I’ve sat at the same desk at my workplace for 3 years due to my back issues. New coworker kept taking it, even after I asked him to stop. When I snapped, he went to HR. Right after that my manager called me. She said, “I don’t know how to tell you this, but… your behavior is being reviewed by HR. There’s a formal complaint, and we need to discuss it immediately.”

I felt the blood rush to my ears. What? I’ve never had an issue in three years. I came in early, stayed late, never caused drama. But now, apparently, asking someone not to take my medically-necessary desk was grounds for review?

The new guy’s name was Mark. Fresh out of university, energetic, loud, the kind that thinks the whole office is his playground. I tried to welcome him. I really did. But he kept gravitating toward my desk — the one by the window, the one I’d been assigned after my doctor submitted a formal ergonomic report. It had the chair that didn’t kill my lower back, the height-adjustable desk, and a footrest I bought myself.

I explained it kindly the first time. “Hey Mark, I actually need this desk. It’s been set up for my back problems.”

He nodded vaguely, said something like “Oh, sure, sure,” but the next day, he was there again, sipping his iced coffee like he owned the place.