Legal Question in Business Law in Georgia

Employee's Name

Can an employer require me to use a name that is not my correct legal name? Legally, on all of my I.D. I use my first initial, middle name, last name. The employer wants to reverse my first initial and middle name. Trouble is, in that form there is a person in my county with a criminal record (I don't have one). To switch my name would invite identity theft. Besides, why should I change my name to accommodate their computer setup for names?


Asked on 4/22/07, 1:07 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Employee's Name

You provide no information on how the name would be used by your employer, or how that use would "invite" identity theft. Many people share a name with someone else. Would your "new" name just go on an ID badge, or would it be used on everything from tax forms to retirement accounts, and everything else? We don't know. As for why you should go along with the plan, the answer is to keep the employer happy and keep your job whether or not you agree with this or any other request. It is safe to assume that many reasonable people would decline such a request if it involved such things as incorrect tax forms, retirement accounts, and/or unemployment compensation reporting, even if it meant looking for employment elsewhere.

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Answered on 4/22/07, 11:31 am
Robert Thompson J. Robert Thompson Attorney

Re: Employee's Name

Actually, your correct legal name is FirstName, MiddleInitial, LastName. Your employer (along with the IRS, any HMO, etc.) can compel you to state your name in that form.

Stating it in that form will solve both your problem and the employer's problem, so that is the appropriate compromise.

I can sympathise, since I suffer from the same problem.

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Answered on 4/22/07, 2:17 pm


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