Conversations about workplace culture often reveal differing preferences and expose deeply rooted values. In the Philippines, discussions about whether employees should address superiors by their first names or use honorifics such as “Sir” or “Ma’am” have gained strong reactions online. At the heart of the debate is a larger question: what does respect look like in the Filipino workplace, and who gets to define it? In many companies abroad, especially in Western settings, first-name basis is the norm. Employees casually address managers and even CEOs by their given names, often as a way to promote openness and reduce hierarchy. In […]... Keep on reading: Sir, Ma’am, or just your name? Decoding respect at work