To think a seating plan at work is like being treated as a child?

[Needtopaintmynails]

I had a seating plan throughout secondary school.

I assumed as a adult we would be allowed to sit with who we wanted at work (obvious exceptions such as if people distract each other etc).

Our secondary school only had allocated seating on day one in the form group, everything else was pick your own. Except exams, then it went by number.

Teams at work actually do need to sit near each other rather than groups of mates, because the focus should be on getting work done. In the past I've let the team pick their desks within the block once I have mine, I'd only direct new or troublesome ones where to sit. In offices with bad lighting I'm one of the ones with special requirements that needs a window seat, no interior room etc. I always declare it even when it's a good office, just in case something changes; my new team were delighted to be spared the windowless room once just because my eye issues meant I couldn't sit in there. If my client can't provide it then I won't be able to work on their premises and I don't care who gets moved to achieve that.

Hot desking is practical, but people need a place to leave some stuff if they're in every day and most will naturally pick the same seats, so a mixture of fixed / hot desk seating is usually best. It also depends on the quality of the seats whether they'll work for anyone with specific needs.