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Original poster

Colleague spreading his stuff on my desk

138 replies

Notyouthful · 11/12/2025 08:58

Have asked him many times not to do this. Currently in training so unable to move desks. When he went to the toilet I put all his stuff on his desk. He was upset on returning. Raised this with the development coach and she had a word with him. He still does this.

What are we supposed to do with him?

OP posts:
HouseWithASeaView · 11/12/2025 09:09

I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean. What stuff does he have? How much of your desk is it covering? Do you mean a few edges of his paperwork are coming into your area or he has family photos in the middle of your desk? I’m not sure I’ve ever come across this as an issue - and I feel as though I have dealt with a lot of desk related issues in my life!

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 11/12/2025 09:07

It's weird for him to do that in the first place; it's even more weird to get angry or upset when it's moved back to his own desk, rather than a sheepish "Oops, sorry".

Brefugee · 11/12/2025 09:07

put anything that lands on your desk that is not yours in a box. Do not let him have access to the box.

Just before lunch, and just before the end of the day, put the box on his desk.

lather rinse and repeat.

QueenArnica · 11/12/2025 09:07

OP I would ask him outright, “What do you hear when I say please stop putting your things on my desk?”

He’s either got to say that he’s heard exactly what you said in which case you can ask, “why are you not respecting a reasonable request” or if he claims he didn’t know you can take the opportunity to clarify again for him and check he understands.

I would then follow up with an email copying in a manager spelling out all the occasions you have spoken to him culminating in this last one when you have checked he has understood your request.

This is highly likely to be power play and you need to take yourself out of the game by asserting your boundary. Please don’t sucked into keep moving his stuff back, he’s not worth your energy and it’s probably what he wants.

Good luck!

BruceAndNosh · 11/12/2025 09:05

Put all your desk stuff right at the edge of your desk where it meets hism

MMO · 11/12/2025 09:04

Can you pull the desks apart slightly so there is a gap?
If not ask your development coach for a desk divider.

Rattai · 11/12/2025 09:03

How did he voice his upset??

chunkyBoo · 11/12/2025 09:02

Why is he putting stuff on your desk … or is it crossing over onto your side ? If so just shove it back or ask for a desk a
separator

Rattai · 11/12/2025 09:01

Spill coffee on it? Ooops

Gagagardener · 11/12/2025 09:01

Tell him: My desk, my stuff. Your desk, your stuff. Next time, put it on his chair.

paradisecircus · 11/12/2025 09:00

Keep moving it back. If he's upset, remind him not to do it. Bit of a pain for you though.

Yamahahaha · 11/12/2025 09:00

Clearly a variation of man-spreading. Dick.

IndolentCat · 11/12/2025 08:59

Just keep moving his things back. What kind of stuff is it, and is he deliberately keeping it on your desk or is he a bit untidy and it accidentally spreads over into your space?