Is this too childish

Some background . . .
on Friday a co-worker came to my office and asked a question about a former co-workers personal reference library. I explained that he (former coworker) took it with him when he left. She (current coworker) got bent out of shape and said she didn't think it was his to take with him.

She realized that *I* has made copies of the entire personal reference library and it was sitting in my office. She got bent about that and said it should be available to everyone. I explained that it was, people just needed to ask my permission to remove my stuff from my office. She got huffy and wanted to know what would happen to it when I went on maternity leave. I explained THREE times it would go in a file cabinet and she kept asking, so I finally told her I was going to be a selfish ****** and take it home with me when I went out on maternity leave (in a loud voice). She told me not to get hysterical - to which I replied I wasn't hysterical but she was pi$$ing me off by asking the same stupid question over and over again. She finally left my office. Being that at this point it was after 5PM I went home.

Fast forward to this morning when I came in and found all my personal stuff (photos plaques) etc moved. By moved I mean, if picture A was on the left front corner of a table it was now on the right back corner of the table etc. Every single one has been moved, together with plants, speakers for the computer etc etc.

My gut says the snotty co-worker from Friday moved all my stuff to "prove" her point that the things in my office aren't really mine and she has the right to touch whatever she wants whenever she wants.

For the too childish question . . . I removed all those files she was whining about on Friday and put them in a file cabinet in someone else's office. I figure if anyone asks I'll just say my office was ransacked (since it was). Is that too childish?????????????

This is a "professional" office.

Re: Is this too childish

Posted by DancinBarefoot

Some background . . .
on Friday a co-worker came to my office and asked a question about a former co-workers personal reference library. I explained that he (former coworker) took it with him when he left. She (current coworker) got bent out of shape and said she didn't think it was his to take with him.

She realized that *I* has made copies of the entire personal reference library and it was sitting in my office. She got bent about that and said it should be available to everyone. I explained that it was, people just needed to ask my permission to remove my stuff from my office. She got huffy and wanted to know what would happen to it when I went on maternity leave. I explained THREE times it would go in a file cabinet and she kept asking, so I finally told her I was going to be a selfish ****** and take it home with me when I went out on maternity leave (in a loud voice). She told me not to get hysterical - to which I replied I wasn't hysterical but she was pi$$ing me off by asking the same stupid question over and over again. She finally left my office. Being that at this point it was after 5PM I went home.

Fast forward to this morning when I came in and found all my personal stuff (photos plaques) etc moved. By moved I mean, if picture A was on the left front corner of a table it was now on the right back corner of the table etc. Every single one has been moved, together with plants, speakers for the computer etc etc.

My gut says the snotty co-worker from Friday moved all my stuff to "prove" her point that the things in my office aren't really mine and she has the right to touch whatever she wants whenever she wants.

For the too childish question . . . I removed all those files she was whining about on Friday and put them in a file cabinet in someone else's office. I figure if anyone asks I'll just say my office was ransacked (since it was). Is that too childish?????????????

This is a "professional" office.

Re: Is this too childish

I wouldn't sink to her level - take the high road - leave it where it is, but send an email to all your co-workers.

Explain that someone has raised the issue of this particular reference. Inform your co-workers of where it is but say that you would appreciate that they tell you if they intend to remove the reference, so you can keep tabs on it.

At the end, say that while you are more than happy to be as helpful as you can, state that you would appreciate, going forward, if co-workers would please refrain from moving or rearranging your personal items on your desk.

Re: Is this too childish

Re: Is this too childish

Could it have been the cleaning company that moved your stuff?

Re: Is this too childish

Re: Is this too childish

Re: Is this too childish

Posted by LFitzy79

I'd make a copy of it for yourself first, but then I'd leave it in the other coworkers cabinet!

I'd be p*ssed that someone moved my stuff!!!!

Re: Is this too childish

Re: Is this too childish

Considering what happened with you current co-worker and over the weekend? Heck no!!!

I would be furious if someone was in my office and touched anything.

I take it you don't have a lock on your office door? If you do, I'd start locking it everytime you're out of it.

How rude and annoying!

Re: Is this too childish

I've created reference files that are probably a lot like the one you are talking about and I inherited someone else's when she left to go to medical school. They take time to create and maintain. I do share the information but I have to remember that other people could take the time to organize materials for themselves. My friend had a whole system where people signed things out and she had specific dates on which she reviewed and discarded anything that was no longer valid. That is why her library is still useful. In your case, I might tell the other person that if the management wants to assign someone the task of copying the entire thing, they can do so, as long as they leave the original intact. At this point in the pregnancy, you are too busy to do that yourself. And yes, I would consider taking the whole thing home, especially after the incident with things being moved in your office.

Re: Is this too childish

I probably would have been OK at first sharing but after her "harrassment" and your office being "rearranged".... no!

Bring the stuff home and leave it there. I love when people get mad because they can't get what they want. She can make her own library.

I had similar issues when in school. People love your organization/chart/ideas... they don't realize how much time it takes. While I would not mind helping someone, I have a hard time with the "users" who just ask for a copy.

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Message edited 3/3/2010 8:37:08 PM.