My co-worker always mispronounces my name. No matter how many times I've told her she always says it wrong. I don't know if it's personal or if I should take offense but it's weird. How do I deal with her?
Hmm... first, you didn't attach your name to this submission so I can't even attempt to guess why it might be happening.
First, ditch the assumption of malice. While it could be intentional, it's more likely laziness, obliviousness, or just plain a mental block. Don't jump to conclusions that will only fuel your frustration.
Why do I say that? It happened to Kamala Harris throughout her entire presidential campaign. I'm not even talking about people who were purposely mispronouncing it (ahem, Trump). I'm talking about her actual supporters. I heard Whoopi Goldberg on The View, and every interview Bill Clinton did (actually on The View, too) say Kamala's name wrong all the time. Once, Whoopi was even commenting about how people are mispronouncing it just to get under Kamala's skin. The irony! So, even as Whoopi did everything she could to get Kamala elected -- and lectured people on how to say her name -- the truth is, it happens.
Before escalating, try one more direct, but lighthearted, approach. Catch your co-worker in a relaxed moment and say something like, "Hey, [co-worker's name], I know it's no big deal, but I just wanted to quickly clarify my name again. It's [your correctly pronounced name], like [rhyming word or short phrase to help them remember]". The key is to keep it friendly and not accusatory.
If the gentle reminder fails or you feel it would be too awkward to do, consider looping in a trusted colleague. Explain the situation to them and ask if they'd be willing to subtly correct your co-worker when they hear the mispronunciation. Having someone else chime in can often be more effective than you repeatedly doing it yourself.
If the mispronunciation persists despite your efforts, and it's genuinely affecting your work environment or self-esteem, it's time to consider involving your manager or HR. Frame it as a communication issue, not a personal vendetta. Explain that you've tried addressing it directly, but the continued mispronunciation is disruptive and creates an unprofessional atmosphere.
I also flash back to Kamala. If a woman of her stature and status can brush it off and deal with it, you can, too.
Now, if you feel it's something that's targeted or bullying, that's a different story.
Ultimately, you can only control your own actions and reactions. While it's reasonable to expect respect, some people will just be stubborn or unobservant. Don't let their behavior steal your joy or undermine your confidence.