Published on 12, July, 2020
My workplace is trying to be really accommodating to my disabilities. I have seizures, hearing loss and some joint issues (yes I won the genetic lottery). Our office usually hot desks which means we can sit anywhere we like however, HR has recommended I get an assigned desk set up for me only.
The problem is I've been working at this company for a year already and have my seat. I always sit there. People will literally move when I come in to the office (I work out off the office sometimes visiting other sites). It's my seat. My manager was being really supportive but just didn't get it. He thinks that it's "only one move" and "the new seat will become your seat".
I don't want to move. The idea stresses me out. Currently, I set up on a picnic table where I can spread all my stuff out, there aren't loads of people around me, but if people do need to talk to me I can see them coming, there's a lot of open space if I do have a fit, and to be frank I've been there a year. I don't want to change now. The idea of it is stressing me out but I promised I'd think about it.
It feels silly to be almost crying over a seat, but I don't understand how to communicate that I don't want to move. I've said it directly and indirectly, including the words "I am autistic, change is hard, I don't feel comfortable moving".
Is there anything I can do or am I stuck with the move I don't want?
Hi Sybil,
I know exactly how you feel. My company have had numerous seat changes and different office plans, which requires moving around a fair bit and I really, really don't like it.
A while back I was moved to a spot where I had to have my back to the entrance and I really found that tough. I think my manager probably thought I was insane that I was so grumpy about it, but I really hated it. This is before I had a formal autism diagnosis.
I think you're within your rights to say no, just try and make a logical explanation eg. my current set up has XYZ and the new one doesn't have that, etc.