To think work should do something or am I being a brat?

[LookingForAlaskas]

We had a new seating plan and my friend was moved away from me despite reassurances that she wouldn’t be (we work well and do not distract each other).

I’m now sat barely near anyone else in my team and feel very excluded.

I’m going through things outside of work and I have bad depression and anxiety at times. I come into work now and dread it.

I honestly get work is not a social event and I do work hard and hit my expected targets.

I know it sounds pathetic but it’s starting to get to me mentally and my manager couldn’t care less despite there being a big push at work regarding mental health awareness.

Why do you think that management have done this?

That's what so many of us keep asking, Muddled

I'm genuinely trying not to make assumptions, but in the absence of any reply it's hard not to think that, if there was no reason for this at all, OP would have said so

You ok hon?

I know what you mean.
Apparently going to work is good for us and stops us being isolated. But on the other hand you're not there to socialise. The double standards drive me nuts.

We actually had a case in another office at my work where someone was promised support including a friend sitting nearby and when it was withdrawn they left and went for constructive dismissal.

Lets dispel this myth - they may have "tried " threatening their employer with Constructive Dismissal but I bet you their chances were

"We had a new seating plan and my friend was moved away from me despite reassurances that she wouldn’t be (we work well and do not distract each other)."

This sounds like one of those 'If teenagers were on AIBU...' posts!

I do understand how you're feeling, OP. But it's important that you get out of your comfort zone, as you wouldn't be able to sit with your friend forever.
I hope you feel better soon

@daisychain1

I have not put more details in because it could be recognised. It was actually heard at Tribunal although the complainant lost. It was reported on their website. The incident of being moved was a pertinent issue which caused someone to resign. I know quite a bit about it, because someone in my team was the person’s line manager.

Correction the complainant withdrew.

There is actually research from Gallup done over 30 years that shows that having a best friend at work improves employee engagement and productivity, www.gallup.com/workplace/236213/why-need-best-friends-work.aspx

"Our research has repeatedly shown a concrete link between having a best friend at work and the amount of effort employees expend in their job. For example, women who strongly agree they have a best friend at work are more than twice as likely to be engaged (63%) compared with the women who say otherwise (29%)."

This includes:
"36% fewer safety incidents
7% more engaged customers
12% higher profit"

Have a chat with your manager OP about feeling isolated and perhaps think about how it is affecting your work performance, and any suggestions you have for where you would like to be. Good luck!

This sounds like a complaint we get in school about how unfair it is that Sarah had to be in 9A but all her friends are in 9B, or Michael is being bullied and excluded because the 3 students who would talk too much have been separated.

Clearly a conversation has taken place for the OP to be under the impression they've had reassurances that they won't get split from their friend. Unless we know why the move has happened none of us can properly advise.
It's reasonable to mention lone working away from the team. It's not reasonable to complain because you and your friend get your work done whilst chatting.

Tabby That's true but it doesn't mean people need to be sat with their besties. We spend most of our days in separate classrooms and still have work friends.
For what it's worth, if I have to be in the staffroom with certain chatty mates during my PPA time I can hardly think straight because all they do is talk. I'm sure they think they get loads done, but it's irritating for anyone actually wanting to work without hearing about so and SO's divorce, their child's struggles at lunch time etc.

Is there any chance you've been leaning on your work friend a little too much during work hours and she'd like it better if you caught up more outside work instead so you can both get on?

I worked in call centres. Went from being in the phones to a senior manager.

Isolating someone from the team by sitting them somewhere else, is bad for productivity. It's not good for morale.

I would totally understand a staff member saying they want to be with their team.

However the 'I want to sit next to my friend's wouldnt fly. It certainly would not be recommended by Occupational Health. Because for a start what if the other person decides they dont want to sit next to them. What if they fall out what if other complain that actually, they are really bitchy about others (not saying op is).

Sitting with the team maybe, if it's making the OP feel isolated. Sitting next to a friend, wont be.

You are being childish. Concentrate properly on your work then meet up with your friends at lunchtime