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Original poster

To be upset about being given the worst desk in the office?

126 replies

TeaTowelQueen · 14/07/2025 15:21

Been working for a small firm for 6mths, 16hrs a week doing basic admin. Additional person starting (18yr old apprentice) so had to have a desk shuffle. Told today via email that I will be moved to a small desk, on the end of a block, back to the door and every person in the office will be walking to and fro right behind me for the 4hrs a day I am there.

I really hate it, every time I look at the desk waiting for me I want to cry.

My head knows that I am the lowest in the pecking order (even below both apprentices it appears) and I only work part time. I know the younger ones (I am in my 50s) need more nurturing and that they are the future. I know that I am being unreasonable. But I can't stop feeling just awful about it.

Any coping advice out there?

OP posts:
TwerkAndJerk · 14/07/2025 15:24

I think I'd be pretty happy not to have to look at all the numpties in the office, tbh. Try not to look at it as a measure of your worth! It's 4 hours a day to pay some bills, not the be all and end all of your existence.

SisterMaryLuke · 14/07/2025 15:26

I feel for you. I would feel exactly the same. Do you think having a chat with your manager would be helpful - maybe try to come up with an alternative desk position? I think you will get used to it given time, but it sucks.

ConShine · 14/07/2025 15:26

I don't know what their age or yours has to do with it?

Surely they're just working more hours than you, so it makes sense to have the desk with the least disturbance?

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 14/07/2025 15:28

It's just a desk for 16 hours a week. What exactly is the issue?

If there is a practical issue that means that you'll be unable to do your job properly, then talk to your manager. If it's simply the case that you're annoyed about being allocated an undesirable desk, then try to remember it isn't personal - it probably just makes sense to give that desk to someone who is in the office less than others. It isn't a reflection of your value as a worker or as a colleague.

spoonbillstretford · 14/07/2025 15:29

That's rubbish. Can you work from home instead? Headphones? Is there no other desk at all?

Though I do remember the days of the last one in getting the worst chair. As a junior employee 25 years ago I remember getting a slightly broken chair you had to be careful how you sat on. The partner I worked for who was a round little man came in, sat heavily on it and went over backwards. I came into the office to find most of him under the desk, little legs waving in the air. After making sure he was ok and when he had gone back to his desk, my colleague and I closed the door and cried laughing- a bit like at school when you know you shouldn't, try to stifle the giggles and it made it worse. 😂

So not much helpful advice but I thought that might cheer you up.

Rosecoffeecup · 14/07/2025 15:39

Someone needs to have it, sounds like theres good reasons for others to be placed elsewhere

TucanPlay · 14/07/2025 15:41

Develop a habit of sliding backwards ( hope your chair has wheels) without warning especially when someone is approaching. I mean don't actually hurt them but laugh about how cramped it is and good job you missed them.
Hopefully they'll reconsider the layout on health and safety grounds.

HotAndSweatyButNotBetty · 14/07/2025 15:44

Coping tactics....take on lots of extra work so you're busy and not thinking about your desk position?

deckchaironnabeach · 14/07/2025 15:45

so you don’t want it because it’s the worst desk, but you expect someone else to have it?

Nice.

5128gap · 14/07/2025 15:53

You need to be objective about your issues with the desk. Stop with the emotive thoughts about value, who is or isn't 'the future' (you've years of work left!) and wanting to cry, and list your objective, rational issues. Is it too small for your work? Will the constant traffic impact your concentration? Will you be isolated from people you need to communicate with? Anything else? When you've a list of practical issues, you go to your manager and you calmly and assertively explain them. If you can see another option, suggest it. You are entitled to a reasonable and comfortable workspace where you can work at your best. Your employer is obliged to provide that. What other staff may need is not your problem.

LostSunglasses · 14/07/2025 15:55

5128gap · 14/07/2025 15:53

You need to be objective about your issues with the desk. Stop with the emotive thoughts about value, who is or isn't 'the future' (you've years of work left!) and wanting to cry, and list your objective, rational issues. Is it too small for your work? Will the constant traffic impact your concentration? Will you be isolated from people you need to communicate with? Anything else? When you've a list of practical issues, you go to your manager and you calmly and assertively explain them. If you can see another option, suggest it. You are entitled to a reasonable and comfortable workspace where you can work at your best. Your employer is obliged to provide that. What other staff may need is not your problem.

That's reasonable.

Icanttakethisanymore · 14/07/2025 15:58

every time I look at the desk waiting for me I want to cry.

I'd seek help - this doesn't sound normal at all.

FrenchandSaunders · 14/07/2025 16:01

It makes sense really with the hours you do, you can't be there that much.

MounjaroMounjaro · 14/07/2025 16:02

HotAndSweatyButNotBetty · 14/07/2025 15:44

Coping tactics....take on lots of extra work so you're busy and not thinking about your desk position?

Oh ffs.

MounjaroMounjaro · 14/07/2025 16:03

I can't believe some of these responses. It sounds as though they've been written by people who've never had a job in an office.

BurntBroccoli · 14/07/2025 16:04

This happened to me a few years ago (also part-time and was in my early 50s).

The desk was also in a noisy office right in the middle of a room so people were shouting across the room to each other to chat. My role involves quite complex stuff so it was a nightmare.

BeGreySnail · 14/07/2025 16:07

Turn everything around so that you are facing the door. There's no way you can work knowing people are behind you all day.

WallaceinAnderland · 14/07/2025 16:07

It's not about the desk. It's about being considered the least worthy person in the room.

Is there anyway to reshuffle, turn the desk sideways to the door?

DrowningInSyrup · 14/07/2025 16:10

spoonbillstretford · 14/07/2025 15:29

That's rubbish. Can you work from home instead? Headphones? Is there no other desk at all?

Though I do remember the days of the last one in getting the worst chair. As a junior employee 25 years ago I remember getting a slightly broken chair you had to be careful how you sat on. The partner I worked for who was a round little man came in, sat heavily on it and went over backwards. I came into the office to find most of him under the desk, little legs waving in the air. After making sure he was ok and when he had gone back to his desk, my colleague and I closed the door and cried laughing- a bit like at school when you know you shouldn't, try to stifle the giggles and it made it worse. 😂

So not much helpful advice but I thought that might cheer you up.

🤣🤣🤣 A round little man 🤣🤣🤣

angelos02 · 14/07/2025 16:10

I had this about 20 years ago. I used to move my chair so far back that people had to change their route! Very childish but I hated people constantly walking behind me. I was also once sat next to a printer - everyone that came to collect their printing used to want a chat. I eventually had it moved due to the fumes causing headaches.

BurntBroccoli · 14/07/2025 16:11

Icanttakethisanymore · 14/07/2025 15:58

every time I look at the desk waiting for me I want to cry.

I'd seek help - this doesn't sound normal at all.

It’s not unusual to be stressed at people walking up behind you without you being able to see them. Basic human survival thing - no animal would willingly position themselves like that. The human brain is still actually quite primitive in some respects.

CrimsynRose · 14/07/2025 16:12

I would be glad to have a desk, NHS admin here, with no desk, just have to hope there is one free on the day I am at work, if not I just hang around "doing filing" HATE it🙄

Bollihobs · 14/07/2025 16:13

Well obvs if the staff numbers are such that someone has to have that desk just saying " I don't want it to be me" isn't going to work. 😄 And unless there is an actual reason, other than it's a rubbish position, I think you are just going to have to work with it.

Could you ask for a screen of some sort so that people walking past are separated from you. Good lighting if it's a dark area and a plant or a nice picture on the wall.

Meadowfinch · 14/07/2025 16:13

WallaceinAnderland · 14/07/2025 16:07

It's not about the desk. It's about being considered the least worthy person in the room.

Is there anyway to reshuffle, turn the desk sideways to the door?

I really don't think it's about being considered the 'least worthy'. That's silly.

This is business, not personal. It's the same in our office. Full time staff get desks that are away from aisles because they are at them for 40 hour weeks. Part timers and hot deskers get the end desks with their backs to the aisles. It's just more practical.

wannabewhere · 14/07/2025 16:14

I had this years ago, I told the office manager I didn't like people walking close behind me as I found it distracting and the put a large plant pot behind my chair to create a little zone. It worked really well as people had to then walk round that giving lots of space