Perhaps I’m a rare breed. I’ve never gone to someone elses desk and just taken something without permission. Yet, it seems to constantly happen in my work environment. I guess because I’m the office manager/administrative assistant, my title suggests that I like to be shit on.
This week I’ve come back to missing scissors, and today I came back to find my desk heater missing as well. Today happens to be a colder day in New England, and our building management doesn’t think it’s necessary to provide adequate heating for its tenants. It’s annoying to say the least, because I went out and purchased the heater in my spare time.
It doesn’t hurt to ask for things, and I’m a pretty easy going and generous person. This type of entitlement is one of my biggest pet peeves. Once you figure out that you’re not the king of the cube jungle, or the line everyone else has been waiting in, or the road on which everyone drives, you’ll be a lot better off and I think you’ll finally stop wondering why people hate you.
Because, really, they do.
I also happen to have a red swingline stapler, and if that goes missing, well there will be hell to pay.
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February 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
- Sue.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
With a Sharpie marker, write on EVERYTHING you own — “I WAS STOLEN FROM KATE BAKER (and she has a horribly contagious disease, warn the thief about it, and get him/her medical attention)”
That should do it.
If not, pick scabs, and keep them on your desk. Name them, and talk to them throughout the day. Your things should be safe.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I’d want to build an elaborate trap system to mark the heinous offenders. Mark them and shame them.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Hmm. I wonder if I’m wearing enough flair today?
February 29th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I may have a completely different workplace, but I simply told people that if any of my toys disappeared off my desk, they were all going to be REALLY SORRY.
Of course, I make the schedules for our grad students, so I do have the ability to make good on that threat. So perhaps that helps. “Next person who takes something without asking is going to be working 5AM to 2PM, Sunday through Thursday” or “Take something off my desk without asking, and all boxes of tissue will be replaced with sandpaper” etc.
Or else walk around licking you possessions.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Funnily enough, my coworker also has a red stapler. One of the shop guys painted it for him. He’s been moved in and out of office spaces a lot in his 20+ years there. ;)
March 1st, 2008 at 11:22 am
I think you should set up an Invisible Fence around your work area, then collar all your co-workers.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
What is it about the open office concept that makes everyone think it’s ok just to take things off of someone’s desk? I’m with you. It drives me absolutely nuts.
Even worse, I was out sick one day and a coworker reorganized all of my files! Let me tell you, they only did *that* once.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Excuse me, but I believe you have my stapler? Gonna burn this f’n place to the ground!