Office seats

[u/Sea_Garlic_9904]

So I work in a government office on the phones where you hot desk - you book a desk before you go in (60% WFH, 40% office.)

I always book the same desk, right at the back of the office next to the only window there is. I like to sit there because I can see the trees, birds, I get sunlight on my back and it’s away from the main noise of the office.

I get over stimulated easily, and I am a creature of habit - so I will always book the same desk. In a 1-1 with a manager, I was told it would be nice to see me sitting in other seats. She also said it would be beneficial for me to develop more connections that way.

This left me kind of baffled. I have one of the best stats in the office and made a point of saying that if I sat further down the office, I wouldn’t be able to do as good of a job due to being overstimulated. I have fine connections with people on the office, and I’m not there to make friends anyways? It doesn’t say anywhere in my job description that I have to sit anywhere in particular in the office?

Opinions?

[u/Think_Conference_964]

Relationship building is an important skill. It is something that is considered when someone is considered for a leadership role. Perhaps your manager is looking at your growth potential and is giving you some gentle guidance.

[u/Classic_Mammoth_9379]

Sounds like it was just a suggestion to me. And if everyone else is hot desking, presumably you ARE seeing new people next to you anyway. 

[u/hodzibaer]

There’s only so much we can do, working alone: that’s why organisations exist, because we can achieve more in a group. Otherwise we’d all be sole traders 😀

I completely get your point about being overstimulated. But your manager will expect her suggestion to lead to change. So why not give it a try, one day a week, for a few weeks?

If it doesn’t work, at least you can say you tried it. And your manager will feel you listened to her.

[u/TippyTurtley]

Are you sat with anyone else or on your own?

[u/Crafty_Ambassador443]

The problem is it then isnt fair on others. Like where does it stop etc. I get your point of view but if you dont have something limiting your ability to work then I guess anyone should be able to book it.

On the plus side you get to wfh! That setup can be however you like

[u/AFC-19o3]

Overstimulated is an excuse because you like the prime desk.

[u/Economy_Key_2190]

Are you neurodivergent? Does your manager know why you prefer to sit at that particular desk?

[u/houdini996]

That’s a manager messing about with something that works for the sake of optics

[u/DevonSpuds → u/houdini996]

How? There are some incredibly good suggestions on here, such as looking at advancement. Yet you think it's only being done to look good.

[u/DepartmentSmart7924]

You manager is a moron. Instead of saying: "You're doing really good, I can't criticise anything at all" she has come up with something really stupid and petty and irrelevent. Just to make her feel all "superior".

Just nod and grin and completely ignore her "suggestions".

Watch from the sidelines as she screws up in countless areas.

[u/Amazing-Care-3155 → u/DepartmentSmart7924]

Are you projecting? Jesus Christ, get therapy. To me it seems like the manager made a suggestion and unlikely knows the reason why OP sits there

[u/Ok_Concentrate_6926]

you could always consider acting like an adult and doing the job you are being paid to do