can they treat me like this?

[blondy78]

hi. not sure where to start so i will just blurt it out! This is my 6th week back at work now after having 9 months maternity leave. i work part time 3 days a week (previously worked 4 days so just dropped a day, doing same hours).

I am a secretary in a law firm (been there for 12 years) and I still do not have a desk, chair, computer, etc. I have been moving round from desk to desk, having logging on issues so have had to contact the IT (although have moved around so much i now know how to fix the problems and just re-set everything every day myself), I have to have a filing day if sitting at a solicitors desk as no foot pedal for the dictation machine (which is not a problem,just an annoyance) but the thing that is bothering me is that all they keep saying is that there will be a move soon and you will get sorted out. they do not give me any idea of a timeframe. The team has grown so much, there are a lot of homeworkers (which isn't an option for me as i am a secretary and they don't allow it).

I cry every sunday night thinking of the week ahead and wondering where i will be sitting. Its just the unsettling feeling and not knowing where i will be, not having my own stuff around me. I am also starting to get neck ache from not sitting on my own chair, although i do adjust chairs to suit (surely this is health and safety issue, work station assessment?) and they haven't made me feel settled at all since going back. I have had to get used to a new team as well,its more than tripled in size and i work for different people now. am supposed to be part of a team but have not sat by them to feel part of it yet - although we type from a pool so just pick up everyones dictation. I just want to settle back into work and get on with things. Surely they cannot keep me like this for much longer? Do i take it further? I have kept copies of emails where i have asked about a desk, made suggestions where i could sit, etc.

Its hard enough going back to work after having a baby (I have a 6 year old as well) without the added stress of not feeling welcome/settled and shoved around anywhere. thanks for reading to the end and please tell me if you think i am being sensitive. i am a worrier anyway and would dread trying to explain myself in a HR meeting or causing any trouble. Just at a loss as to how I can help myself and what i should do - if anything. x

:( instead of emailing is there anyway of talking face to face at all?

Is there any other secretary having to hot desk, or are you the only one?

sorry, should have added. i do talk face to face with my supervisor every day, she is the one who tells me where to sit depending on who is out sick, holiday etc. I have only started emailing now so i have a record of me asking the question. I have also spoke with the person who sets up the new computers (they actually have me a new computer sitting there, i just need a desk to put it on).

there are no other secretaries who hot desk. i am the only part time secretary except for one other who does 4 days, but she works for the partner and hasn't been on maternity recently. only people who hot desk are homeworkers and they just need a computer, not the foot pedal and headphones but they do normally sit at the same desk when they are in the office as they know who is in and out.

the reason for this is that the team has grown so much everyone is fighting for space. but surely as a person based purely in the same office for three permanent days i should get somewhere to sit by now?

thanks for the replies!

I would ask for a meeting with your supervisor and explain how you feel. I'm sure it is not deliberate; sometimes people don't realise how things like this can affect staff.

I would start by explaining the impact it is having on your work re the foot pedal etc, then talk about morale issues - that you are struggling to bond with your new team. I would ask for a timescale on when it will be resolved and, at this point, mention that it is starting to affect you outside of work.

Good luck.

This is "hot desking".

I think this is a difficult one. Have you raised it properly at a supervision meeting? Have you outlined why you find it unsettling?