Is it a must to use legal name for work?

[goodstudent]

Is it a must to use legal name (as seen in ID card) for work? Lets say my real name is Neram Mihaiki Smith, I prefer to be known Sharon Smith. Would it be fine if I use Sharon Smith in my emails, business cards...?

Thanks

 

[MikeNewYork]

It would be fine with me.

 

[Skrej]

*Not a Lawyer*
*Not an IRS Agent*

Call yourself whatever you want, just don't call me late to dinner, or before 8:00 on Sunday.

 

[Tdol]

There might be legal implications for signing contracts and other such documents.

 

[emsr2d2]

It depends where you work. I used to work at an airport and my work ID card was also my security pass to allow me to move around the airport, in both public areas and secure areas. My ID card had to contain my photograph and my full legal name. If you are just talking about an ID card to identify you to your co-workers and visitors to the firm, I don't see why you can't use your preferred name but I imagine the final decision would lie with the senior managers at your firm or with the security department.

 

[Rover_KE]

Is it a must to use legal name (as seen in ID card) for work?

I'd say your employer needs to know your legal name. Ask him/her if it's OK for you to be known as Sharon around the workplace and to clients/customers.

 

[SoothingDave]

Is it a must to use legal name (as seen in ID card) for work? Lets say my real name is Neram Mihaiki Smith, I prefer to be known Sharon Smith. Would it be fine if I use Sharon Smith in my emails, business cards...?

Thanks

I would have my name listed in my (automated, standard) email signature and on business cards as:

Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith

And then use "Sharon" as my personal sign-off on correspondance.

 

[goodstudent]

I would have my name listed in my (automated, standard) email signature and on business cards as:

Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith

And then use "Sharon" as my personal sign-off on correspondance.

Is it universally understood that the words inside " " is the nickname?

Is it universally understood that the words before " " is the legal name that the nickname represents?

 

[goodstudent]

I would have my name listed in my (automated, standard) email signature and on business cards as:

Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith

And then use "Sharon" as my personal sign-off on correspondance.

Just curious how would you write it if I am using Sharon Jones as my nick name? Neram Mihaiki Smith "Sharon Jones" or Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith "Jones"

 

[goodstudent]

I would have my name listed in my (automated, standard) email signature and on business cards as:

Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith

And then use "Sharon" as my personal sign-off on correspondance.

I am not too sure what you mean by personal sign-off on correspondance. Could you provide an example?

Lets say I am ending my email, is this what you meant? Is it correct?:

~~~~~~~~~~
Hello xxx,

...
...
...
Hope to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,
Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith
Sharon
~~~~~~~~~~

 

[SoothingDave]

Just curious how would you write it if I am using Sharon Jones as my nick name? Neram Mihaiki Smith "Sharon Jones" or Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith "Jones"

I don't think you can just choose a nickname for a surname and start using it.

 

[SoothingDave]

I am not too sure what you mean by personal sign-off on correspondance. Could you provide an example?

Lets say I am ending my email, is this what you meant? Is it correct?:

~~~~~~~~~~
Hello xxx,

...
...
...
Hope to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,
Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith
Sharon
~~~~~~~~~~

My email has a automatically appended "signature" which contains my name, company, contact info, etc.

That in your case should look like:

**********************
Neram Mihaiki "Sharon" Smith
Blah blah title
Company X
Address
City, State, country
Office phone: 122333-3829
Mobile phone: 123892-3839
email: you@something.com
*********************

Now, at the end of your messages, you can personally write:

**************
Best Regards,
Sharon
*************

Then the automatic signature would follow.

 

[Eckaslike]

Would, "Sharon" Neram Mihaiki Smith, not be better? It seems confusing having "Sharon" between the forename and surname, although I can see the logic of keeping it next to "Smith".

I agree that it should be in your signature;

e.g.

"Best regards,

Sharon.

"Sharon" Neram Mihiaiki Smith
etc

----------------------

To answer the OP's question about usage, I think that it is probably universally understood that using a name in speech marks indicates that it is the name that you prefer using.

 

[SoothingDave]

In AmE, we put nicknames in the middle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubby_Brister

This was one of our old quarterbacks- note the name Walter Andrew "Bubby" Brister, III

 

[Barb_D]

Let your employer know of your desire as soon as possible. Once IT has set up your account, it can be hard to change your email. One of my coworkers is Chinese but "Grace" is her name everywhere except in her personnel file.

 

[Eckaslike]

In AmE, we put nicknames in the middle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter

James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubby_Brister

This was one of our old quarterbacks- note the name Walter Andrew "Bubby" Brister, III

Thanks SoothingDave, that appears to be a definite difference is usage between AmE and BrE. Although I think we do the same as AmE for nicknames.

 

[goodstudent]

I am wondering if Walter Andrew "Bubby" Brister sign off and name written in a legal document is Bubby Brister, or James Earl "Jimmy" Carter sign off and name written in a legal document is Jimmy Carter, would it be a valid legal document?

 

[Barb_D]

Consult a lawyer.

 

[MikeNewYork]

And I would consult a lawyer before you change your last name. That may be illegal.

 

[Tdol]

In AmE, we put nicknames in the middle.

I would do the same.