Coworker Spat
 

Hey All,

I had a little spat with a coworker today. We share a desk area and so do others share with us. I like to set up the desk in an ergonomically correct fashion. Most of the others (if not all) want the keyboard flat rather than at a downward slant away from the body. I do a few things like this and so I have to change the desk area around every time I come in. My coworker (who likes to control the desk area and can get catty for random reasons) asked me (told me) this morning to change the keyboard back the way it was when I came. We have had this discussion before and I have told her that I have to change the keyboard the way I want it when I come in and that everyone should arrange it the way they like when they come in and that I have no idea how she wants it changed. She says that I am the only one who likes it that way and so I should change it back. She is catty and gets an attitude about things like this.

So the question is, which is right:

1. Everyone should be responsible for changing the desk area the way they like when they come in.

2. I should be responsible for changing the area the way she wants it even though I have to change it when I come in as well.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Do you all work together at the same time? If so, then you'll have to go with the majority, IMO. If you come in and work alone, then I would change it back when I left.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

This. If you share a desk area with other people, each person should be arranging the desk how they see fit, so long as they don't have to shove furniture around or lift heavy plants. The energy she has to expend arranging it the way she wants it is no different than the energy you have to expend doing the same thing.

Is this seriously just over how the keyboard is tilted? LOL!!! Sounds to me like she's REALLY lazy. :heeheehee

Re: Coworker Spat
 

How long does it take to change it back the way she wants it? If it takes a short period of time, then I would change it before I left.
I would also say that she must have some other issues in her life if this issue is that important to her.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

I always put things back the way I found them. Or, the way that I know the next person will find most beneficial. :) I'm always thinking about what will make it easier for others to do their job and I do go out of my way to do those things. I have no idea what you should do in this situation, but I do know that I would put it back the way it was when I found it.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

you could make it like a reward/punishment system, when she pleases you, fix it the way she wants it; when she annoys you, dont fix it and leave gum wrappers and empty soda cans on the desk.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

I'm just going to have to be nice to you so I won't get on your bad side! :toofunny

Re: Coworker Spat
 

:thumbsup

Re: Coworker Spat
 

It's a rather odd arrangement. We work at the same time but sort of at our own respective desks. So, I can have it the way I want it for a shift, sort of.

I put a foot stool down and a floor mat down as well and remove those when I leave.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Well, she was mad at me for working an extra hour last week and tried to control the space and work to "prove" I didn't need to be there. She asked my supervisor why "she was still here" (meaning me). She said "because I asked her to be".

She gets funny for a while and real touchy and then she will be fine. She left a pile of work that she didn't like to do on my desk because she didn't want to do it. She is not really lazy, just real particular about what she will and will not do. For me, it's partially about not feeling like dog doo on her shoe.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

It doesn't take that long, it's just the point. I think I am going to change it back but not work anywhere near the desk when she is there if I can help it.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

So, sometimes she has to share your work area, but it's largely your area? Does she have to utilize information or equipment that is at your work area during your shift?

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Yeah, I guess I should remember that. It's hard to feel compassion to someone who just seems to like to make your life hard.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

I am naturally the kind of person who tries to make things easier for another but I have learned over the years that if I do that, I don't get treated fairly. People take advantage so I do tend to draw lines sometimes, like with this issue.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

LOL! I sure could! Actually, I NEVER leave that kind of stuff behind. I think that would be just plain rude. However, she once left a part of a banana. It was tempting to make a big deal out of it. :heeheehee But did I? Noooooooo!!! I picked it up and never said a word because that's just the kind of nice person I am! Anyway, if I did do that, she wouldn't see the irony nor learn the lesson.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Yes, that is sometimes the case but it is largely my area. However I have gone to another area and forgotten to pick up my footstool. Horrors. It was a real issue. It could not go unmentioned!! It is like this anytime I forget and it makes it hard to want to comply. I drew a line at the keyboard because I have to change it when I get there, so why can't she?

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Hey, ya'll don't forget the poll!!

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Well, sorry about your trouble. That is why I was in sales. I didn't have to sit around an office full of women. I'd rather sit under a bridge with a tin can. LOL! Good luck! This problem is not going to go away any time soon.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

There wasn't one for going postal on her. I can't vote. :bliss

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Okay, I wanted your honest opinions so I didn't tell you this yet. I talked to my supervisor about it and she wants me to put the keyboard back to "keep the peace". I feel like she said this because she knows I am more compliant and it irks me. Grrrr. Sure, I can put the keyboard back but it's not going to change the issue.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Okay, I'm confused. Should I go postal or change the keyboard?? Oh, wait, I asked what I should do not what YOU would do !!!! LOL!!!

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Ugh! What a pain.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Okay, I'm going to have to log out or I'm going to start acting like Amanah. LOL! Every time she asked me something, I would answer, "Jess, for a couple of days." :heeheehee

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Oh, the DRAMA!!:drama:heeheehee

Re: Coworker Spat
 

:highfive

Re: Coworker Spat
 

:highfive

Tell her you use to work for the Post Office and you have other ways of solving the problem. :smack And if that doesn't work...............:thwak or :drawguns

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Seriously, be very kind to her. She obviously has problems playing well with others.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Jus slapha an getit ovah wit

Re: Coworker Spat
 

I agree, but ILG doesn't have to give in to the keyboard business in order to be kind. I would bring her a coffee and smile and compliment her new sweater, but that keyboard would stay exactly as I put it. :D

It sounds to me like they need to have an office seminar on ergonomics.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

:thumbsup

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Yeah, that's what I thought.....leave the keyboard but be nice in other ways. It seems like a control issue.

However, my supervisor hath commanded me to change it back to keep the peace. I told her I thought she was wrong and that I disagreed but that I would. I like my supervisor and we get along quite well but she is not one for standing up against this sort of thing. So, I feel stuck.

What I think I will do to keep my dignity is to work as far from the area as possible. If I can't feel comfortable there I will work where I can. I feel kind of kicked out of the area in a way for the simple fact that changing that keyboard while she stands nodding her approval and grinning at her win seems undignified.

I just wanted to know what people thought. I believe everyone should change it the way they want it when they get there. It seems only fair. After all, I have to......but it seems there is no uniform answer here even on the board. So, I'll suck it up and change it back, but not under her nose if I can help it.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Agree with thy adversary

Re: Coworker Spat
 

This is what I think you really should do. Do what your boss asked you to do and put the keyboard like they want it. But don't stay away from the area or give her any sense that this has gotten to you in any way. Find a way to enjoy being on the job, either by having fun with your co workers, or any way you can. And just let her see you being happy and that it's not bothering you. Let her wonder how it is that you can be happy, having joy in any situation, since she is obviously not a happy person.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

I would definitely not stay away from the area giving her the idea that she has 'won'. I would put the keyboard back like I found it and be even more friendly to her. Let her be confused about the whole situation. :)

Re: Coworker Spat
 

But it does bother me and I am not happy about it. However, I will enjoy my job and have fun working away from that area. Basically my message intends to be "I feel better away from you".

I have gotten into it with her before. Usually once she gets over her "mood" things go back to normal until the next time. My supervisor knows this. My coworker is not a bad person but I think she has issues. I don't want to be involved in the toxicity anymore than I have to.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

This whole thread just reinforces my thoughts about women in the work place. Specifically their relations with each other. The office I base out of is an exception to the rule as the all of the women in cubicle city get along great and help each other. The other location I deal with a lot is much like the atmosphere that Algae describes in this thread. As a famous man once said "why can't we just all get along?"

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Confusion is good but I feel like my supervisor is letting her "win". I feel the more she is allowed to control the area the more area and space she will take. If she was allowed to she would control all of it. I feel it is one of those situations that if you don't stand in one spot and not allow it to continue she just slowly takes over everything before you know what happened. I have fought for respect from her in this area ever since I started working there and mostly she doesn't mess with me. But every once in a while she can't help herself and she gets in a "mood" and this happens. Even my Sup said she has been testy lately and nobody knows why. I am not sure how to not stay away from the area because if I work there I will have to go through the undignified ritual of putting it back as she wants it in front of her and I'm afraid my teeth may fall out from me grinding and gritting them as I do so. :) Well, maybe by next week I will feel better about the whole thing. I appreciate you guys letting me vent!

Re: Coworker Spat
 

No kidding! Actually, most of us get along quite well, fortunately.

Re: Coworker Spat
 

Just tell her, "Hey, your Prozac is wearing off. Step back out of my space." :heeheehee

Re: Coworker Spat
 

:toofunny :thumbsup :thumbsup