Entitled coworker works remotely for 2 years following her maternity leave, then demands that another employee give back her old office when RTO is instituted: ‘She became agitated’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Nov 9, 2025 6:00 PM EST

Remote employees live the good life. They can work from anywhere, wake up with bedhead and sign onto Microsoft Teams, all the while doing yoga in between meetings. Do you sense how salty I am?

That's why when an RTO mandate is instituted, remote employees feel like it's the end of the world. Nobody wants to return to a cubicle or office when they could be working from bed while wearing a face mask and a robe. Whoever says they do want t o is probably lying to themselves because they, too, have an RTO mandate pending.

However, just because an RTO mandate for certain workers comes into effect, it doesn't mean they can return to their old physical postings. Other employees have occupied the spaces they used to roam, which is unfortunate for them, but it'd be even more unfortunate for the employee who has taken over the office space, for YEARS, to be kicked out of the space they've made a work home in.

Scroll below to read about a formerly remote employee who tries to get her old office back, even though it's been two years since it was "her" office. 

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  • 01
    a laptop sitting on top of a wooden desk in an office
    via Tahir osman For Unsplash+
  • 02

    "AITA for refusing to give my coworker their office back now that WFH has been canceled?"

    Back in 2023, a woman (Jenn) in my building left for maternity leave. After having her child, Jenn took advantage of our company's WFH program, which left her office open.
    via TossAway404040
  • 03
    I placed in a request for the space with my manager was was given the go, so I got to leave my cr y cubicle for my very own private office.
    via TossAway404040
  • 04
    My employer has announced that WFH will end on 11/17/25. All employees are to be back in the office by that date.
    via TossAway404040
  • 05
    Yeah, that sucks, I know. Yesterday, WFH employees came in for tours and desk assignments. When Jenn saw I was in her office, she became agitated and asked if I'd be leaving so she could take back over.
    via TossAway404040
  • 06
    I told her flatly that I had no intent to give up the office. Jenn spoke with a manager about this and management's immediate decision was that I was under no obligation to move out of the office.
    via Toss404040
  • 07
    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.
    via TossAway404040
  • 08
    young woman wearing glasses and blue shirt
    via Vitaly Gariev for Unsplash

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    Now, just a day later, I'm getting a stink from coworkers who think I'm punishing Jenn for something outside her control.
    via TossAway404040
  • 10
    Jenn has also emailed me, asking me to consider the position she's in and that she's already being punished by the company by being compelled to return to the building, and asking me to consider her feelings.
    via TossAway404040
  • 11
    Sincerely, I definitely understand how much this sucks for her and everyone else being forced to come back, but I like having my own office.
    via TossAway404040
  • 12
    I have a lot of stuff in here that I'd otherwise have to carry back home.
    via TossAway404040
  • 13
    I'd be giving up the privacy that I've become adjusted to, and, if I'm being honest, I enjoy actually having a nice window to look out and none of the noise of the cubicles.
    via TossAway404040
  • 14
    AITA on this one?
    via TossAway404040
  • 15
    Henwen Is there a reason Jenny had the office? High position that required privacy for calls or meetings etc? If there is no work reason for her to have the office and HR/your boss aren't telling you that you have to move, just stand your ground.
    via Henwen
  • 16
    TossAway404040 My company is weird. We have 15 non-managerial offices. When one becomes available, you may "bid" on one and whoever has the most seniority and best performance metrics wins the office. Generally, one or two offices becomes available every year either because of promotions or turnover.
    via TossAway404040
  • 17
    So Jenn and I are no different than anyone else in the cubicles. When it became available, I got it because I asked and had the seniority and metrics to win over anyone else who'd placed a request.
    via TossAway404040
  • 18
    Raz_Moon You followed the rules and worked hard, they are trying to subvert the rules and take something from you. NTA.
    via Raz_Moon
  • 19
    AJRimmer1971 "Thank you Jenn for your request to 'consider your feelings', with regards to my office. After much consideration of your feelings, I have come to the conclusion that my feelings take priority. Ciao!"
    via AJRimmer1971
  • 20
    No-Shock-2055 NTA. Maybe Jenny should consider YOUR feelings, as you've been working from the office for years. For her to "demand" her office back after she moved out of it is really entitled. Call her out to her face and don't tolerate her trying to act like you're a bad guy. Stick to facts and keep emotions out of it. Good luck!
    via No-Shock-2055
  • 21
    FormSuccessful1122 NTA She was home for 2 years. She is no longer entitled to that office. And it's absurd she thinks she would be.
    via FormSuccessful1122

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