Cognition allows users to have a ‘Display First Name’ that can differ from their legal name which is commonly fed over in user imports. This allows flexibility for the system to refer to users by the name they actually use while still allowing preservation of the name that matches imports or user uploads that might come from your HRIS system.

To enable Display Name requests or learn more, contact your support specialist.

Here’s a break down of how First Names work in Cognition:

Name Fields

Users now have two distinct first name fields in the system: ‘HR First Name’ & ‘Display First Name.’

HR First Name

• This is the name that is automatically set by data from imports or uploads

• By default, this is the name that will be used for HR Sign-offs, such as digital acknowledgments in Compliance modules

• In User Administration, this name is only visible to and editable by EAs

Display First Name

• This is the name that will appear throughout the system for the user including on ILT rosters, user searches, and reports

• By default, ‘Display First Name’ will match the ‘HR First Name’ that is populated by imports or user uploads

• Users can request changes to their 'Display First Name' (if enabled) or it can be modified in User Administration (see below)

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Names & Sign-offs

Digital acknowledgements in the system such as Compliance or OJT Acknowledgements, Performance Review, or Progressive Development acknowledgements will show the name of the associate who completed the acknowledgement as a sort of digital signature.

The name that is used in these sign-offs will default to use ‘HR First Name’ but can be set to use the associate’s ‘Display First Name’ instead in user administration by an Enterprise Administrator or as part of a request from the associate.

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Display Name Requests

If enabled in System Settings, users can request updates to their ‘Display First Name’ and/or to use their Display Name for HR Sign-offs instead of their ‘HR First Name.’

These requests can either be auto-approved or can require review by an Enterprise Administrator.

See here for more information about request settings.

Requesting a Display Name Update

To request a Display Name update, users can go to their Profile and click 'I go by a different name.'

Here the user will request one or both of the following:

1. An updated 'Display First Name'

2. Use of their 'Display First Name' on HR sign-offs

Reviewing Display Name Requests

If requests are set up to require approval by an Enterprise Administrator, an EA will be able to review those requests under the 'My Tasks' widget on the EA dashboard.

On the review page, you will be able to review each request and either approve or decline each part of the request.

Once approved, the requested changes are immediately applied to the user’s profile.

For more information about how these name fields are used in reports, dynamic documents, and more; see Additional Display Name Settings & Data Considerations.