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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - only one without a desk

233 replies

Nurse1980 · 05/07/2023 23:35

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?

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 06/07/2023 16:46

Shocked to hear all the posts about NHS work situation. I work in the public sector but we are very hot on DSE, and H&S generally. I had been contemplating an NHS role but not now!

FOJN · 06/07/2023 17:32

C152 · 06/07/2023 11:47

I'm sorry, OP, but it sounds like they're trying to force you out. Make notes of the conversation(s) you had with your manager regarding needing a desk and don't delay escalating this, in writing, to HR.

Whether the temp needs a desk or not is irrelevant. You need a desk. This is something your manager should have sorted in advance of your return and, if there was a delay finding another desk, a suitable alternative should have been discussed and agreed with you in advance.

I agree with this assessment. It would be unacceptable for anyone to work under the conditions you are expected to but they are prioritising someone on a temp contract over you and don't seem in a hurry to address the desk situation.

I would approach HR for all the reasons previously mentioned and if you are in a Union I would contact your rep.

Keep meticulous records. Follow up all verbal communication with your manager with an email. Use email to reference any conversations you have already had but did not follow up with an email at the time, as in, "when we discussed this on....".

Do not allow them to make you feel less than and meekly accept them edging you out without making a fuss. They need to up their game and be better employers, you are not the problem.

lunar1 · 06/07/2023 18:24

I'd go to the gp and get signed off until I had a desk and chair. This would give me serious back pain

Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 20:39

Thanks everyone.

We’ve had two new managers start together in the past couple of weeks so everything is chaotic at the minute. Neither of them were involved in my back to work or stress risk assessments.

Im not in until next week so I’ll have a word then.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 21:15

Well I’ve just heard from my colleague. They’ve got another desk, but no computer with two screens and I have to work on a laptop.

OP posts:
OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 06/07/2023 21:17

Bring up the DSE legislation. This is not acceptable in any office.

Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 21:18

To work on a laptop isn’t acceptable?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 06/07/2023 21:24

Laptop should be connected to at least monitor and a keyboard and mouse.

Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 21:27

No it’s just a laptop on its own.

OP posts:
OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 06/07/2023 21:29

Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 21:18

To work on a laptop isn’t acceptable?

No you should have screens, mice, keyboard etc....... ask your work for a 1-1 DSE assessment. Get the assessor to come and see your current set up on a filing cabinet and watch the shit hit the fan. If you have any injuries from working like this they are opening themselves up to a legal case. I would take photos of where you are being expected to work.

Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 21:30

I’ve been told that the cabinet as been replaced by a desk now.

OP posts:
category12 · 06/07/2023 21:39

No, it's not acceptable to be expected for long periods on a laptop. Bad for posture, your wrists, etc. You're supposed to have a screen at eye-level and so on.

Put a request in for a DSE assessment, and there's very likely a self-assessment you can access on your intranet.

tass1960 · 06/07/2023 21:43

Catspyjamas17 · 06/07/2023 09:21

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?

I share a desk but we work opposite days. I have an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. The other secretary doesn't. We just swap them round on our last day in. We each have a set of drawers. Would be much harder with a chair though!

Leftbutcameback · 06/07/2023 22:28

The laptop screen will likely be too small, and defo at the wrong height. That’s the main issue with neck pain. The mouse pad or tracker won’t be in the correct place and the keyboard is unlikely to be ok. You need a proper set up (and to stand up for yourself more).

Ragged · 06/07/2023 22:37

pffft. Public sector. None of it surprises me.
OP: how long were off sick for & how much notice did your current manager have that you would be returning?

She may well have had 6 months notice about the return & has been trying for 6 months to get equipment for OP but no one is helping the manager out.

I'm most amused by those saying no desk + only laptop is so terrible. It's the best case scenario for what many of us had to work with in 2020-22

thinkfast · 06/07/2023 22:41

Tell them you are getting dreadful eye strain working from a laptop screen and ask for your workstation to be swapped tomorrow for one with a suitable displays.

LIZS · 06/07/2023 22:48

You need somewhere to work which is hse compliant.

Original poster
Nurse1980 · 06/07/2023 22:49

I’ll be having words, it’s my day off tomorrow so I’ll be speaking to my manager.

We need two screens to work effectively (everyone else has two screens), it will take me forever to pick it up on a laptop.

OP posts:
category12 · 06/07/2023 22:49

Ragged · 06/07/2023 22:37

pffft. Public sector. None of it surprises me.
OP: how long were off sick for & how much notice did your current manager have that you would be returning?

She may well have had 6 months notice about the return & has been trying for 6 months to get equipment for OP but no one is helping the manager out.

I'm most amused by those saying no desk + only laptop is so terrible. It's the best case scenario for what many of us had to work with in 2020-22

It is terrible in an office. Kind of the whole point of an office is the correct equipment and set up.

JaninaDuszejko · 06/07/2023 23:05

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?

We have hot desking. All the desks are standing desks so you can adjust to the correct height. All desks have adjustable chairs, two adjustable screens, a mouse and an extended keyboard (those who want their own keyboard keep them in their lockers). We are a paperless office so everything is done electronically. We do spend the first 10 minutes or so setting up our desks.

I'm most amused by those saying no desk + only laptop is so terrible. It's the best case scenario for what many of us had to work with in 2020-22

My company is shit hot on H&S. Before lockdown started in 2020 we were given training in how to set up a suitable workstation at home and were told to take home from work whatever we needed including desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards, mice etc etc. We all had to complete a DSE assessment for home working in the first month and if we didn't have a suitable workstation at home we could go back to site (we are keyworkers and many people had to work on site). There is really no excuse for not keeping your workers safe.

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/07/2023 05:50

Even if you now have a desk it's still not OK for you to still be working on a laptop. They need to provide the basic equipment needed for your job and if that is 2 screens then you need 2 screens. You're going to have to keep pushing.

However it does make me laugh all these people saying 'take a day off sick and it will be sorted tomorrow'. Clearly they've never worked for the NHS. My colleague worked on an ipad on a wheelie bin for months because the ordering process for a desk raiser took forever. She had been assessed as needing one, just the processes it has to go through to actually get it were ridiculous. I donated her mine when I left for maternity leave. But those were reasonable adjustments for an injury, your situation is just the basic needs to fulfil your role.

Quiverer · 07/07/2023 07:22

This is all looking perilously like discrimination. Mention that one to HR and it should make them twitch.

TeachesOfPeaches · 07/07/2023 07:28

Sounds like they want you to leave due to all the time you've had off

RLT24 · 07/07/2023 07:32

I’d request a work space assessment immediately for your new ‘workspace’, which will inevitably flag up all sorts of health and safety issues, this can then be sent to HR for them to action immediately. Personally I’d also put in writing that you are working under protest due to lack of health and safety which is a breach of your employment contract. Speak to ACAS also.

Coleslawclara · 07/07/2023 07:33

How appalling! No idea how senior management think this is acceptable. Ridiculous and a discrimination case waiting to happen. It must make you feel so awful as well, given all you’ve overcome to get back to work.