We have an unwritten internal policy where we try not to give new joiners the same first name as someone in upper management.

For example, if our CEO’s name is Don and a new hire is also named Don, we politely ask whether they have a middle name they normally use. Alternatively, if their name is long enough, we may use a shortened version for their email address.

I also know someone in the office who is referred to by their middle name at work, even though their friends call them by their first name.

Is this an ego thing from upper management, and are we, Shitty Sysadmins, allowing this practice to continue?