Woman Takes Over Coworker's Office When She Goes on Maternity Leave, Then Refuses to Give It Back

"Once the work-from-home employees began touring the office to prepare for their return, the issue surfaced. "When Jenn saw I was in her office, she became agitated and asked if I'd be leaving so she could take back over," the employee wrote. "I told her flatly that I had no intent to give up the office." Jenn then brought the matter to management, hoping they might step in. However, the decision did not go in her favor."

"Jenn then brought the matter to management, hoping they might step in. However, the decision did not go in her favor. "Management's immediate decision was that I was under no obligation to move out of the office," the woman explained. "I was approached and asked if I had any interest in returning to a cubicle, I said no, and there was no follow-up from my manager or HR as they both see the matter as closed.""

In 2023, Jenn took maternity leave and used the company's WFH program, leaving her office vacant. A coworker requested the vacant office, received approval from her manager, and moved from a cubicle into the private office. The company later announced all remote employees would return Nov. 17, 2025. When Jenn toured the office and found her assigned office occupied, she asked the coworker to vacate, and the coworker refused. Management determined the current occupant had no obligation to move and offered but did not require returning to a cubicle. Coworker resentment arose, and Jenn appealed privately for empathy, claiming she faced punishment.

Read at People.com