To think this was rude and to be pissed off!

[Loveduppenguin]

I have a hybrid job. Today is usually a wfh day but for a myriad of reasons I was on site today. I opted to sit at a colleagues desk (as she is an A/L) and as my desk was taken by my desk share counterpart. Anyway, I had a massage at 12:00 for a half hour, I went to that and on the way back I grabbed a sandwich to eat at my desk so I was gone for about 35-40 mins in total. Not unusual at all! When I got back another colleague (not in my dept) had unplugged my laptop and moved it to another desk as she claimed she wanted the desk with two screens and knew colleague was on A/L. There were plants of other desks available. She could have gone to another office to find a desk with two screens. AIBU to be pissed off! 😠 I mean who does that!

How incredibly rude of that person, the plugged in laptop is a clear sign the desk is in use..I can’t even imagine how they could think this is acceptable behaviour

Yeah I’m actually more pissed off now than I was earlier

Why didn't you confront them!
"Why have you moved my computer?"

To be honest I was so taken aback, I asked where my stuff was and she said “it’s over there sorry I really needed the two screens!”

It was rude of the colleague. In my office we have to use lock cables to secure the laptop to the desk so that they can't be removed/stolen when you're away from the desk.

This.

you can't disconnect someone's laptop- if it's plugged in obviously in use. If the other person wanted a two monitor desk then find one that's not in use!!!

Etiquette surely dictates that one doesn't move a colleagues in-use laptop when there are other desks available? Shocking behaviour that i can't imagine would be tolerated in any well-run company...

What about pre-covid? Were you bringing your PC to the local sandwich bar? Or it an issue with the portability and management don't trust their employees not to steal?

OP said lunchtime

I'd definitely have been annoyed by this.

Is it too late to say something now? I'd be incredibly pissed off!

Very rude, no way would anyone in my offices do that.

Yes that's pretty rude.

Why? Isn't that unnecessary hassle for you, let alone the person you are pointlessly booting out?

It sounds like the other desks didn't have a double monitor though. In my work you wouldn't move people's belongings from a regular desk but there are some spaces which have specific features which need to be available for people to use when needed so you wouldn't leave your belongs at those stations while going for lunch. This is why I said the etiquette can vary from office to office depending on the set up.

I already said sorry, mum!!

i appreciate what you're saying an wouldn't personally be without my 3 screens (by choice), but you're crossing the line unplugging and moving someone's in-use laptop (IMHO). It's not like it's a Bloomberg terminal (unless it is?)

danger of posting pre reading the whole thread!!! :)

It’s absolutely not more hassle for me to boot people out as opposed to trying and find another free desk on a different floor. Or risk sitting in a desk that somebody else booked and then having to find somewhere else.

It’s easier, much much much easier, for me to take my booked desk and leave the hassle of trying to find a free one on the person who is sitting where they should not be.

The only time it’s less hassle is days like Friday when the office is nearly empty and most seats are free.

I also don’t get how I am pointlessly booting somebody if I have booked the seat and they have not?

apologies if i misunderstood, but saying 'hundreds' available on Fridays would infer that there were dozens available other days, or mon-fri 100% booked in? Also, why piss off senior management especially, that can't help your career, surely?

No no no.

Friday barely anybody comes in so always desks free.

The middle of the week is packed and frequently all desks are fully booked.

People who sit in a desk they have not booked do so because they hope that person just won’t show and they won’t have to try and see what’s available on a different floor / different section. (Or they have just decided they want that desk instead.)

That’s their issue not mine. I always book.

I have no issue pissing off senior management and won’t kiss arse or make my life harder solely for “career purposes”. I am fine where I am in my career. But also our senior management aren’t arseholes and will not hold it against anybody for asserting their rights to their space. I would never work in that kind of place.

Would be viewed as extraordinarily rude and likely noted and spoken to about.

This is really bloody basic manners.
You do not touch the stuff of anyone else, much less their laptop.

I would be very tempted to tell her that you were running something and you now have lap top issues.

I also would be tempted to ask HR to clarify etiquette to this staff member as she appears really confused on how hot desks etc., sharing desks work.

Rude, disrespectful and not acceptable.

That's so rude. I can't believe she did it! It wouldn't even cross my mind.