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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Desk taken at work while on maternity

459 replies

Flopsy145 · 25/01/2022 04:23

I'm coming to the end of my maternity leave and have found out that a man in my team has moved into my desk while I've been off and replaced it with a standing desk. I love my desk, it has a window and privacy which I need more than him in the role I'm in, and I can see my daughter's nursery.
He's on more money than me, and didn't even ask to have my desk, which still has a locked cupboard of mine next to it which I need.
The desk I've been moved to is pretty shit.
AIBU to demand my desk back?

OP posts:
DottyHarmer · 25/01/2022 09:47

Is the public sector the only place where they still have secretaries - whoops - personal assistants ?

When my office was refurbished some years ago I decreed (well, not so harshly!) that no one could personalise their desk space, ie no family photos/inspirational plaques/cat pictures etc etc. There was some coming and going of staff/part-time etc and it was unreasonable to hog a desk and make it into a nest. 99% of staff were very pleased (except the cat picture woman…).

SportsMother · 25/01/2022 09:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Notjustanymum · 25/01/2022 09:48

hot-desking

Soontobe60 · 25/01/2022 09:50

When a child in my class complains that someone else has ‘taken his pencil / rubber / ruler’ I always ask ‘ is it yours from home?’. If the answer is no - which it always is - I point out that ‘it’s not your pencil, it’s schools and we share school stuff’.
So, unless you bought the actual desk, then you’re being very U. Also, sitting watching your child’s nursery through the window is also very U, it’s akin to stalking!

Wnkingawalrus · 25/01/2022 09:53

You need to make a formal complaint that the relocation is materially detrimental to your wellbeing at work and to your ability to perform your duties and that it being firces through while you were on leave is discriminatory.

I really wouldn’t do this. If you say changing desks is detrimental to your well being they will think you are batshit and probably unfit to return to work.

imoutofhere · 25/01/2022 09:55

I wouldn't want a standing desk, but besides that, I don't think you can pick and chose where you sit.

Being able to see your daughter's nursery is irrelevant. You're there to work, not look out the window at your daughter!

MabelsApron · 25/01/2022 09:56

Maternity discrimination. I've heard it all now.

Soontobe60 · 25/01/2022 09:58

@PrincessNikla

If OP had been in the office when this change was first suggested then she probably would have been able to stop it. (Or it would not have been considered in the first place?)

Therefore she has been disadvantaged by being on maternity leave?

Absolute nonsense. Just because she might have been -resent doesn’t men she would have had a say in moving desks - unless she’s the CEO!. Maybe they used the opportunity to mover her desk in order to stop her spending her day staring out of the window at the nursery?
Original poster
Flopsy145 · 25/01/2022 09:58

@Notjustanymum

I voted YABU, as most companies are moving to hot-decking in the industry I work in. Get privacy screens for your monitors to prevent him from reading over your shoulder, and address any issues of noise as they happen. You are lucky to have an on-site Nursery, but you have to let them look after your baby while you are working. Have you considered that part of the reason for the move could be to remove your potential distraction by moving you away from the view of the nursery? I think in this case, to demand “your” spot in the office back, or to pull the discrimination card because of a desk move would have an adverse effect on anyone wanting to go on maternity leave in future…
No not at all, it's not a distraction as it's just the front of the building I could see if I turned and looked, I shouldn't have even mentioned it as it really isn't that important but it was 4am when I wrote the post haha. Also thinking about it this morning, I think a building has since been built next to us which blocks the view of it anyway.
OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 25/01/2022 09:59

I'm so happy my team all work at home. I have never in my life seen something turn a group of grown ass adults into tantruming children as much as a desk reorg. Childish fits abound if you dare move someone from their preferred desk where they can skive and no one can see...

Soontobe60 · 25/01/2022 10:02

[quote Flopsy145]@girlmom21 given the roles of everyone else I am, I would do all the office restock, sort out equipment, get new starters set up, arrange with people if something needed to come and be fixed/delivered. So no not an office manager, but the closest thing to one compared to other roles[/quote]
That sounds more like an office junior role tbh. I know when I was in the civil service, the person doing this was a CA

SchadenfreudePersonified · 25/01/2022 10:02

I'm considering just telling him 'im coming back on x date, if you could make sure my desk is clear by then that would be great, thanks!' and seeing what he says?

Do this.

If he doesn't comply, and work doesn't support you, then wit until he has a day off and swap them back.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 25/01/2022 10:03

@SportsMother

I would be quite clear to him and LM.

Dear LM, given the confidentiality of the material on my screens I see it as essential that I have a desk that is not overlooked. As you know this is why I had the previous desk space.
Can I ask that it is returned ASAP
CF, this is in no way meant to be offensive to you, and I am in no way suggesting that you would behave inappropriately. But for the sake of good practice, and the privacy of those whose information will be visible this is the simplest solution. I’m sure you understand.

Ta!

Yes! This!
D0lphine · 25/01/2022 10:05

Sounds like a simple question but have you asked the guy if he would mind swapping spots?

Have you said "Derek, would you mind swapping desks?" With no follow up or reasons?

He might say "sure" because it's not a big deal.

megladon2020 · 25/01/2022 10:06

I think Yabu. I haven't had my own allocated desk in the workplace for 10 years. Everyone hot desks, apart from the few people who have had work/ desk space assessments so bigger screens/ two screens/ other specialist equipment etc. we also deal with confidential information (child protection stuff) so I don't think your arguments hold up.

TameDucksAtChatsworth · 25/01/2022 10:07

@D0lphine

Sounds like a simple question but have you asked the guy if he would mind swapping spots?

Have you said "Derek, would you mind swapping desks?" With no follow up or reasons?

He might say "sure" because it's not a big deal.

Best way forward.
Original poster
Flopsy145 · 25/01/2022 10:08

@Soontobe60 it's not a junior role. It's just we all take on additional responsibilities as we can't just hire new people in given budget constraints. I'm the only one in an adminstrative position so it made sense to fall to my role, done so before I joined anyway. But just because it's an administrative position doesn't mean it's junior, I'm on a very good salary and have a number of high level responsibilities as well as more general admin

OP posts:
neverbeenskiing · 25/01/2022 10:11

I have never in my life seen something turn a group of grown ass adults into tantruming children as much as a desk reorg.

A former colleague of mine once described the experience of being asked to move to a different desk as "dehumanising". She was completely serious.

TheFishWillSeeYouNow · 25/01/2022 10:17

YANBU! I'd email him, cc his manager, along the lines of 'hi James, just to give you a heads up I'll be back from leave on 12th Feb, so you will need to have replaced my desk in its usual spot by then. Looking forward to catching up when I'm back in'.

Pky45 · 25/01/2022 10:17

@SportsMother

I would be quite clear to him and LM.

Dear LM, given the confidentiality of the material on my screens I see it as essential that I have a desk that is not overlooked. As you know this is why I had the previous desk space.
Can I ask that it is returned ASAP
CF, this is in no way meant to be offensive to you, and I am in no way suggesting that you would behave inappropriately. But for the sake of good practice, and the privacy of those whose information will be visible this is the simplest solution. I’m sure you understand.

Ta!

This is just complete nonsense, loads of people do “confidential” work in open plan offices, all you need is a monitor privacy screen
CatJumperTwat · 25/01/2022 10:18

I understand feeling territorial over a desk, especially when you're feeling a bit vulnerable anyway coming back from maternity leave. But you really will only make yourself look petty and childish if you complain, or do any of the idiotic things suggested on this thread. You'll get used to your new desk in a few weeks.

SatinHeart · 25/01/2022 10:18

Similar thing happened to me both times I went on mat leave. In my experience unless you and the person who took your spot share a manager who is willing to intervene on your behalf, there isn't a lot you can do about it.

Viviennemary · 25/01/2022 10:20

It's annoying but I'm sure everyone would prefer their choice of desks. Kick up a fuss if you like, or go to the Manager. But if they still say no you will look foolish IMHO.

Kirst26 · 25/01/2022 10:22

Why would you need to see the nursery while you are working?

Is the issue more that he will be able to see your screens while you are both there at the same time? You can get those filters that clip onto your screens so that they arent readable unless you are right in front of them. I used to have them when I sat with the printer right behind me...

DappledThings · 25/01/2022 10:25

@SportsMother

I would be quite clear to him and LM.

Dear LM, given the confidentiality of the material on my screens I see it as essential that I have a desk that is not overlooked. As you know this is why I had the previous desk space.
Can I ask that it is returned ASAP
CF, this is in no way meant to be offensive to you, and I am in no way suggesting that you would behave inappropriately. But for the sake of good practice, and the privacy of those whose information will be visible this is the simplest solution. I’m sure you understand.

Ta!

This is so OTT.