How would you handle this? (Warning: kind of gross..)

[C.Ann]

Okay.. The area I work in has 4 cubicles - each of which contains a chair/desk/computer/telephone set up.. Only two of these are currently in use - mine and let's say, Mr. B's..

Mr. B works 5 days a week - I work 3.. For whatever reason, Mr. B likes to "desk hop" and will often work at one of the other desks either part of the day - or all day - if he feels like it.. I recently learned that he has also been using my desk when I'm not there..

***This is where it gets gross....******

For over a week, he had been sneezing and coughing like crazy and never using a tissue.. It was those forceful, disgusting sneezes where you could literally hear and see the "fluids" landing all over the place.. Several times I asked him if he needed a tissue (our employer supplies boxes for our work areas and desks) and he consistently said no.. At that time I didn't know that he was using MY desk when I wasn't there, but I had still gotten into the habit of wiping my desk and computer down with a Clorox wipe before I used it.. (Not so much because I was "germ phobic", but because his actions were disgusting and it gave me the willies..)

Anyhow, a week ago Tuesday I was called into meetings as soon as I entered the building and never got out of them until 1:30 in the afternoon.. In my haste to get started on a new project, I FORGOT to wipe down my area.. By Thursday I was really sick myself - sneezing and coughing - and by Friday morning I was so sick I had to see a doctor.. Long story short, I was VERY sick, was out of work all last week and may be out of work all this week as well.. When a co-worker called to check on me while I was out, she mentioned that Mr. B had been sitting at my desk Tuesday (while I was in the meetings) and also the day before (when I didn't have to work)..

Now in all fairness, I don't know 100% for sure that it was him or his germs that made me sick - BUT - his actions are TOTALLY DISGUSTING and I feel like I would like to mention it to management when I go back.. There is NO reason for him to "desk hop" and it literally makes me sick to my stomach to think of what might be all over my desk, computer, phone, etc..

Should I say something to someone - and if I do , how do I word it? I'm not trying to get him in trouble, but I dread going back in there and dealing with that "stuff"..

 

[emmagata]

If the desks are assigned to a particular person, tell this BOZO (Mr. B.) to stay the hedoublehockeysticks away from YOUR desk.

 

[Angelrose]

I guess I would speak to him first. Ask him if he would mind using his own desk and computer. I'm not very good at being diplomatic, I'm afraid. But I think I would talk to someone about it. Maybe your superior? This is a health issue for you or anyone else for that matter. Keep those wipes handy and never forget to use them if this situation continues.

 

[Jeanny]

that's totally disgusting... Tell him! Just say to him, "Please do not use my desk when I am not here. I don't appreciate it when other people use my desk and because of you, I was out sick". Hand him a box of tissues and some Purell hand santizer.


Or you could walk over to his desk and ask for a tissue and pretend sneeze on his desk.. maybe then, he'd get the hint!! I know that's pretty gross!! but it may work.

 

[Kimickey]

If it were me I would have a nice chat with Mr. Braindead and tell him please do not sit at your desk while you are not there. I would also along with the clorox wipes get lysol and spray your area down, and keep hand sanitizer on your desk for your personal use. There is nothing more annoying than for someone to use your personal area and act as if it were there own.

 

[disykat]

HA HA LOL

Okay, now that I'm done laughing ( I read your thread on the debate board) I agree that I'd be irritated.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by disykat
HA HA LOL

Okay, now that I'm done laughing ( I read your thread on the debate board) I agree that I'd be irritated.

-----------------------------

Ironic that I would find myself in this position - isn't it?

As I previously said though, it's the grossness of his actions that really nauseates me.. I mean how could a grown adult be that disgusting??

For all I know, maybe he just has allergies (do you actually sneeze out "fluids" with allergies?) but you have to admit, the idea of that "stuff" being all over your desk/computer/phone doesn't do much for the digestive system... Puke!!

I'm not sure who I should talk to, but I do know he has a bit of a temper so maybe it would be best if I went to one of the supervisors..

Sheesh - what's so difficult about using a TISSUE and working from your OWN desk????

 

[DebbieB]

I work in an office and can't imagine why he likes to "desk hop". I hate it when someone comes to work on my computer or something in my area and I have to work temporarily at another desk. Is his desk a total mess and he wants to get away from it? If there's two other empty cubicles in your area, why doesn't he just use those? I would tell him to use the other two if he feels the need to "desk hop", how many desks does one person need? If he continues, then talk to your supervisor. I wouldn't be happy either if I found out someone was using my desk if it wasn't necessary.

 

[wilderness01]

Ok I know this sounds stupid and over the edge but can't you somehow lock up your computer so only you could access it with a special password? What about the phone? Can't you take the receiver off of it along with all the things on your desk and lock them up in your desk? Maybe then he would get the hint. Maybe not though and he could sit at your desk even more just to bug you. But if you make it inconvenient for him to sit there maybe he would just stop!

You could also leave a box of kleenex and hand sanitizer at your desk with a BIG note on it that whoever is sitting at your desk on your day off without your permission is asked kindly to use these items so we all don't get sick from each others germs. Maybe it would freak him out to think you were the one with the cooties!!!! It's worth a try!

 

[FreshTressa]

That is just weird. The guy is weird.

I would put a cover over my computer and keyboard or a blanket or something over the whole set up. He would have to remove it to use your stuff, and it would probably stop him, although he sounds strange enough, that it might not!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is "desk-hopping" allowed? I find that to be extremely ODD!!!!!

 

[MeanLaureen]

Does your computer have a way to make a it password protected? Or if it's on 24/7 can you change the screensaver to be password protected so he couldn't get it off. (Like the do to computers in stores where they don't want you to play with them without help?)

I have a feeling that he wouldn't listen to you anyway so you would be better off "locking up"

Maybe decorate your cubicle in really girly things so he would look like an idiot sitting there (lots of powerpuff girls stuff and things like that..lol) Or leave a bunch of feminine type stuff on the desk. Anything to embarass him from using the desk.

 

[suzannen]

Our office does not allow "desk-hopping." I don't understand the reasoning of why he would do it in the first place. Perhaps you could speak to the manager and a policy could be instituted. He would be forced to stop doing it without you having to confront him. It must irritate others in your office as well; people get sick, papers can be lost, he could alter settings or something someone has set up on their own PC.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I like the idea of passwording the computer and locking up the handset of the phone! I would speak to the supervisor though, and I would say EXACTLY what you said here...even the gross parts!