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

[TeaTowelQueen]

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?

Coping advice? For goodness sake, it's just a desk.

I mean I wouldn't like it, but I have had 'shit' desks/ chairs etc in the office. You're only there 16hrs a week that will probably be why

@spoonbillstretford my chair used to hit the floor if I didn't lower myself into it 'just right'

Are you my ex colleague who moved into my desk after work on a Friday evening because I'd told the team that day that I was pregnant? She spent Monday morning swapping back when I pointed out my maternity leave wouldn't be starting for at least 5 months.
I was far from impressed.

I’ve always worked in offices, for 36 years and I go to work, do my job and come home. I’ve sat at good desks with colleagues or bad desks, separate from the majority of the team. Big offices, little offices, open plan, hot desking, all sorts. I don’t care, it’s a desk, I’ve never understood people who are precious about where they sit.

You're over thinking this and taking it too personally. It's just a desk. Someone needs to sit at that desk.

This and go with a solution if possible. I once worked in an office where I pointed out my desk was right next to a window where everyone smoked and it came right up and into my window. I went and saw the manager and explained and the next thing he put a desk in his office and a screen and said - there you go.

If that’s the issue (and it’s not clear to me that it is, she seems to be more upset about the desk position being some kind of a reflection of her value in the office) then there are lots of rear view computer mirrors available online.

Who currently has this desk?

It's nothing personal OP, it's just because you work part time. I had the worst desk in the office when I was part time even though I was the same level of seniority as other people.

@TeaTowelQueen @HotAndSweatyButNotBetty you sound like a boss trying to squeeze every drop of blood out of your employees!!! we would never treat employees like this. employee desks are not moved to accomodate new employees!! OP is it a new desk position or an ancient desk?

Edited because I posted twice.

I think you mean I'm the whip cracking boss? It was written from the pov of someone who gets their head down and works, so I don't have time to overthink other stuff. It works for me.

My value isn't measured in a desk I sit at. Comfort and disruption, noise etc could all piss me off but I honestly don't notice stuff if I'm busy

In my last job, NHS, a team of 5 or 6 had to share 3 desks in a tiny room. And by share, I don’t mean time- share ie that we were there at different times. I mean actually sitting 2 people to 1 desk. Awful working conditions and I didn’t stay long.

At least you have your own desk. I am part time and hot desk, it is not a big issue.

Was the desk unused prior to being allocated to you OP? Can it not be moved? It doesn't sound personal or an indication of your worth. It was a practical decision. I understand it can feel unsettling - my team went from having our own desks/drawers/trays/office/car park, to hot desking in a huge shared area, and hard to get paid parking (NHS). PITA.

Don´t be so naive. Of course it is personal. Our jobs mean survival, freedom (of a sort) and contributing to society. Part of our identity is shaped by our careers, whether we like it or not. It is such a big part of your life for most of your adult life that is impossible to be emotionally completely detached from it.

You typically know your coworkers quite well, too, even if they are not your friends. Whenever we are operating in a group someone will be at the bottom rung of the pecking order and it is really demoralizing to know that person is you.

That's how it is when you're the newest! Do what you can to make it a sanctuary - plants, pictures, a lamp... You could even bring in a small cabinet to put beside you so you've got a more surrounded, cosy space.

I don't know what your company is like, but some will get you fancy orthopaedic chairs and footrests if you ask.

Great ideas from pp to put something behind you to block the energy of people walking behind. Alternatively, if you're next to a wall, could you move the desk so that the wall is behind you?

Is feel the same OP, the plant suggestion sounds like a good plan. Is the desk moveable? I had an office move and wheeled the chair that had been bought for me to the new desk across two buildings as it was a purchase to help my injury caused by work. Equally, I was moved from a normal large office desk which I need to accommodate two screens to a short wooden thing from the 1980s, I went to my boss about that and requested similar to what I was moved from.
The NHS sounds horrendous, mental note not to work for them.

Come on OP, let’s have a diagram of the office and where your desk is and maybe we can suggest where it could go that’s not so miserable.

How would it go down if you had a chat with boss to let them know the new layout doesn’t suit you?

This feels much worse because you are taking it as an insult and rejection. It isn't. The apprentices will be in the office for more hours than you and need keeping an eye on more than you. The office is cramped by the sound of it and there's only one unused desk at the moment.
If you'll find people walking behind you distracting, work out how to rearrange the desk or get a screen to shield you. Or put a rear view mirror on your computer screen so you can check who it is!

Is there enough room to pull the desk out a bit from the wall and sit on the other side so you're facing everyone else?

It is about that though. You are part time so get a worse desk. I understand why. But as a part timer you are often made to feel less important.

If they gave the 18 year old that desk they probably would be constantly chatting to everyone as they went past and never do any work. (And OK, some of us 50 year olds too!) You obviously take your work seriously and they can tell that when they gave you a desk that needs someone with a bit of self control.

Maybe you should see it as an opportunity to talk to people a bit more yourself? It is important to get on with your colleagues and build relationships as well as complete the job in hand.

You are a boss. You do not have to think about status.
You are the work equivalent of white people who say they do not really notice race.

BTW - I do get what you are saying. As a part timer I was always a 2nd class citizen. But it did change when I went full time. So it's not really about you. Just how much you are there.