First Name Basis

kates · November 2003

I don't post very often but I am always on here reading the posts and the great responses.

We are a "first name" company, meaning we call everyone by their first name including the owners. I have a lady in training who is an ordained minister. She thinks that calling her by her first name is offensive and disrespectul. She would prefer us to call her Minister Sylvia. I don't feel compelled to obligate her. Religious discriminiation??? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Balloonman · November 2003

She better learn to adapt to the culture and be called Sylvia. I would not do anything different. If she says I prefer to be called Minister Sylvia after you call her Sylvia I would respond with "You are not a Minister while you are here"
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman

Parabeagle · November 2003

No. You're not compelled to accede to her request, and I think to do so would be wholly inappropriate. If she believes first names are overly familiar for a work environment (and face it - there are people who feel that way), why not just call her Mrs./Miss/Ms. Jones and let it go at that?

marc · November 2003

We are also informal around here, despite the fact that a number of our EEs have doctoral degrees and other designations that are commonly recognized in other organizations. The only exceptions we make is when the EE is question is with a client in their working capacity, such as a counselor holding a doctoral degree. In those cases, we all use the title when addressing them. Otherwise, we make it known that we do not stand on formalities.

If they are still demanding some other recognition, we would use it. Then we deal with getting this person comfortable with out culture.

However, if your EE is not working in their professional capacity, it might be misleading to customers, clients, etc. as to what their capacity is and how they interface with your company.

blw · November 2003

I think I would go with Ms. Sylvia or Ms. "Jones", whichever you prefer. You don't want the use of the title Minister to in any way imply to employees or customers that her capacity in the organization is as a minister or counselor!

ray a · November 2003

I think she is placing way too much importance to the fact that she is an ordained minister. If she is working in a job other than the ministry, she does not have the right to demand to be called "Minister". It's interesting, the pastor of my church is well known by people outside the church as Glenn - no title. Many ministers I have known, do not insist on using their titles outside the church setting.

Don D · November 2003

I'm amazed you did not pick this up in the interview process. How could you not have? No, do not call her Minister Sylvia. Address her in the manner which is customary in your organization, or not at all. Perhaps you might tell her, 'Minister Sylvia, I'm frightfully concerned that we have made a terribly inappropriate hiring decision here'.

kates · November 2003

We discuss our culture during the interview process including the fact that we are a "first name" company. All our name tags have our first name only. It has become quite the topic of conversation around here. She made a big deal about it yesterday when her trainer called her Sylvia. Thank you everyone for your input and advice. We are letting her know today that this is how it is, you knew before you were hired, if you don't like it, walk away.

System · November 2003

let us know what happens. this one sounds interesting.

Balloonman · November 2003

You may have discovered rather quickly that you hired someone who is not a fit within your organization. When you sit her down to let her know this is how our company is, if she still has issues, let her go right then and there, you will save yourself a lot of headaches.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman

JM in ATL · November 2003

I don't want to seem disrepectful by saying this, but my Dog is an ordained Minister. Yes, I said Dog. Long story, but it was bought over the internet for a TV News bit. However, I only call him Charlie, because that is his name. Sometimes I call him dumba$$, but never Minister.

So, whether or not she is an ordained Minister, that title belongs only where she is doing the work of a minister. If she is not comfortable being called by her first name, then she should have discussed that before she accepted the job.

Geesh, People never cease to amaze me!!

ritaanz · November 2003

And..........I would like to be addressed as Queen Rita. Thank you very much.

Parabeagle · November 2003

In your dreams, Rita! x:P

Don D · November 2003

There's already Queen Latifa. Now, Queen LaRita? How's a boy to keep up?

ray a · November 2003

Ritaanz, I think you should be called Queen Rita. Or maybe just shorten it to Queenie. You call me Toot, and I'll call you Queenie.

ritaanz · November 2003

Sounds like you are calling your cat.

ray a · November 2003

Well, cats do have a regal air about them. Let's see, Queenie, Beagle, Toot. We need a few more nicknames to form a real menagerie. But, I think I should be called Sir Toot.

Parabeagle · November 2003

Who would name a cat "Beagle?" !!!

ritaanz · November 2003

Duh!

ray a · November 2003

Ah... a menagerie of animals would include more than just cats. So Beagle, you are part of it.

Whatever · November 2003

My daughter named her cat "Mouse".

System · November 2003

My handle IS my cat's name. My SO named him and it refers to some sort of Army slang phrase that some of you might know. He served 8 years.
I WANTED to use Betty as my handle as that was the name of my dear departed cat but it is already in use.
When we come home we torture the cat with our greeting HI DEEZY WEEZY WEEZY.
OPh boy I'm going to seem like a real nutcase after you guys read this. Oh that's right I am!

Whirlwind · November 2003

Several people at work call me HR Goddess, but I prefer Czarina since it lacks the religious overtones that can be so problematic in the workplace.

Paul in Cannon Beach · November 2003

I'd place a $2 bet that this won't be the last time you hear from or about Sylvia.

I have had people put down various titles or ordinations. Upon investigation, you find out these are easily obtainable on the internet.

Kind of reminds me of the Blues Brothers: "We're on a mission from God."

Paul in Cannon Beach

kates · November 2003

Well, she slipped out today without me getting to speak with her. So I'll snag her tomorrow when she comes in. Today she had her physical and signed it "Reverend". Tomorrow it may be "Cardinal". Who knows! She is scheduled to show up tomorrow at 11:00 am est. I'll post after that.

Pork · November 2003

King PORK, with an OINK< OINK< OINK< is how we boys "get a head", this thread has gone to the dawgs, cats, and pigs. I'm out of here, James please tell us how to get out of the "gong" machine!!!

PORK

Don D · November 2003

Ray, the title "King Toot" is already taken, sorry. It went to the guy over in the recipe section who won the Texas Chili Cookoff. x:-)

ritaanz · November 2003

Ha! Ha! Don, you have out done yourself. Pop a cold one for that.

ray a · November 2003

He can have it.

Whatever · November 2003

I'm surprised she didn't realize that "Saint Sylvia" has a nice ring to it.

afender · November 2003

I'd like to thank all of you for starting my day with several loud chuckles.....

First Name Basis

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