Is moving desks at work a reasonable request?

[africa23]

I am a team manager, and want to ask my team members to move desks. The reason being is that I have a number of experienced staff and some less so who would benefit from mixing more. The experienced staff sit together. One of the team has objected to this and is about to place a grievance. There are a number of team members who are now not talking to me about the move of desks due to this one team member not liking it. Am I being reasonable, and I am now starting to feel bullied into not moving desks around for the team due to these few team members.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[kawakiri]

IF the desk moves will help the team move them, do they know why you want the moves?

[redcrx]

your'e the manager, get them to move desks if you feel it will benefit staff members.

Its not as if your'e changing their job descriptions just where they sit.

[craft1948]

I would sit and list the pros and cons of moving the desks. If at the end you decide this will be beneficial to team performance I would go for it. Present your thoughts to the team and ask for any justifiable reasons for the move not taking place. Whatever you do, do not just back down because of this one person, or your authority will fly out of the window.

[Eve]

Have you explained to them why?

I'd be tempted to remind them that it's their workplace and to grow up!

I can understand you not wanting to ruffle feathers though, at the end of the day, you are there to manage and not pander to all their personal preferences, especialy if it gets in the way of work efficiency.

Are you sure there isn't a specific reason for someone not wanting to move? Might be worth a private chat to make sure there is no element of bullying or nastiness of similar going on which is why there has been the reaction there has.

If you can compromise in a way that doesn't undermine your authority but keeps the peace then go for it but you can't please everyone all of the time and they are there to work, not socialise.

Be reasonable but not a walkover, if you give in now without good reason then you could be making a road for your own back.

[Eve]

Rod for your own back even.

[Prudie]

docspock is right. Handling this exact situation was on a promotional exam at my work and as a manager you had to handle it. Explain why you want to move the seating and the benefit it will bring to the team. Be firm but pleasant to the one that is objecting - what are their grounds, often people pull the medical type thing - need the window cos I can't see, need the radiator because I get cold etc. Doesn't seem much grounds for a grievance imo.

[africa23]

I have explained that it will spread the experience out across the team, and also increase performance. The person in question who is objecting does not like change, and confronted me by asking what would happen if she refused to move.The team are now being affected by this negative behaviour.

[Prudie]

other posts weren't there when I started!

[factor-fiction]

I had similar issues with people who wanted to sit near a window, sit where X couldn't see them, sit facing east, etc.
You are the manager. Whilst consultation and seeking agreement is usaually a good idea there are times when you just have to tell people. Listen to their concerns but don't waste too much time over it- if you can achieve a mutually satisfactory solution then that's fine; otherwise just press ahead.
If they are gong to make a big issue over this you have to ask whether they are really commited to working for you. Tell them that whilst you appreciate their contribution you recognise they are not happy and will not stand in their way if they want to leave.

[4getmenot]

me and my mate used to laugh too much during work so another woman moved her to face the wall lol

[Jan1957]

Have you asked the team member who has objected what the problem is. I do understand you are the team manager but sometimes there are genuine reasons why people do not want to move. My team manager did this to our team and I was put next to someone who did nothing but talk all day, to anyone who would listen. I found this so distracting and asked to be moved again. My whole team then became funny with me and in the end I hated going to work. Fortunately I no longer work there.

[factor-fiction]

All these posts weren't there when I started typing- albeit slowly as I'm being distarcted by the cricket

[africa23]

Team member who is objecting has said that she likes the people that she sits with and doesnt want the upheaval.

[Jan1957]

Sorry didn't see your answer when I did mine. If it is just because they don't like change I would take no notice, but do consider that all team members don't always get on and have different ways of working. Mine was to stick my head down and get on with my work. Others liked to gossip and laugh all day, which drove me mad. They were all a lot younger than me though.

[craft1948]

lol leave her there and move everyone around her

[Prudie]

Jan you could have been in my old office! Luckily I'm on my own now but when i was in with others my stress levels went through the roof because one person laughed and talked all day to the others to the point that I often couldn't hear people on the phone. I got in a state because I thought if I complained they'd think I was a stuck-up boring old bag.

[Count-A-Strong]

WEll this is all a little bit pathetical isn't it. In my day you would be able to fire people
for not moving. How far apart are the experienced and non experienced people? Could they not just walk over to one another or use emails, then everyone could stay in their present locations.

[africa23]

We work in call centre, and walking around and using emails would not get calls/customers dealt with. If experienced staff are intermingled with less experienced staff, all staff members will benefit and the customer too.

[Jan1957]

Think we could have been Prudie. I did complain though and was made to feel like a miserable old bag. I used to be in tears by the end of the day. When I left it was such a relief.