing that you identify with some group that you feel close to for some reason..

I agree.

[RonBee]

I work for X Company, and they can fire me for any reason at all--or for no particular reason. They are certainly not "my company" in any sense of the word. If anybody wants to use that term tho, he is certainly welcome to do so. If it helps you feel like you belong, more power to you.

[David L.]

So there you have it Sachiko. Your own experience is that when you use the term, others misunderstand and think you own the company.
Others think that it is a mark of loyalty to the company, a kind of identification with it, and may give them a sense of 'belonging' in an age of self-determination, personal autonomy and freedom. What the listener interprets when somebody says, "My company..." is another story. One runs the risk of being regarded as a pretentious prat.