To think a colleague has no right to take something from your desk and throw it in the bin?

[WildflowerChild]

I’m not talking about food/drink.

5S no personal items on a desk, lean training black belt. Keep personal stuff at home. Thank you cards from suppliers in a binder to show come your annual review.

It was something like a postcard, photograph etc ... something small and personal that was given to me.

A keepsake card with a photo of Boris in his y-fronts? I'd have thrown it out.

Worth clicking on that link just for that!

If it is a item like you described no, if they had an issue with it I would expect them to ask you not to display it or if they message on it was particularly offensive I would expect them to have approached someone more senior requesting that it would be removed.

However, if it was something that I knew that cause offence I probably would not display it. To be honest the only personal thing I have on my desk is a plain mug that the handle fell off that use for pens.

Did they throw it away knowing it was yours? Or did they accidentally pick it up from the desk and throw it away thinking it was rubbish?

You shouldn't have been sitting on the desk OP.

It was something like a postcard, photograph etc ... something small and personal that was given to me.

Boyfriend’s foreskin in a jar?

Shrivelled umbilical cord?

Shrunken head of your previous boss?

Used sanitary towel (framed)?

Severed toe?

Baby’s first nappy change installation art work?

Good God! They really do exist!

With an attitude like yours OP lucky they didnt throw you in the bin!

I'm joking. No they have no right to throw a picture/postcard unless it was life size, or one of them ugly family photo shoots where you're all in white t shirts and Jeans...

If you're half as annoying and precious at work as you're being on this thread, then I kind of take their point tbh.

I would bin a postcard

It was something like a postcard, photograph etc ... something small and personal that was given to me.

Merkin?

Flea circus?

Flea-infested merkin?

I didn't know anyone had 'my desk' anymore. I thought they were all considered shared even if you are full time and always sit in the same place.

can't answer this as depends on what it was, why they threw it out and what the company policy is re: personal junk on desks as well as how distracting it is for others. Plus one person's offensive is another's comforting. Generally it's not a good idea to throw out other people's things and most people know that so I expect there is a back story here.

It was something like a postcard, photograph etc ... something small and personal that was given to me.

Dildo?

it is a item like you described no, if they had an issue with it I would expect them to ask you not to display it or if they message on it was particularly offensive I would expect them to have approached someone more senior requesting that it would be removed.

There was nothing offensive about it.

Also we DO NOT HAVE A CLEAR DESK POLICY. YOU CAN HAVE PHOTOS, CARDS OUT ON DISPLAY.

(Offices around the country do work differently)

Also depends if you had been asked already to remove it and refused. Or after repeatedly asking and warning you, your boss removed it.

The item and context really does matter OP.

I would bin a postcard

You’d take a postcode off a colleagues desk, rip it up and bin it?

Of course it bloody matters what it is! Such attention seeking...

Did they know it was yours?
Did they know it wasn't just random paper rubbish and they were being helpful tidying up?
Did they throw anything else away or just target that item?
Did they do it on purpose knowing it was yours?
What did they say when you asked them why they had thrown it away?

It was something like a postcard, photograph etc ... something small and personal that was given to me.

Blood-spattered knife?

AK47?

Was it like a calculator that could appear broke to some people but as it was yours and you were strangely attached to it, you knew the knack to make it work?
Something like that?
If so, it is unreasonable to throw it away

Was it a dildo?

Just ordered a cat’s bun meowing pencil sharpener on amazon. Did I miss the point of the thread?

I actually do have a cat's bum pencil sharpener - a birthday present from my brother.

Oh Haggis - you could have had mine!