Boss asks employee to sign emails as the person they replaced: 'His explanation was that customers are used to dealing with her'

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Oct 7, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

What is one supposed to do in this situation?

When you get hired somewhere, it's probable that you're going to have to make some adjustments on entry. You never truly know what a job is going to be like until you're two feet in, and then you probably already have something to lose. The person in this story was starting at a new job and didn't quite realize what it would have in store for them until it was too late. The way they saw it, they were trying to fit in at a new place of work. The way their employers saw it, they wanted continuous service for their customers, but with a strange twist.

It never looks good when a company has a lot of turnover. You probably assume that something is amiss with the job when they're always hiring a new person for the same positions. Companies generally try to avoid this, to varying degrees of success. If you treat your workers well, you should expect to keep them. If you're not, then they might slip through the cracks before you even notice. But if you're hemorrhaging employees, the least you can do is be honest about it. To the people you work with, and to the people you serve. That's what was going on here, but the employer was being sneaky about it.

*_{Representative only.}*

*A businesswoman looks confused at her desk*

My boss wants me to keep signing emails as the person I replaced.

A regular customer added a note to an order email today asking how my daughter was settling into college. I don't have children.

I'm six weeks into a job handling quotes and orders at a small printing company. The woman I replaced left before I started, so we never met. Her old email now forwards into our sales inbox. I answer those messages, but my manager wants me to keep her name in the signature.

At first I thought it was a template nobody had updated. I signed a reply with my own name and he told me to change it back. His explanation was that customers are used to dealing with her and don't need to worry about staff changes.

I suggested signing as the sales team, or adding a short introduction when I reply. He said that would make the service feel less personal and we should leave things as they are. There wasn't an argument, just a very definite instruction.

Today's email has made it feel much weirder. I dealt with the order and left the personal bit unanswered, but these are people who have spoken to her for years. Eventually someone's going to call and want to speak to her. I need this job, and the rest of it has been decent so far. How do I raise this again without getting dismissed as the new person making a fuss over an email signature?

This employer asked their new employee to do something pretty strange. Nobody wants to feel like they're being asked to do something potentially nefarious. They wondered why they were being asked to impersonate someone else. When you do your job, you want the credit for it. You put so much time and effort into your workplace, and you're expecting a little something in return. Not just money, but recognition. Something you can put on your resume. Something you can be proud of. But this employee was being denied even that. Keep reading to see what happened here, and let us know in the comments what you think about it.

Commenters gave their opinions and takes on the story.

Themetrios666 Hope they have a door because you may need to use it soon.

*_{Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.}*
A stressed young businesswoman looks at her computer, upset

West_Guarantee284 How is introducing yourself in the reply "less personal" your manager is an . I'd put my name on it but how much trouble would you get into for doing this?

WholeAd2742 Absolutely not. That's technically fraud, and your boss seems willing to throw you under the bus if it comes down to it If the client had an issue and needed to file a claim against your company, YOU would potentially be at risk for knowingly assuming someone else's identity via email.

thebug 50 This feels gross and unnecessary. At a minimum, I'd have the boss's orders in writing to CYA. Then being that you really need the job, I'd keep kicking the can as you're doing. Following the

instruction to leave the old name, and avoiding engaging with personal questions. Eventually the jig will be up, at which point I point to the written instruction from my management.

flynena-3 Absolutely not, I would refuse that. Now you are in this position and now it's your turn to build that personal relationship with these clients. Why should you not get to do that? What if they ever needed to speak

to you on the phone? This is such a bizarre and absurd decision! He's making this into so much of a bigger thing than it needs to be. All it takes is a fresh email to the clients, or replying to any email that comes in from them, stating your name and

that you will now be the person handling this stuff, obviously phrased in a much more professional way lol. You're not only giving your name but you're giving your email address and phone number so that they know how to reach you when they need. No mention needs to be made of this other

person. If they write back and ask, just say you're not sure what happened, as they were no longer there when you came on board so you don't have any information on them. Which is the truth.

I would tell him absolutely not, you are not comfortable with that and that since you are now in this position, it's important for you to start establishing your own relationship with these clients. So going forward, if he wants you to continue to

do your job, you will need to start signing your name and using your email address. Because ultimately, any work you do, you are responsible for. Also, it is fraudulent to answer an email with someone else's name as if you are them so tell him for that reason as

well, you are highly uncomfortable doing this and can no longer continue it. If he pushes back, just say- this is not negotiable. If you want me to stay in this position then this is how it will need to be. Let me know what your decision is. I will not be responding to any emails or doing anything under this other person's name.

WatashiwaNobody Desu Do you also need to wear a wig and use the same perfume?

bloo_monkey Get ahold of the person you replaced and let her know they are still using her name. Problem will fix itself.

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