'Colleagues changed my name because they couldn't say it - I'm so confused'
When starting a new job, it can be difficult to remember everyone's names and you might be repeatedly asked for yours.
But it's not unreasonable to expect colleagues to get your name right after they've been told, especially when it's something that's "very easy" to pronounce.
For one woman, her expectation was wildly different from the reality.
Explaining how her name is Nigerian, the woman said it's "very easy to say" as it's a "short" name.
The woman doesn't understand as her name is 'easy' to say (stock photo) (Getty Images/Tetra images RF)but despite this, people at work keep saying it wrong and one even decided to start calling her 'Emily' instead.
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Concerned this is a "red flag" the woman took to the internet to ask for some advice.
Writing on BabyCentre's Am I Being Unreasonable forum, she said: "I started a new job.
"I am Nigerian and have a VERY easy name to say. It's literally short and easy to pronounce. Most people have been really friendly and the team seem close-knit.
"One woman there has declared openly that she can't pronounce my name so is going to call me 'Emily' from now on. I've only been in the job a day. This is my second day on the job. Everyone heard her say this and seemed to find it funny.
"I took it as 'banter' and didn't say anything. Suddenly there was a burst of laughter on the ward and two Nigerian doctors came up to me and asked if I was okay. I was surprised as the laughter was unrelated to me but the fact they obviously thought maybe I was being the target of a joke was a bit of a red flag, makes me wonder if there's a culture of it.
"So I've been in the UK for years now and never experienced anything like this. I'm pleased to say my previous workplace was lovely and professional and I was there 6 years. Would you be concerned about this? They all SEEM friendly to me."
Many people responded to the post to say how 'rude' it was of her co-workers to try and change her name.
One person said: "This is not ok, people can't just change your name without even trying to pronounce it. That's really rude of them!"
Someone else replied: "A name should be respected no matter where you come from so I would be quite concerned about this myself."
While a different user added: "Not ok at all, I would have said 'ok I'll call you…..' something that isn't her name. This is so passive-aggressive, ignorant, racist, insensitive, and just gross. I'd be firm and tell her to call you by your name. It doesn't matter if it's hard or not, people can learn a colleague's name, it's just basic respect."
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