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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Other People Using My Desk

118 replies

MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 18:33

As I repeat this over and over in my mind, it sounds ridiculous... With that being said, AIBU to be upset, teetering on angry, that someone comes to the office and works at my desk? I am a leadership development educator and coach - so I'm not always in the office. Now, "they" come in and change all of my settings on my computer monitors and chair and never put anything back to my settings and they leave a small mess on my desk - my area does not have cameras. I've left a note on my keyboard saying "Welcome and Hello Guest - If you are here borrowing a desk, please leave everything the same as you found it. Please do not change settings on monitors or chairs. Thank you and have a wonderful day."
My note obviously gets ignored.
So, AIBU?

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 17/07/2025 18:34

If it’s not a hot desk then YANBU
its so annoying
if someone uses the space they should put everything back the way they found it

UghFletcher · 17/07/2025 18:36

Is it YOUR desk or is it a hot desk? My answer completely depends on this

SquigglePigs · 17/07/2025 18:37

I've not voted because I can come down on both sides.

It's not unreasonable for people to use your desk if you aren't there but if I was you it would drive me up the wall! (I'm autistic for full disclosure).

Ignoring your note is rude. If they need to change things they could at least put it back. Having said that, changing the chair is the most understandable - if someone is notably shorter or taller than you then they shouldn't have to work in discomfort.

DappledThings · 17/07/2025 18:38

Having your own desk is pretty unusual these days. Does everyone know it's yours? Is it actually yours?

I haven't had my own desk for 10 years. People don't really expect to much now I don't think.

Createausername1970 · 17/07/2025 18:43

Now, what I am about to say is a bit childish, and not totally sure it will work on current computers/laptops, but I knew someone who did it accidentally about 25 years ago and put their computer out of action until someone else worked out what they had done.

They made the background colour and the text colour the same. So they were presented with effectively a blank screen and anything they typed in was in the same colour as the background, so it looked like the computer was actually faulty, so anyone sitting at your desk might move else where.

IF you do this, you will need to have a photographic memory to know where to click to get back to the right menu to undo it.

Failing that, can you lock stuff into your drawers, or accidentally take the mouse home?

Assuming it's your actual desk and not a hit desk

T00ManyBooks · 17/07/2025 18:47

I was going to suggest taking the cables with you or locking them in a drawer. But I like Createausername1970‘s idea more!

magicstar1 · 17/07/2025 18:57

Can you just switch your days in the office for a bit until you can catch them? Then tell them to stop moving stuff.

DoYouReally · 17/07/2025 19:07

Unless you're self employed, you don't own a desk and certainly have no entitlement to it.

The majority of office workers are using hot desks now.

You are totally unreasonable to expect a company resource not to be used as and when needed especially when you are not there.

bellocchild · 17/07/2025 19:15

A long time ago, when I was teaching IT, some evil Year 10s and 11s would deliberately change ordinary words, on autocorrect, to something obscene or inappropriate. It caused tears and misery among innocent Year 7s.
Perhaps you could try something like this?

Breadcat24 · 17/07/2025 19:16

If it is not a hotdesk unplug and remove monitor cables etc

MargaretThursday · 17/07/2025 19:20

It's hard to put back chair/computer screen etc heights exactly, so I suspect even if they try you'll be still having to tweak it.

I know how dh like the car seat after I've been in it, and I can get it close, but he still often has to do a little shuffle.

Radionowhere · 17/07/2025 19:20

I have an office on my own, if I'm not there and other people need to use it they can and will. It's a work space owned by my employer, it's not mine. Think you're being a bit precious. Or I'm much more laid back than I realised.

Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:26

rubyslippers · 17/07/2025 18:34

If it’s not a hot desk then YANBU
its so annoying
if someone uses the space they should put everything back the way they found it

It's my desk, not a "hot desk". My name is on the wall 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:28

Breadcat24 · 17/07/2025 19:16

If it is not a hotdesk unplug and remove monitor cables etc

It's my desk, not a "hot desk". My name is on the wall 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:28

UghFletcher · 17/07/2025 18:36

Is it YOUR desk or is it a hot desk? My answer completely depends on this

It's my desk, not a "hot desk". My name is on the wall 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:30

Radionowhere · 17/07/2025 19:20

I have an office on my own, if I'm not there and other people need to use it they can and will. It's a work space owned by my employer, it's not mine. Think you're being a bit precious. Or I'm much more laid back than I realised.

It's my desk, not a "hot desk", I have confidential files (that are locked up). My name is on the wall 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:34

DoYouReally · 17/07/2025 19:07

Unless you're self employed, you don't own a desk and certainly have no entitlement to it.

The majority of office workers are using hot desks now.

You are totally unreasonable to expect a company resource not to be used as and when needed especially when you are not there.

I have confidential files, yes they are locked up. We have "hot desks" for others to use.

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:36

Createausername1970 · 17/07/2025 18:43

Now, what I am about to say is a bit childish, and not totally sure it will work on current computers/laptops, but I knew someone who did it accidentally about 25 years ago and put their computer out of action until someone else worked out what they had done.

They made the background colour and the text colour the same. So they were presented with effectively a blank screen and anything they typed in was in the same colour as the background, so it looked like the computer was actually faulty, so anyone sitting at your desk might move else where.

IF you do this, you will need to have a photographic memory to know where to click to get back to the right menu to undo it.

Failing that, can you lock stuff into your drawers, or accidentally take the mouse home?

Assuming it's your actual desk and not a hit desk

I'm truly thinking about taking the cables with me 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:37

DappledThings · 17/07/2025 18:38

Having your own desk is pretty unusual these days. Does everyone know it's yours? Is it actually yours?

I haven't had my own desk for 10 years. People don't really expect to much now I don't think.

I know it's unusual but yes, my name is on the wall.

OP posts:
Isobel201 · 17/07/2025 19:37

MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:34

I have confidential files, yes they are locked up. We have "hot desks" for others to use.

Show quote history

Then I'd change your note to say 'desk is exempt from hot desking, please do not use it'.

Original poster
MediatorMom · 17/07/2025 19:39

UghFletcher · 17/07/2025 18:36

Is it YOUR desk or is it a hot desk? My answer completely depends on this

It's my desk, my name is on the wall. 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 17/07/2025 19:40

Is your name on the wall OP 🤣

seriously, someone else nearby must know who it is? Ask around and send a very polite (PA) email?

DoYouReally · 17/07/2025 19:41

Your name might be on the wall but your bum isn't on the seat!

pinkyredrose · 17/07/2025 19:43

Cancel the wall.

Crunchymum · 17/07/2025 19:45

Are you sure it's not your wall OP? And the desk is for whoever needs it?

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