Is it rude to sit at someone's usual desk in a hot desk office?
Both at fault
The short answer
In an office without assigned seats, any free desk is fair to take. Leaving a mug and a cardigan there overnight does not reserve it.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-06099
The coworker who always sits by the window v. The coworker who took the window desk
Filed 10/18/2026
- Plaintiff
- The coworker who always sits by the window
- Defendant
- The coworker who took the window desk
Statement of claim
I have sat at the window desk every day for a year. I left my mug and cardigan there to show it was mine. On Monday he moved them to a shelf and sat down. Another desk two seats over was free.
Charge
Occupation of a habitual window desk in a hot desk office, and relocation of a mug and a cardigan
Judgment
Both at fault
Both coworkers at fault in the window desk and cardigan dispute
Sentence
The plaintiff takes her mug and cardigan home each night. The defendant takes the free desk two seats over when it is available.
How the court usually rules on this
The court follows the office's own rules first. With assigned seats, sitting at someone else's desk is rude. With hot desking, regular use creates a habit, not a right, and items left behind do not hold a place. The court still expects a newcomer to move when the regular asks nicely and another desk is free.
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