Name change

[SandraB]

I work in the service industry as a tech. When the time comes for me to go f/t, if I stay there, I'm wondering how to handle things. For one, we have our names printed on our shirts, so I'd expect to have my new  name on my shirts, which I don't see as a real problem. The problem though is with documentation and paper trail. When I sign my name, I'd want it to match with my shirt and all to avoid questions.  Would/should I do a name change at the same time to avoid this problem?

[ErinM]

I managed to coordinate my legal name change with going full time. The plan was the everything would line up to avoid problems.

That being said, my employer dropped the ball on updating my information. Apparently it got lost somehow and took over a month an a half to complete and they still haven't updated my name in Active Directory and it's coming up on two months. I mean come on! It only takes a minute (I did it countless times in my old life). Maybe two minutes if you're nursing the mother of all hangovers.

Thankfully I don't use the computers that often and never use email and I started signing things with my new name from the first day back.

(Edited to correct spelling mistake)

[Ms Grace]

Things may be different elsewhere, but in Australia it's highly recommended to change everything at once especially if going full time at work, that way security details, pay slips, pay cheques and banking details all align and there are no complications.

[MaryXYX]

I went full time and changed my name a couple of weeks later.  Doing both at the same time is a better plan.

My employer was very good.  I went full time without any warning (normally a very bad plan).  The HR guy asked my lots of questions, including "is this intended to be permanent?" then put me against the wall and took a photo for a new ID card.  I had the card the same morning, and the staff database changed to match.

Most people don't get it that easy.

[Kaylee]

I went full time and changed my name a couple of weeks later.  Doing both at the same time is a better plan.

My employer was very good.  I went full time without any warning (normally a very bad plan).  The HR guy asked my lots of questions, including "is this intended to be permanent?" then put me against the wall and took a photo for a new ID card.  I had the card the same morning, and the staff database changed to match.

Most people don't get it that easy.

I gave a weeks warning (my boss had known for a while though, and was quite prepared when I phoned in tears after an appointment when I realised I couldn't bring my self to change back into 'his' clothes), after that it kind zoomed through

Wednesday - Called in tears saying I couldn't bring myself to change and go into the office

Monday - Told everyone on my team, followed by the other IS teams being updated from their manager
Tuesday - Cascaded to team leaders in other departments to let peeps know to be on best behavior (people were informed that ANY negative comments would result in being sent home for the day/foreseeable future)
Wednesday - Turned up to work as me, got new security pass and log-in details that day, everything apart from pay/tax related details updated to  the right name

Some weeks down the line - legal name change complete.  I'm still on the payroll under my old name until I get off my arse and tell HMRC, Tax people etc, but everything else was updated when I told them what my name was going to be, not when it was finally complete.

[MaryXYX]

I sent over 30 letters changing my name, and even then I'm not sure I got them all.
Remember there are three quite separate NI offices and they don't really talk to one another.

[Ms Grace]

The HR guy asked my lots of questions, including "is this intended to be permanent?"...

That is one bizarre question!

[MaryXYX]

It's actually a very sensible question.  I couldn't see any way it wouldn't be permanent but it seems he had previous experience.

[Tammy M]

Maybe you sign your new name on the paperwork even if it wasn't yet legal, but a legal name change at or before you go full time would be a good way to deal with it..

[big kim]

I got everything done at the same time,driving licence,medical card,bank stuff and work so it was ready for when I went full time.