How can I stop people from invading my space?

We have two of us that sit at the front desk; we have an opening to the right to get into the front lobby area and a door directly behind to have easy access to the copy center behind us. People feel that this is the walk through for them and cut through our office all the time. They come in and just start grabbing items off our desk so we have put up all the supplies, on the front counter and behind in the copy center but has not stopped them. We have told people that we work on confidential information and that every time someone walks through we stop to see if they need something and to consider how many times they walk through, now multiply that by 150 for the other employees that do the same thing. It is tough to get work done. Some people we have asked to not use this as a walkthrough have made it into a joke and just laugh as they walk through. Because we are at the front desk we can’t put up signs and I don’t think the supervisor feels it warrants a company conversation. Frustrated with you…

Color coded folders, turning off the monitor sends a message of confidentiality. If someone asked why did you turn off your monitor, “sorry, working on something confidential but please continue”. Life’s too short…eventually they will realize it’s not personal but you can’t please everyone.

Depending on the sitatuation, I think most of the ideas others listed would be great.

I don’t recommend this but give the next story for comic relieve. I worked once in a *very* informal office and got around this by putting a rubber chicken on my desk with a sign advising people that coming too close would earn them the wrath of the chicken. Believe it or not, it worked with only the occasional reminder of wiggling the chicken if someone got too close.

I have the same problem. Unfortunately, we’re in one of the least respected fields and everyone is under the impression that whatever we, as assistants, do should be public domain. I think they want to see if we are genuinely working, or maybe hopefully catching a glance at the bossman’s calendar, or corporate intelligence gathering. People who are reading this, and who aren’t in the administrative profession – clue us in as to why you and others go behind our backs to look at our screen.

My boss tells everyone, “When (Jane) is in her office or outside of her office, it’s the same as me. If I find out that she is not treated respectfully, I will be paying you a visit.” Nuf said!

I love all of the suggestions! Personally, I’ve created barriers that deters people from coming around to look at my desk. The barriers are creative from file cabinets to chairs to boxes of supplies. The hard part was to remember not to trip on them on my way out.

If I needed to leave my desk for a period of time, I put my work in a conveniently located file drawer. Sometimes I had to lock that drawer. For the times that I am there and the person wasn’t observing my “barrier,” I put all of the work I had in color-coded folders (one color for each manager I supported) and worked from the folder, one at a time. Should an oblivious person decide to wander and look at what’s on my desk, it was really easy to flip the folder shut.

Yes, there were individuals who ignored all of the subtle and not-so-subtle signs. For them, it was a matter of letting them know that it was none of their business (politely) and letting the respective manager know what was happening.

Good luck.

ugh! I know what you’re going through. Short of putting up a stop sign, just explain professionaly and quietly that your area is private. I often eat my lunch at the front desk to stop co workers from intruding during that time I put up an OUT TO LUNCH sign. It works! By Boss supports the sign. Good luck.

I make it a point to be obvious….

If they are looking around, I ask them if they need something. If they look at my screens (I have privacy screens for my double monitors) I very clearly minimize what I am working on and if it really is something confidential, I tell them that they are not allowed to look…

The first couple of times (per person), I do so jokingly. However, if they are a repeat offender, I get defensive with them.

“You know, I am working on some confidential stuff that is not appropriate for you to see. Can you please respect my privacy and not step around my desk without my permission? . If you need something, I can usually accommodate you from that side of the desk.”

Some people require direct confrontation in order to understand that what they are doing is inappropriate.

Make a list of all the legitimate reasons they come behind your desk – pens, pencils, forms, folders, other supplies, etc. Then provide access to these supplies somewhere else. Send out a memo to everyone that “these supplies are now located at (XXXX), and no one will need to come into my personal work space for those items.” You can word it as nicely as you want, but do mention your “personal work space”. If there are no legitimate reasons for people to enter your work area, then the only thing left is illegitimate reasons. Nip those in the bud, nicely but firmly. Use the other suggestions listed to make it difficulty for someone to come into your area. If someone does try to enter your personal area, stand and ask them what they are there for. They will be forced to think about the situation and deal with you. Good luck.

I have an open cubicle with my back to the office so that I can face my boss. I too have used the Windows + L when needed. However I have also “backed” up my chair for those that insist on looking over my shoulder. Most of the times I have just addressed the person by asking what can I do for them (they are not looking for paper, pencil or any other office item) most of the time they would be embarrassed and eventually go the point. Now I have them passing in front of me and wanting to talk; which is still bad, but at least my screen is not visable.

I also advised some of the other managers in passing that I didn’t like this happening and they seemed to get the word out. Good Luck

I have pens, pencils, highlighters, a pair of scissors and sticky notes on the cabinet near my desk. They completely bypass it and head for the pen or pencil on my desk. I limit myself to one pen and one pencil one my desk to help avoid this but that doesnt work either. Yes these items are company owned but I personally dont want their dirty hands all over my stuff and unfortunately one of the supervisors (not mine directly) is one of the worst offenders.

Do you find that people are often looking for a pen or paper? If so, leave some extra pens and papers on the front of your desk. Better yet, send out a memo advising folks that for their convenience you have supplied extra pens and paper in a common space.

When people come in your office, invite them to have a seat. That may stop them from coming around. If they come around anyway, say something like. “Oh, is there something I can get for you. Why don’t you have a seat over there while I get it.” After a few tries they will understand that your space is off limits. If all else fails rearrange your office spacing so that it makes it more difficult for them to enter the area behind your desk. A combination of all three suggestions will also help. Good luck.

A little redecorating could help. How is your desk set up? If you are facing your door, it sends a signal that that space (in front of desk) is yours and this space (behind desk) is mine. Also, if you have to have a chair, keep it behind your desk and put it out for appointments, etc. And a delicate plant is great. Get a nice small desk or plant stand, strategically placed.

I had a problem similar to yours, and after awhile; I had to politely and sternly inform individuals how I really felt. The intruders were unaware that this even bothered me and apologized profusely. I’m glad I did it — it freed me. Hopefully this helps. Thanks.

I have my own office but sometimes people will test to see whether you will let them snoop and see what you are working on.

I created a psychological and physical barrier. I put a lateral file behind my desk (not against the wall. Then I put items everyone might need on top of the file cabinet. It works like a counter separating the entrance portion of my office from my physical work space.

Then I put a smaller and shorter file cabinet right next to it and put a plant on it. That leaves them a very small pathway to get to my desk. The plant is noticeable. This works for most people.

For those who are just nosy or rude, I tell them that I work on confidential information and it is important that I protect the privacy of other employees as well as theirs. If this doesn’t work, then the person is just plain rude and I don’t waste time with them. I calmly tell them to leave my office because I need to focus on work at hand.

That works.

I feel your pain. I used to work in a similar space in a Congressional office and in addition to losing my pens, someone actually lifted my wallet from my purse tucked under my desk! (not my whole purse, so I didn’t even realize it was gone til I went to find my metro card at the end of the day…the thief had already charged gas and some other things…but they did eventually catch him.) But I had to cancel all my credit cards, get new driver’s license etc. A total pain. After that I kept my purse in a drawer, but a lock is an even better idea.
I should have thought about putting paper and pens out on the reception table, most people don’t mean to be rude, and it was part of my job to be friendly and helpful to all guests/delivery people, etc.

I use to work in a similiar environment. What helped me was creating a separate supply station: pencils, pens, envelopes, paper, stapler, etc and have it placed away from your desk. Whenever anyone asked me for something, I would point them to the station. Although this didn’t eliminate people from invading my space completely, it did help.

Another suggestion would be addressing the issue straight on. If you’re comfortable talking with your colleagues, you can let them know that your privacy and time is important to you. Or, have a conversation with your boss and have him/her address the issue.

Unfortunately, some people are oblivious, or don’t care. You can do everything to get people to stop, but they will continue to invade your space.

Have a quick talk with your boss about this. Ask his opinion about you putting a sign up, more than likely he/she will agree with you.

I, too, have this problem. Any advice would be helpful. I have directly spoken to each of my colleagues about it, to no avail.

I ask people if they need help finding something at my desk. Most people find this embarrassing, but not everyone.

Wow! you are lucky as an admin to have your own office! I don’t think people are doing out of rudeness or anything but they are probably used to the fact that in most companies the admins are the open support people for everyone and are there for any questions, supplies or assistance needed. They probably don’t realize your position is a little more private than the typical admin

Sometimes people are only looking for a pen/pencil and a peice of paper, so I make sure that both are on my counter available at all times…and the traffic to the other side of my desk has cut down drastically.

This is totally inappropriate. Are you able to put up dividers and make it look like a little office, so that they can only get behind you through a small area?

I don’t allow people to come behind my desk unless I ask them to. You have to speak up and just say something like, “Please don’t come behind my desk; this is a private area.”

I think it is unfortunate that those of us with our desks in an open or public space have to deal with this kind of thing, but it is going to happen. My advice would be to keep your desk as clean as possible when you are not there. Keep papers in folders or better yet, in a locked desk drawer. Put extra pens and pencils and even note pads out, so they are within easy access for those who forget to bring their own to your side of the office.

I think if you tell your co-workers how it frustrates you when it happens, some may take offense. Also, unless they are actually taking your personal items (things you bought with your money) these things belong to the company anyway. And private papers, etc, should never be left in plain site of those who don’t need to see them.

When people come into your cubicle, and you don’t have time for a chat, nor want them to be nosy and see what you are typing or working on. I found that if you stand up as if you are getting ready to step out of your cubicle, then they tend to walk away. You can politely ask if they need something, or, “Can I help you with something?” But standing up and taking a step towards the door, makes them walk away.
Also, I hit the key on the keyboard that is the windows symbol (next to the Alt key) and the ‘L’ key simultaneously which locks your keyboard and instantly covers your screen. When you use a privacy screen, it seems that it makes some people that much more curious in what you’re working on.

You can politely tell them that you prefer they do not do this. Be honest and tell them how it makes you feel. They will respect you for that. If they don’t then they were not nice people to begin with. Nice, genuine people will understand and respect your wishes.

I know this sounds silly… but just tell a couple of people how much it bothers you. My experience is that eventually people will stop because the gossip mill will get it around.

Would love feedback as I also have this problem. I purchased privacy screens for my dbl monitors and now people just walk behind me in “my space” and read my monitors. Help…Irene