AIBU - only one without a desk

[Nurse1980]

Hi,

I recently returned to work following an episode of sickness.

We all had our own desk in the office (including myself). I’ve come back, and a six month temporary member of staff is now at the desk that was mine.

So Im having to use a laptop and sit at a filing cabinet, as I’ve no desk. I’m also disadvantaged as our job is much easier with two screens (all desks have two screens).

I’ve brought it up with my manager and was told that she was working on it.

I’m not sure if I’m overreacting (been off with stress and PTSD) and just finished my phased return. So I’m more sensitive than normal perhaps?

This.

It is bullying, but don't put this on the temp needing a desk more, everyone should have a desk both the temp and the OP.

This, absolutely. I would also raise a complaint with HR.

Yanbu. This feels like punishment for you being off sick. Definitely raise it up the management chain and with hr.

You’re not “hot desking”. You haven’t been given a suitable place to work. It’s completely unacceptable and you need to be much firmer about it. The company aren’t the one who will end up with a long term health problem (back or neck would be my guess). Put it in writing, to your manager and HR by email. If you don’t get anywhere try calling HSE.

Check with HR. Doesn’t sound right to me at all.

I agree, ask for a DSE assessment and also escalate up if your manager isn't doing anything. It is unacceptable and more stress that you don't need when you're just back from sick leave. Just wanted to say congratulations too, I had to have a period off with the same and it was hard going back even though I love my job and have a supportive team.

H&S consultant here.
The term you need is that you need a
Display Screen Equipment risk assessment immediately as there are in breach of the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992. If the company is large enough to have an in house Health and Safety Team, then see them. Otherwise HR.
Sone one above linked to the standard HSE self assessment form. So if you want to be proactive them complete it first to identify everything that's wrong and put it in writing to your manager and HR.
As you were off with Stress you should have had a managed return to work which would include making sure your environment isn't a trigger. You can also ask to see the company risk assessment for stress.
I suspect they are trying to make you quit

If the office is 'hot desking' then the place would be organised around that. All desks identically equipped and staff with lockers for their effects.

OTOH if everybody has an allocated desk then that's how it works. Some places will likely be seen as better/worse - draughty, near the printer etc. You cannot be expected to work sitting at a filing cabinet; as above it fails a workstation assessment before you've started.

Either you're found a desk with your team or if not possible (space) adjacent or in another team. Failing that they let you WFH, even if you cannot do full duties, until they've found a solution.

Really sorry this is happening!
First up, do you have everything recorded on emails? Does work have an occupational health department?
I'd be requesting a DSE risk assessment and going to HR. Keep it factual and try to keep emotion out of it, you do not have a safe workstation, and as a result you are unable to perform your duties.
This is potentially bullying, and definitely piss poor management.

Hi, it’s the NHS would you believe!

I may ask to be based at our other site (a desk there), but that wouldn’t be great for me at the minute as I’ll be working on my own and I’m new to the Trust.

This sounds likly. I'd also get advice from a union and ACAS as this could sound like unfair dismissal (constructive dismissal) because of a protected characteristic (disability).

Well - the NHS does have occ health, HR and a legal team who would be wincing at such behaviour by your manager. You need to talk to your union and escalate!

What about you, don't you need one too?

That's appalling, it should have been sorted before you returned.

I work for the NHS and part way f my Trust's Statutory and Mandatory training (MAST) is to do with ensuring your workspace is safe. Every three years I have to do 'safety in the workplace' online test to show that I know how high my chair should be, how far under the table my knees should be and how high my monitor should be.....and the requirement to report this if it isn't the case.
Whilst they like us to think they are doing this to look after this, they are also doing it to prevent the costs they could incur from occupational injury arising from having a crap desk set up.
I am amazed that your boss thinks your set up is permitted!

If someone is off / out of the office I can go on their desk. But I still don’t think it’s fair that I’m the one who has to hot desk and no one else does.

It's not a hot desk stop calling it that!

It's an unsuitable work area which is a H&S issue. Ask for a desk assessment as PP said, quote the relevant sources.

You are not hot desking. They do not have enough desks and are bullying you. Please speak to your union rep. Today if possible.

Tell manager you can't continue to work like this.
Stick up for yourself op.
What a shitty thing to do.
Elevate this to HR and your boss's boss immediately.
What a CF
You deserve to be treated much better than this

and employers wonder why we want to WFH?

As an aside, how does hot desking work when people have their desk set up individually so they don't get back problems and RSI?

Tell your manager that you need the desk, and the temp can use whatever it is that she says she's working on.

How long can it take to "work on" sorting out a desk anyway?

I can't understand why you haven't been to HR and Occupational Health already, to be honest. I suggest you go to see them first thing this morning, armed with those regulations quoted upthread, and say you have tried several times to resolve this through your manager, please can they now sort it out immediately.

Every nhs job that I’ve had that requires long time at a desk has had a display equipment risk assessment. It’s usually on the intranet. Find it and complete it and two your manager you won’t be able to do any work until you have a suitable work station

This.

Do not accept this treatment.