Woman Can’t Handle A ‘No’ After Coworker Refuses To Give Back Her Old Office Space

Prior to the pandemic, many companies would have never even considered letting their employees work from home. Being in the office felt like a necessary evil. But over the past half-decade, countless workers have realized that there’s actually no reason for them to be forced into the office. And many are unhappy about having to return.

Having a work-from-home policy did benefit one office worker, though, as they finally had the opportunity to snag a private office in their company’s building. But now, the woman who used to occupy that workspace is demanding it back. Below, you’ll find the full story that was recently shared on Reddit, as well as some of the advice that invested readers left the author. 

When a colleague began permanently working from home, this person happily took over her office

Woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years, sitting at desk with papers and computer.

Image credits: Reveille Productions (not the actual photo)

But now, the whole company is being forced to work in-person, and the colleague wants her old office back

Woman expects private office back after working from home for two years, facing an unexpected reality check at work.

Woman expects her private office back after working from home for 2 years, faces unexpected reality at workplace.

Woman expects private office back after working from home for 2 years but faces a harsh reality check from management.

Woman expects her private office back after remote work for 2 years but faces unexpected reality at the workplace.

Text excerpt about a woman expecting her private office back after working from home, facing reality check.

Woman holding newborn baby in bed, reflecting on returning to private office after working from home two years

Image credits: Wesley Tingey / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Woman expects her private office back after working from home, faces reality of office assignment policy changes.

Text excerpt about a woman expecting her private office back after working from home and facing office bidding competition.

Text snippet showing an email about a manager's reply regarding an office expectation and understanding closure.

Image credits: TossAway404040

Later, the author responded to several readers and provided more background information

Comments discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home and company office allocation rules.

Woman expects her private office back after working from home for 2 years, facing an unexpected reality check.

Woman expects her private office back after working from home for two years and faces an unexpected reality check.

Online forum discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for two years and facing reality.

“Be sure to check with HR first to ensure policies are being followed”

To find out more about this situation, we got in touch with the Reddit user who shared this post, TossAway404040. They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and answer a few of our questions.

As of now, the author says there haven’t been any more updates on their situation. “Mind you, the WFH people do not return to the office space until the 17th, so for now it’s quiet.”

We were also curious about how close they are with Jenn. “I basically do not know Jenn at all,” the author shared. “There’s a large number of employees, and we’re not members of the same team. We’ve had no reason to communicate.”

What did TossAway404040 think of the reactions to their post? “I was a bit surprised how overwhelmingly people were on my side,” they noted. “The people who replied to question if me giving up the office would even mean Jenn could have it back were spot on, and led to me discussing that with HR.”

Finally, the author added some advice for anyone in a similar office space confrontation. “Be sure to check with HR first to ensure policies are being followed.”

More than one in four workdays in the United States were conducted remotely in 2024

Do you remember the uncertainty that came along with the beginning of 2020? Everything appeared to be shutting down, and there was no end to the pandemic in sight. So instead of giving employees indefinite vacations, many companies realized, for the first time, that they could actually just let their workers stay at home. And a remote work revolution began.

Intuition reports that prior to the pandemic, only 30% of employees worked from home, at least part of the time. However, after the pandemic, that number jumped up to 48%. And the number of employees who work remotely 100% of the time nearly doubled. Meanwhile, in 2024, more than one in four paid workdays in the United States were done remotely.

It’s no secret that having the option to work from home brings employees many benefits. FlexJobs notes that it provides workers with a better work-life balance, eliminates commuting stress, gives employees more flexibility as to where they can live, allows a company to hire more inclusively and helps workers save money that they would otherwise spend on commuting and lunches with colleagues.

But this year, many companies have decided that it’s time for employees to return to the office full-time. Founder Reports writes that 27% of American companies will implement a fully in-person work model by the end of 2025.

Nearly half of all companies requiring employees to return to the office five days a week even say they are prepared to fire or discipline workers who refuse to comply. Over a third of companies now enforce office attendance requirements, and 25% of executives admit that they hope some employees will quit due to being forced to return to the office indefinitely. 

But many companies are abandoning remote work initiatives in 2025

Woman working from home with child on lap, using laptop while wearing headphones in a casual home setting

Image credits: Getty Images / not the actual photo)

So why are companies so adamant about getting employees into the office? Forbes notes that part of it is about “absorbing the organizational culture.” Companies want to strengthen teams by forcing them to spend time together, while reinforcing the values of the organization by simply being in the same space.

Unsurprisingly, bosses also see being in the office as an easier way to track their employees’ productivity. You can keep a closer eye on workers when you’re all in the same workspace, which also gives managers the chance to offer feedback in real time. 

Another important factor for businesses is being able to justify the cost of keeping an office. It doesn’t make sense to pay rent and bills on a huge space if the majority of workers are choosing to stay home. Your boss might want you in there to fill a seat and take advantage of the resources that the company is already paying for.

Forbes also points out that companies may attempt to boost morale by gathering everyone in the same place. It’s easy to feel disconnected from your colleagues and your job if you sit at home by yourself every day. But hosting in-person events and making sure that the office is a warm, inviting place can help workers feel more engaged and committed to the company.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this person was right to refuse to give up their office? Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing return-to-office drama, look no further than right here!

Many readers assured the author that they were not obligated to give up the office

Reddit comment discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years.

Text comment about a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years and facing a reality check.

Comment screenshot showing a user suggesting to contact HR for investigation about a workplace issue after working from home.

Comment about woman expecting her private office back after working from home 2 years, facing reality of losing it permanently.

Reddit comment discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years.

Comment about coworker’s control over working from home for 2 years and losing her private office space.

Woman expects her private office back after working from home for 2 years but faces unexpected reality at work.

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Comment about a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years, facing a reality check.

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Comment on a post about a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years, expressing disbelief about pregnancy affecting work-from-home decisions.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment advising to escalate to HR due to hostile work environment after working from home.

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Comment discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years and facing a reality check.

Woman expects her private office back after working from home for 2 years, facing unexpected reality at work.

Comment discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years and facing reality.

However, some thought it was selfish of them to keep it

User comment about woman expecting her private office back after working from home, highlighting office space conflict.

User comment on Reddit discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home for 2 years.

Comment text discussing a woman expecting her private office back after working from home, facing reality check.

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Woman working from home looking surprised while expecting her private office back after 2 years WFH reality check

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