Co-worker rearranges my desk when I am not there?

Question

I work part-time in the mornings, and the company hired another part-time worker for the afternoons. We share the same desk. I didn't mind her putting her things on the desk or pictures, etc, but she started moving my things which kinda irked me, since I have been there 7 years. So I moved them back. The next day she would move them again. I never see her to tell her to leave my stuff be. What is her deal?!

Answer 1

Type a letter or note and tell her, to not re-arrange the desk. Explain that you have worked there seven years and the desk is arranged to suit "your" needs.

If she needs space she should ask the supervisor or manager to move her to another area of the office. Some people have a sense of entitlement - she thinks she can encroach on your space without permission.

Answer 2

Don't write her a letter or a note, that will start a war of words. Perhaps speak to your supervisor or office manager and let her know that you understand that you share a desk with the other part timer. I understand that you have been there longer but as you are both part-timers you guys both have to figure out a way to share the desk.

Maybe she moves your stuff aside because she needs the room to do her work? Or maybe it is so that she can put her stuff on the desk to do her job. It may not be that she's doing this to make you mad or to try and "mark her territory". It may very well be that she doesn't want to disturb your personal belongings while she works.

If it doesn't get resolved management may tell both of you that you can't have any personal stuff on the desk at all and that will end up reflecting poorly on both of you. Or, it could lead to both of you being let go or replaced. Try to work things out with a manager or another person who you report to before it gets to that point.

Answer 3

One word--COMMUNICATION! It doesn't sound like she is stealing or breaking your stuff. You must cross paths at some point, or else you could call her when she is at work.

Since you are both part-time and must share a desk, you should work out a compromise. Suggest an area of the desk for these knickknacks, pictures, or whatever they may be and divide it in two so that each of you has a half. Otherwise you will both spend a lot of time moving stuff back and forth and getting frustrated over such a minor thing.

Answer 4

even though you have been there for 7 years, it sounds like she has the same job title as you. don't get me wrong, i would be pizzed too. but, doesn't she deserve to be comfortable at work as well. you said that you didn't mind when she brought her stuff in. why would you? Maybe there is a reason. Maybe she is left handed and keeps knocking things over and is moving them to avoid breaking them. why don't you leave her a note and ask her or maybe stop by during her shift and speak with her directly. or maybe you could ask your supervisor to ask her why she is moving things.

If she has no valid reason and keeps doing it just to be a pain, then i would start moving her stuff or maybe even put all of her things in a box each morning when i get there.

If you don't address it soon you are going to become miserable at work. Maybe to the point of doing something you regret.

Answer 5

she sounds like she is self proclaimed but of course as you know you have to remain professional. so there are multiple answers you can do 1. suck in your pride and at the end of each day put your stuff away and in the morning take it back out. yeah that sucks you were there first and why should you waste your time 2. take the time to talk to this person, remain civil and find out what the hell their problem is 3. talk to someone who works with this person 4. simply leave a note

i know you wanted a straight answer but i dont know what kind of a person you are so i can only hope i was of some help

Answer 6

You could write her a note on a sticky nicely saying you don't mind if she puts her stuff on the desk, but please leave your stuff where it is. Just be polite about it, and move your stuff to where you want it and leave a note saying something like, "Hey, I like the stuff you put on the desk.. I hope you don't mind me keeping my stuff in these arrangements." That should drop the hint

Answer 7

Politely and professionally tell her to knock it off because much importantly you have been there much longer and that technically is your desk.
If you want to compromise since it is a job share, maybe you can ask her if you two can get together to arrange the desk to both your likings. This option would be really hard for me because I am borderline OCD, and things have to be exactly the way I like them or I will curse somebody out.

Answer 8

Put a note out suggesting that while you share a job, you would also like to share a space, as oppposed to having her dictate where your stuff goes. Pick a shelf that is yours for personal items and the same for her. Don't put personal items anywhere else. Then ticky tack your stuff in place (or superglue would be better).

Answer 9

leave a post it or some kind of little note asking her to stop...be polite, she may have a good reason for moving your things, or maybe she didnt realize that it bothers you. if it continues after the note, then maybe give her a taste of her own medicine. move her things around and see how she likes it.

Answer 10

leave a polite note asking her not to move your things. or you could even stay at work until she gets there and talk to her instead of leaving the note. she may not know, or understand that this upsets you. on the other hand she may not care how you feel, and just doing it to p@#$ you off. either way, talk to her, or your boss.