Nicknames at work – I want one!

Published by Ryan Paugh on June 20th, 2007 in Career Development, Work | 8 Comments

On the scrubtails of McDreamy and McSteamy comes McNightmare, a name employees at a local company gave to their boss. Just like on "Grey's Anatomy,?? doling out nicknames to colleagues is as much a part of the workday as emailing and lunch hour.

The Name Game by Kristi L. Gustafson, Timesunion.com

Nicknames, you gotta love 'em. What kind of world would it be if John Wayne wasn't "the Duke,?? Springsteen wasn't "the Boss?? and Babe Ruth wasn't "the Great Bambino" In fact, I've got a nickname of my own. Back in college, they called me "Ginney,?? and I loved every minute of it.

Nicknames in the workplace can be just as fun. A friend of mine just became a mate on a fishing boat. The crew gave him the name "Dogballs.?? Unfortunately, our corporate nicknames aren't as intriguing, but we still use the age-old practice to lighten the mood in an otherwise straight-laced environment.

"It is a good way to deal with the frustrations of having to deal with and cope with inner-office politics and odd quirks,?? says an employee in Gustafson's article. "It definitely makes work more fun.??

At my office, there are tons of nicknames floating around – "Where's Waldo,?? the guy who's never around when you need him; "Little Miss Sunshine,?? the poor lady who can't catch a break; and then there's me. I don't have a nickname, and I feel so left out.

Maybe that's a reason why nicknames aren't such a good idea in a work environment. If you can't give everyone a nickname, don't give one to anybody. Our good friend J.T. O'Donnell says there's more to it than just leaving people out of the loop.

"Nicknaming at work is an extension of schoolyard bullying or teasing,?? O'Donnell says to Gustafson, "plus it has a bad effect on morale.??

In my opinion, serving up nicknames in the office is like serving up anything else in the office – make it tasteful. Making jokes about someone who is a physical mess is offensive. Nicknaming these people is just as bad. It's probably not a good idea to call anyone "Grandpa?? or "Grandma?? either. I imagine it induces the same frustration as when someone calls me "Kid" or "Sport." The point is, if you're dumb enough to not know where to draw the line, you probably deserve to get fired.

Nicknames are accepted in the group I work with. We know where to draw the line. And actually, it makes our work relationships even stronger. The ability to joke with your peers creates a comfort zone that ignites superb group creativity. I think some of my coworkers might lose it if they didn't have the ability to poke fun at one another every once and awhile.

J.T. has some great points. Know where your limits lie. There's no place for a bully in "cubicle nation." But a good relationship with your peers should signify that a few tasteful nicknames are no biggie. Heck, I'm begging for a nickname. Hopefully when I get one, it won't be "Dogballs.??

Leave your thoughts here. (8 responses)

This article´s comments All Employee Evolution comments

Danielle

Jun 20th, 2007 at 10:04 am

A guy I used to work with, who was known for his rather crude sense of humor, decided one day he was going to call me "Titsaleena Bumsquash." I pretty much gave him the look of, "Don't you even presume you ever have a chance." And he resorted to his usual, and undying nickname for me, "Just another broad."

Needless to say, not all nicknames are great. But they usually make good stories later. I always wanted a really good nickname that stuck…

Ryan Paugh

Jun 20th, 2007 at 10:11 am

Yeah, "Titsaleena Bumsquash" probably falls into that offensive category. Borderline sexual harassment if you ask me.

But anyway, they do make great stories, even if you're talking about what sounds like the biggest scumbag at your office.

-Paugh

Dan

Jun 21st, 2007 at 12:57 pm

I completely agree with nicknames in the workplace. If you can think back to anything you ever enjoyed, whether it was your fraternity in college, your baseball team in middle school, or that "good" teacher you had in high school. I always got a nickname. For me it was a sense of pride and individualism, it seperated me from any other Dan because people called me by something as simple as DH. I am in sales now, and I feel nicknames are even more important in this field. If your boss or partner refers to you as the "closer", you are probably doing something right.

-Fogie

chris

Jun 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 pm

A nickname that I gave to a co-worker (but he doesn't know), is squirrel. (because he's just trying to get a nut) He is the biggest pervert and he's in upper management. He is married with a couple kids and he continues to hit on my co-worker. What a sleaze.

Justin D

Jun 24th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

I have always envied anyone with a nickname. I've never had one! I work in a very laid back, creative agency so sometimes the lines get blurred concerning appropriate behavior. Everyone is a good sport, and the chiding seems to be born from a place of love, not veiled, passive-aggressive hatred. That's an important difference to make. The more comfortable you feel around your co-workers, the more easily you can shake off a playful insult or sarcastic nickname. I used to work in kitchens, now THAT was some real next-level nicknaming.

Danielle, sounds like you shrugged off your co-workers Gibson-esque appellation fairly easily. I like to think that the jerks and creepsters like that guy can, when properly dealt with as you seemed to have done, help give attractive young ladies the tools they need to maintain composure in the presence of harassment.