Our names are meaningful. Names given to us, your colleagues, clients, or stakeholders are typically agonised over by our parents. This is because our names are connected to our family’s culture, heritage, and history. It brings us pride and plays a big role in who we are as individuals.

We can often get names wrong, sometimes innocently, or often it is down to being lazy. This can be hurtful and make people feel like their colleagues aren’t making the effort to know who they are. When this continues, it can feel like a big part of them is being stripped away, and stops them from bringing their whole selves to the workplace.

Here are just a few examples of members of the REM community who have had their names mispronounced or changed:

• Efemena is called Effy
• Nanno is called Nando’s
• Abdullah is called Jeff
• Bharrat is called Bob

Getting people’s names wrong can also be considered a microaggression. Sending a message that “you are minimal”, “you are not important in this environment, so why should I take time and effort to learn your name?”

We learn the names of our favourite sports stars, not to mention Tchaikovsky, Michelangelo, and Dostoevsky.

Being respectful is always worth the effort.

People should not have to change their names or accept them being said wrongly in order to accommodate others.

Instead, everyone should be able to make the effort to learn how to pronounce the names of all their colleagues, to show that there is space for everyone to show their true identity.

When organisations get involved in the #MyNameIs campaign, they show their colleagues, stakeholders, and peers that they want to create an environment of belonging and authenticity where everyone can show up as their true selves.

In a recent poll, 73% of people said they have had their name mispronounced, 43% said it made them feel disrespected, and 35% said it had an impact on their identity as a person.

94% of people believe #MyNameIs will make an impact, and 71% believe it is more effective than other diversity and inclusion initiatives.

#MyNameIs is a highly impactful solution to combat an issue we experience all too often in the workplace!

Here is how your organisation can get involved:

1. Download, use, and share the free #MyNameIs guide.
2. Add phonetic name spelling to email signatures and other communication channels, e.g., job applications, meetings, social media, name badges, etc.
3. Use a voice note/sound bar, that pronounces your name, there is one on LinkedIn. This can also be added onto your email footers.
4. There are additional tools where you can create a Name Badge by voice-recording your name. You can also add the meaning, origin, and stories about your name.
5. Ask everyone to check if they are saying other people’s names correctly, if the name is unfamiliar.
6. Use the Fuh-Net-Ic Tool to download images with the phonetic pronunciation of your names.
7. Share phonetic name images or videos of your employees talking about the importance or history of their name and what it feels like when someone gets it right. If you do this on social media, tag Race Equality Matters and use #MyNameIs.
8. Encourage stakeholders, suppliers, and your networks to get involved.

You can also get involved as an individual and ask your organisation to get involved.