Data Protection Act 1998 UK?

Question

Hello,

I'd like to know whether an employer can force an employee to give their name over the telephone to callers while working on a telephone reception line. I beleive that it is in conflict with the data protection act where it is down to the individual to have the choice whether they divulge personal information ( In this case their name) to a third party.
I had a nasty experiene some years ago where a gang of youths found out my home address from my name badge and came after me when I reported one of 'the gang' to the police after an incident with a firearm. I have a very unusual surname!

Thanks for any help which would be great if backed up by solid legislation

Answer 1

I don't see why an employee who so wishes should not have a pseudomym or "desk name" for this purpose, as long as the intention is not to deceive. It has been done for many years in situations where people were anxious to preserve their privacy or personal safety. The purpose of giving your name to members of the public is for ease of identification if there is any complaint against you. As long as your colleagues are aware of the pseudonym you are using and you undertake to use that desk name whenever identifying yourself to any outsider, there shouldn't be a problem. Actors frequently work under assumed names and many female professionals opt for keeping their maiden names for professional purposes, while using their married names for most practical purposes.
There is very little legislation, unfortunately, on the use of the name, as I discovered once when I had to research the subject. As long as everybody accepts your use of a name, it seems that you can adopt any name you please.
You don't give any indication of who your employer is and certainly it would appear that some employers (such as IRS, a particularly vulnerable group!) formally register their pseudonyms. If your name is as distinctive as you say, maybe this is a good idea for you anyway. I hope the following links may prove of help (the first one involves a lot of reading, I'm afraid, before you get to the reference to pseudonyms)!
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:oxZECh-RGUYJ:www.irs.gov/irm/part11/ch03s14.html+Freedom+of+Information+act+use+of+pseudonym&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:lydT0P1heLsJ:www.asmp.org/commerce/legal/copyright/faq2.php+registration+of+pseudonym&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4

Answer 2

No they cannot force you to give your FULL name!

You may only give your first name....you are not under any obligation to provide more details.

Most reception/call centres only require first name so as to have a reference point if a complaint or praise is made about your conduct!

Answer 3

the police were wrong in that instance for giving your name to them. but you could request that you only give your first name.just make sure that anything you say to a caller is in line with what the management tell you to say so that if it comes back to you they will back you up...and do not do favours! give a customer an inch and they'll want you to do their weekly shopping aswell!