Lack of seating arrangement

Anonymous

September 26,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

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Lack of seating arrangement

I had a role change in my local organization to a global role. The HR manager moved me out of my current room into the customer service pool which was okay but the place gets very noisy and I cannot attend online meetings without having to mute myself. So I got permission to work from home.

I thought that once they remodeled the office, I will have space but now they have informed me that in the new set up they have 4 pods which are like for visitors and I can use it when I come to work. So basically they are taking away my current space too.

I do like working from home, and sometimes travel for 1 or 2 weeks but I am feeling wronged. Am I over reacting ? Should I inform my boss(sitting outside my country) that work from home will be permanent in my case.

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AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 4:22PM UTC
You make the case fir whatever options available serve you best.
Obviously space is limited. Noise levels vary and territory is personal. Choose what best works for you from what is available.
Leave your "wronged" perception behind. No one wronged you.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 4:34PM UTC
Yes, you are overreacting. If I'm following your narrative correctly, you didn't like how noisy your customer service pool got so you asked permission to WFH when you recently changed roles...and it was granted! So your employer delivered on exactly what you asked for.
At any point during the remodel, did you ask about returning to the office or express interest in having your own space to return to the office permanently? If you did not directly communicate this to your boss, your employer couldn't possibly be expected to read your mind about this.
Sounds to me like they gave NO ONE a permanent office, this isn't unique to you. I also get the sense that your boss who sits outside the country doesn't have much to say about where you sit as long as your work is getting done.
Pick your battles, you have ultimate flexibility working from home and a pod to sit in when you do come into the office. Not sure I'd go to the mat on this one.
AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 6:00PM UTC
Did anyone give you the expectation that you would have space after the role change and remodel?
Crystal HowellSeptember 26,2022 at 6:05PM UTC
Was the office space discussed at the beginning of the job?
tell them you prefer to work from home as their is no suitable space for me to do my work in a quiet and safe safe enviornment, which employers are to provide.
If they are out of the country, work locally there are plenty of remote jobs in the states?
AnonymousSeptember 26,2022 at 6:11PM UTC
Excellent and actionable advice!
Paulla Fetzek, MSEdSeptember 27,2022 at 1:12PM UTC
I'm sorry for this and I'm with you. My company moved to our new permanent home back in 2017. Our then Office Manager (who - of course - had an office) was solely responsible for planning our current office layout.
Calling it horrific would be a vast understatement. While people tolerate it, 90% of us absolutely hate it. As it stands, several of the people in the open area (22 of us when we're all here!) go and work elsewhere in the office because it's so disruptive and loud.
If you're comfortable working from home - and your office allows it - I most certainly would ask!
Nicole DupuisSeptember 27,2022 at 3:56PM UTC
I am sorry you feel that you have been wronged. I had almost this same thing happen at my last job. They were remodeling the office and because I was working more remotely, they were going to take my office away and move me into a more "visitor" space. I think it is very much the shifting of hybrid work. Companies just can't afford to accommodate the same space they used to for employees. I would not take it personally. I would also try the new space out and see if it is conducive to your work. If you are unable to work effectively (the visitor space is always occupied or too loud) this is something to bring up with your boss.