Colleague spreading his stuff on my desk

[Notyouthful]

Have asked him many times not to do this. Currently in training so unable to move desks. When he went to the toilet I put all his stuff on his desk. He was upset on returning. Raised this with the development coach and she had a word with him. He still does this.

What are we supposed to do with him?

Yes really, that’s my view you’re free to express another 🤷🏻‍♀️

You keep moving it back and every time you do, you tell him to stop.

Either that or put everything he puts on your desk into the bin. While you make eye contact with him.

Come on, OP - we need to know exactly what kind of stuff he puts on there, why/how/when and more details about how he reacts when you put it back!

Yes really. That’s my view and you’re free to have another one 🤷🏻‍♀️

Keep pushing it back to his desk/put your bag on the edge of your desk as a barrier

You need one of those spray bottles of water. A little pssht pssht every time he puts something on your desk should do it.

Move the desks apart a little, request a desk devider or create a wall with box files!

don’t engage with playing ping pong with his items!

if he’s naturally messy or ADHD he may appreciate clearer physical boundries

Get a bin bag and move stuff from your desk into the bag?

Keep moving it back - he sounds like a weirdo

It's not really a view though, is it? More a sneer.

What do you think the reason is?

Move it back. Every. Time.

I am not sure how he articulated his "upset" bit I'd be as "upset" as he is.

“Why do you keep putting your stuff on my desk when I’ve asked you not to?” Make him explain himself.

Do you mean that he is messy so when his own desk is full he moves stuff over on to yours?

If so, pick it all up and put it in the bin. You’ve asked him enough times to keep stuff off your desk.

I would think is mine to use and I will keep it, bin it or whatever. Unless you work from home most of the time, he need a lot of space and there is no drawers available. In that case I will move it back to his.
He may be a dick or just using some space that generally is not been use.
I spread my wings in the office when I know they are not there, sometimes I have to consult far to much books and files and the extra space is handy. I'll clear it up before they come so no problem in my case. They do the same.

Explain to him ONCE that you don't want him to do that. Send him an email as well. Next time his stuff will be on the floor by his desk or in the bin. He clearly isn't responding to polite requests not to do it

A bet with someone else in your office to how many times he can do it?

Just swipe it all on the floor.

Or this (after you've explained this will happen). The bag keeps everything tidy and can go under his desk

Sounds like the equivalent of manspreading to me. I was in a meeting the other day, enough room on a seat for three people but one fella was manspreading so much someone had to pull up a spare seat from across the room!

pit his stuff in the (clean) bin

What is his stuff?

Put it all back the minute he moves something onto your desk, "Michael we've spoken about this, stop putting your things on my desk."

If it was me I'd tell him "next time it'll be going in the bin, not back on your desk" and then I would just bin it, but I'm petty.

Op started her thread at 858am this morning. I would imsgine she's probably working now and not able to come onto Mumsnet to supply this vital information.

In my office, the best way to approach this would be to take a trip to a toy store. Buy some little army men ( like the ones in Toy Story). If you can, get some 'Great Escape' style fencing. Then set up your perimeter. All the better if you can find a little sniper one.

Ideally, he'd cop the fuck.on, but given he isn't, making a joke of it that gets others engaged and aware of what's happening helps. Also stops any narrative developing if you're being nit picky or nagging him. Gives you the best shot of someone else calling him out on what he's doing.

Finally this approach has the added bonus of that if he pulls any other stunts in the future, you get to publicly ask him if you're going to have to represent this to him using toy again. This is all about his ego. It's okay to use that to your advantage.

You've tried approaching this in an adult manner. He's behaving like a toddler. Treat him like one.

This. So set your boundary rock hard and call him out. He’s pathetic.

When he went to the toilet I put all his stuff on his desk. He was upset on returning.

So he clearly thinks he has a right to your space. I would take pictures everyday and throw one of his items on the floor when he goes away. And shove the rest back to his table.