Hot desking
Question
I work from the same desk fours days a week, but every Friday I work out of the office and someone else sits at my desk. Do I have the right to my own space at work and can I ask that no one else sits there when I'm away?
Answer
Personal space is very important. People often make their desk area their own by the way they organise their tools and arrange pictures and other personal possessions. Even though you might personalise a work station, in reality it belongs to the company and, as such, they can organise you as they see fit, which may mean hot desking with a colleague. In many companies and organisations, there are no set work stations and you just fit in where you can.
So, despite how unpleasant it may feel, you can't demand that your employer doesn't allow someone else to sit at your desk. But you could talk to your supervisor about your concerns and see if they have any suggestions on how to make the situation more comfortable.
Updated: 12/07/2005
Question answered by CAB
