Using Last Names on Name Tags

Using Last Names on Name Tags

While “John Doe” or “Jane Smith” are a bit more professional, it may not always be appropriate and safe using last names on name tags. Not everyone enjoys wearing a name tag while at work, but most organizations and companies find them necessary for communication and branding. Most restaurants require serving staff to wear personal identification. Name tags and badges are also often seen in retail settings. They are even worn in office buildings.

And, not just cashiers and waitresses wear these identifiers. Managers, security and CEOs also wear name tags on a regular, if not a daily, basis. Name tags are a great way to quickly identify someone if you need help with something. And, as such, they are often a required part of a work uniform.

Having a person’s full name on a name tag can be quite helpful to a consumer, however it may also be dangerous to the employee who is wearing the name tag. These name tags have been recently scrutinized for their validity. Safety issues have also come up in many conversations.

Question: Why would having both your first and last name on a name tag be dangerous to an employee?

There have recently been several studies and panels evaluating the usage of first and last names on name tags. They have concluded that a person’s safety and privacy might be endangered outside of the workplace should a consumer attempt to locate or make contact with an employee. However, this misuse of someone’s name has been proven highly unlikely by the same studies as above.

Question: Why would someone need to have both their first and last name on a name tag? Does it depend on the type of work you are doing (i.e. customer service vs lawyer)?

Again, “John Doe” or “Jane Smith” are a bit more professional than “John” or “Jane.” However, some companies and business types require that employees use last names on name tags. Typically wait staff at a restaurant is only identified with a first name. The same goes for someone in a retail situation.

In an office setting last names would be appropriate to use as a more professional way of identifying someone in their current position. By using someone’s last name on their name tag, it provides the prestige that can accompany a specific title in a company. It also helps current and future clientele identify the person with which they need help from.

Question: What happens in situations where security may be a factor, such as detention facilities, schools or hospitals?

Typically in security situations, name tags are used to determine if someone should be where they are. In places like schools these name tags are often used as a means to enter the building. They are also used to help students know who teachers and school workers are. This, in turn, helps them feel more secure.

The argument can be made that first names are not necessary when referring to Mrs. Smith as a teacher. However, the same argument can be made in hospitals that “Jane Smith” might be providing too much personal information to a patient. “Jane” would suffice in this instance.

Using A Last Name On Name Tags

Whether or not to use someone’s last name on a name tag is not necessarily an easy answer. However, in many circumstances, certain levels of personal identification are needed. They provide a service to consumers, and they also provide security in many situations. Make sure your reasons for using last names on name tags fit not only your needs, but your security situation.

SOLUTION: Design name tags specifically for your profession!

Donations: Neighborhood House

Coller Industries prides itself on our contributions to our community. Donations to repeat customers make our work completely worth it.

While we care about all of our customers, we love it when we have customers that feel comfortable coming back to us every year. Part of our community of caring means that we give back to this local community. With being the go-to specialist for all personal identification needs, Coller Industries enjoys donating name tags and other custom items to those who need a little bit of help.

coller industries customer donations to neighborhood house will help with their volunteer efforts

This time, Neighborhood House of Salt Lake City needed our help to keep their costs down. They are a wonderful organization and they work with a lot of people. Constantly needing to identify these individuals can get expensive.

Coller Industries donated name tags for Neighborhood House staff, board and committee members which will help make them more visible during events,” said Breighlin Johanson, Development Coordinator for Neighborhood House.

“Neighborhood House board and committee members are volunteers from our community who donate their time and talent to our Children’s Programs and Adult Day Services, helping make sure we operate an excellent non-profit with high-quality care available to low-income families in Salt Lake,” Johanson further explained.

Logo Name Tags

Logo name tagThese name tags, chosen from a variety of colors, are engraved plastic. Each name tag featured someone’s name, title and the Neighborhood House logo. These name tags are a great representation of how versatile Coller Industries’ products are. Each name tag is personally inspected to make sure it meets our quality standards and then it is sent to the customer.

“Thank you again for Coller Industries’ generosity,” Johanson said. “Donations from partners like Coller Industries allow Neighborhood House to direct funds where they are needed most. This empowers low-income families to access quality, affordable day care and supportive services.”

We are grateful for organizations such as the Neighborhood House. All of our donations are something that help us stand out from our competition. And the best part is working with wonderful people just like this!

Donations: Mrs. Smithson’s Kindergarten Class

Getting a quality education is important to
Coller Industries. So are donations!

As your go-to specialist for personal identification needs, Coller Industries strives to make a difference in our community. Part of this is to donate our time, products and solutions to those in need. Recently we were contact by someone in great need of our assistance.

“Teachers spend a lot out of pocket and having this donation helps (our) eight kindergarten teachers out,” said Michelle Smithson, Kindergarten teacher at Overall Creek Elementary in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Coller Industries donated lanyards and badge holders to help these classrooms with their needs.

“We will be using these lanyards for the students to have their name and library and lunch numbers printed on a tag to be able to independently type in their numbers on the keypad. Even in Kindergarten we, as teachers, are not allowed to help them type this number in for them. Having the lanyards gives them the visual to be able to look and see their numbers. Also having a lanyard helps to easily put them on and for storage,” said Smithson.

Round Corded Lanyards

Cord badge lanyards have length of 36 inches with a J-hook fastener, ideal for badge holders and ID Badges. These simple and inexpensive lanyards come in over a half a dozen classic colors.

Light Weight Badge Holders

These badge holders are a common size (2.25 x 3.5 inches) for meetings, schools and visitor passes. This is an economical vinyl option. The 8 mil vinyl is sturdy enough for light use and provides a few fastener options.

Smithson also explained, “We are in the ‘kid business’ doing our best to instill a love for learning and inquiry through (our) STEAM curriculum.” The donation will help them to stand up to their school goals: to assure academic & personal success for each child.

When given to such a great cause, Coller Industries loves providing these donations. We stand by our customers and strive to help in our community. All of our donations are something that help us stand out from our competition. And the best part is working with wonderful people like this!

Name Tags: Pros and Cons

All personalized identification comes with pros and cons.

Seeing them listed can help you to see why you should be wearing a name tag every day!

PROS and CONS: Case #1

Con, From: A Case Against Name Tags
They’re not very chic. They encourage tacky behavior. And there are better ways to introduce and connect people.

Pro, From: Do the Name Tags at Your Event Suck?
Tools like business cards and name tags are the hardest working elements of high-performance collaboration in meetings, events, and social occasions, and we barely give them a thought when we design them.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
pros and cons for name tags using logos versus just namesName tags and name badges provide necessary corporate and company branding. This branding is important for all marketing needs. It distinguishes you from your competition and helps others to more readily recognize your quality. By using logos on name tags, you can create a focus to help drive your business.

PROS and CONS: Case #2

Con, From: A Case Against Name Tags
If you want get people interacting (at large events), I think you should take a more interesting, active approach. Traditional name tags aren’t just tacky. They’re lazy.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
pros and cons for name tags using logos versus just namesWhile adhesive name badges can be considered tacky, there are less traditional ways of handling large groups. Choose from a variety of other reusable name badge options. Speedy Badges and Mighty Badges are both great for using in large meetings or conventions. Each insert can be printed so names are all the same size. And they can even be printed with colors and logos to make them stand out.

PROS and CONS: Case #3

Con, From: Ditch Those Employee Nametags Now, These Customer Service Experts Say
And then there’s the elephant in the room, so obvious I wasn’t sure I’d even mention it. Employees hate name badges. And the more creative and quirky the employee, the more likely they are to hate them. As the newest generation of employees are millennials, a very, very creative and quirky generation, and it’s best not to start an adversarial relationship with your employee at the word “go,” this is another factor to consider.

Pro, From: Name Tag, Inc.
pros and cons for name tags using logos versus just namesWith a “creative and quirky” generation coming into the work force, name tags can be fun! Make them bright and interactive. Who says a name tag has to be boring? Add logos and graphics. Choose from an abundance of colors. There are metal name tags and plastic name badges. Whatever your choice, personalize it to meet your employee needs.

Overall, name tags are something that should stand out.

Make them memorable with your company branding, customization and personalization!

Donation: Ronald McDonald House Charities

It’s donation time again! And we love bragging about our wonderful customers!

We care about all of our customers. And part of that caring means that we give back to our local community and to all of our customers. With being the go-to specialist for all personal identification needs, Coller Industries likes donating name tags and other custom items to those in need.

customer donation from coller industries to ronald mcdonald house charities of san diego

This time, The Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego needed our help. They are a wonderful organization and they work with a lot of volunteers. And constantly needing to identify these people can get expensive. Coller Industries has worked with this charity to provide name badges for the volunteers.

Reusable badges are a versatile way to get a large quantity of name badges for a great, low price.

Speedy badges

Speedy Badges are easy to assemble and come with a colored frame, and a clear plastic lens. The frames are available in three colors: black, gold or silver. Simply remove any used inserts from the badge and print, or write, a new insert. Use these reusable name badges over and over again. Speedy Badges are a great and inexpensive solution for a reusable name tag. And they are a must for companies with high-turnover positions and volunteers.

“This donation assists us with our daily operations by helping to identify our volunteer staff,” said Vincent Speitel, Volunteer Coordinator, of Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

“The Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego provides a ‘home away from home’ for families with children being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals,” Speitel added.

The Ronald McDonald House relies on community support. It is the only service of its kind that is open to families caring for children at any San Diego area hospital. Thanks to an active volunteer program and generous community support, each year approximately:
• 1,400 families reside with us during their child’s hospitalization.
• 11,000 additional people use our Family Care Center, coming for meals, computer access, and other essential resources.
• 130,000 meals are served free of charge to family members with hospital identification.
• 200 siblings of hospitalized children take part in education and enrichment programs, including the School Away from School and Learn & Play Center.

We are grateful for organizations such as The Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. All of our donations are something that help us stand out from our competition. And the best part is working with wonderful people!