FT.com | Dear Lucy | ‘I get obsessive compulsive about my coworkers touching my stuff’

‘I get obsessive compulsive about my coworkers touching my stuff’

September 4, 2008

I work in a team of four researchers and I have a problem that I realise will seem laughably small, but is really getting to me. I am a very neat person, and every night I leave my pad and pen to the right of my keyboard. In the last few weeks I have found that when I come in it has been moved to exactly the same position on the left. Even when I go out at lunchtime I come back to find that small movements have been made to my desk. I don’t know which of the three is laughing at me. Perhaps they all are. If I protest I will look ridiculous but to do nothing condemns me as a victim. What do you suggest?
Researcher, male, 37

Lucy’s Answer

As my own desk is a heap of papers, old magazines and dirty cups, I struggle to find my pad at all. I’m struggling even harder to understand how it can matter so much which side of the keyboard yours is on.

So I’ve sought expert advice from a colleague who is dedicated to leaving his pen exactly parallel to his pad at all times. I explained your problem and he looked stricken. “That is not laughably small – it’s terrible,” he said.

He urges you to stick a Post-It note to your pad saying: Please don’t move this pad. I see it might seem funny to you, but I have an obsessive-compulsive condition and so find it upsetting to find my pad in the wrong place. Thank you.

I bow to his wisdom and experience, but this strikes me as a little heavy-handed. If your colleagues are simply engaging in light joshing, they could be so mortified by this note they might start treating you as a leper. But if they are in fact trying to be horrible, your note will please them as it will tell them they are succeeding.

Most readers suggest you respond to a joke with a joke. Variously they urge you to Super Glue the pad to the desk, put petroleum jelly on the pen, write a jokey message under the pad or – most imaginatively – empty the hole punch into their umbrellas.

These pranksters all think the problem will be solved if you show you can take a joke, but I’m not so sure. My colleague has a stronger than average sense of humour - except when the positioning of his pen is at stake.

If I were you I would skip the schoolboy pranks, and do nothing. This does not make you a victim: it means you are rising above it. They only do it for a response, and if they don’t get one they will stop soon enough.

September 4th, 2008 in Uncategorised | Permalink

76 Responses to “‘I get obsessive compulsive about my coworkers touching my stuff’”

Comments

You are the butt of a joke. Someone (and probably more than 1 person) is pointing out that they find your neatness amusing. It may not even be the three other team members. However, your obsession with this situation indicates that you are clearly bordering on OCD, if not firmly planted in it. The actions of the persecutor(s) is therefore tantamount to bullying and should be viewed as no less as serious as racism or sexism. In your next team meeting point out your issue and insist that it stops. If you fail to put an end to this torture by verbal persuasion there is a danger that your situation deteriorates, you become increasingly stressed and end up bringing an assortment of semi automatic weapons and other hand guns to the office to resolve the issue once and for all. And no one wants that!
Posted by: Mr T, VIP, UK | September 4th, 2008 at 6:21 am | Report this comment
Sneeze loudly all over your pad…. no one will touch it then. Or perhaps write, “Leave my stuff alone ******* (insert suitable insult)” on it.
Posted by: Mike, 33 | September 4th, 2008 at 8:38 am | Report this comment
“The wise bamboo sways with the wind.” If the guys are playing jokes on you, joke back. It is not like they are doing anything truely horrid… moving a pen hardly qualifies as a “hurtful” joke. So i suggest you find a way to play a practical joke on the joker(s). He(they) might have a good laugh and stop….or play a joke back on you. Both results are positive.
Posted by: Johan, Male, Equity Analyst, 22 | September 4th, 2008 at 9:04 am | Report this comment
Are all these problems that Lucy brings up symptomatic of a poor corporate culture in the UK? I keep thinking of the effect on productivity : the time that’s wasted, the distractions from the work that’s waiting to be done, and the depressing effect on the people who are the victims. Perhaps video cameras in the office are now also a must?

P.S. Video surveillance has also become a fast-growing sector Germany. The leading company Mobotix went public and the share was a winner.
Posted by: J.J. | September 4th, 2008 at 9:25 am | Report this comment
Leave your pad and pen on the left hand side when you go to lunch.

Either they will get moved back to where you want them and/or your colleagues will realise you have a sense of humour.

Also interact with your colleagues more, they are just seeking your attention in a way that does no harm to you.
Posted by: Clive | September 4th, 2008 at 10:26 am | Report this comment
They’re playing a moderately amusing joke on you. I strongly disagree with Mr T who said this was tantamount to racism or sexism. You will look far better if you come across as having a sense of humour. But you don’t want to be victim, as you said. So I recommend you leave something under the pad to make them laugh and show you get the joke. Perhaps a document headed “Top Secret Plans for World Domination” with some spoof points on it like “Make colleague X the king of Mongolia.” Or perhaps a funny photo from the internet (of which there are millions).
Posted by: Danny Callaghan, Male, 33, Financial Services Contractor | September 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am | Report this comment
I totally agree with Danny Callaghan. Make a joke of it just as they are. You should laugh when you come in and see your pad and pen are moved even if you are feeling upset. They are almost certainly looking for your reaction so show them that you are not taking it too seriously and that you think it is as funny as they do. Rather than letting this get to you so much use it as a way to show your colleagues your good side.
Posted by: Amy | September 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm | Report this comment
Try putting your pad neatly on the left that will fox them.
Posted by: Toby Flood | September 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm | Report this comment
Try putting your pad on the left, that will fox them
Alternatively, get a grip….
Posted by: Toby Flood | September 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm | Report this comment
Remove your pad and pen and take them with you. Or when you go out, take your pen and pad and give them to one the 3 colleagues and ask them to take good care of them and to make sure that they are not hurt.

I agree with the above comments, you should play jokes back at them. Maybe you can find some ‘police line -do not cross-’ tape, and you can stick in on your desk.
Posted by: Derek, 29, male, Online Marketeer | September 4th, 2008 at 12:45 pm | Report this comment
Lighten up. At best, work sucks - let’s have a little fun. Don’t get mad - get even. When one of your cohorts goes to lunch, turn everything on their desk backward. The best part is they probably wouldn’t suspect you as the culprit.
Posted by: Gary, 51, M, Sr Mgr | September 4th, 2008 at 1:17 pm | Report this comment
My first instinct was the same as many of the posters - leave the pad on the left. I would recommend you do this if possible. Moving the pad and other items back again merely prolongs the game for them - eventually they’ll get bored.

However, this depends on you being able to do this. If you do have OCD, then it may be impossible for you. If this is the case, then I think a different approach is called for. Firstly you should seek treatment if you haven’t already. Secondly, you should tell your colleagues. Simply explain, either in person or by email, the basics of your condition and the effect that their jokes therefore have on you. Make it clear that you bear them no grudge and that were things different you would see the joke (even if you feel this is not true).
Posted by: Anna, 26, Female, Statistician | September 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pm | Report this comment
You sound borderline-OCD to me. I suggest tapping into your neuroplasticity to rewire your brain. Get the book “Change your brain, change your life” and read the chapters on the cingulate system.
Posted by: Jurgen Ponti | September 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm | Report this comment
If you have OCD, this won’t be the only problem you face, at work or otherwise. I suggest you seek treatment for OCD. Also, try and loosen up at work. Take things easy. Laugh at yourself. If possible, be as messy as your neighbours. Remember, you need to change. www.winnowed.blogspot.com Male, 33, Lawyer, London
Posted by: Vinod Joseph | September 4th, 2008 at 2:12 pm | Report this comment
I think you need to step out of character and tell your tedious colleagues, “This is where I work. Please don’t mess with it. I don’t go to where your mum works and hide her mop, do I?”

Director, 39
Posted by: brian | September 4th, 2008 at 3:16 pm | Report this comment
This one’s easy.
Surreptitiously superglue your pad and pen to your desk at the end of the day.
Come in the next day and put your superglue bottle on the desk, laugh out loud, and get on with your job.
Oliver, 44, Male, IR Manager
Posted by: Oliver Larkin | September 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm | Report this comment
You’re not only neat, dear boy, you are prissy and you are a natural-born patsy. I will wager that each time you return to your desk and find your pad and pen moved, you let out an anguished sigh of exasperation that translates loudly as “This is too much to bear!”
Time to grow up and join in the fun. Laugh insted of groaning. Don’t move your gear back, it’s fine wherever it is.

Wes Pedersen, male, executive
Posted by: Wes Pedersen | September 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pm | Report this comment
I always thought that the hit series “The Office” was constructed, made up, invented. Now I know it was not. In fact, it must have been filmed at your office.

Per Sjofors, 52, Male, CEO, Los Angles
Posted by: Per Sjofors | September 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm | Report this comment
We played a very similar joke many years ago on an equally uptight colleague. The more he got upset about our ever so slight re-arrangements of his notepad, pen etc. the more we got a kick out of this. You should rapidly develop a sense of humour and realise that your colleagues are trying to help you to overcome your OCD. They will appreciate you eventually acknowledging their joke and move on.
Posted by: MW, Male, 39, Director | September 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm | Report this comment
I know what to do. Ignore it, they will get bored, and it will go away. I learned that as a person of Jewish descent
Posted by: Moe Ben | September 4th, 2008 at 6:24 pm | Report this comment
They are having a laugh at you. You could ignore them, and they would either quit or might even escalate things. Perhaps a better option is to turn the prank on them. Some very messy, lasting substance on the underside of the pen which will transfer to their hands once they’ve picked up the pen should suffice. Or figure out a way to trigger a very loud motion-activated alarm to go off when things are moved one day; if he/she is like most juvenile pranksters they will be terrified at the attention or the thought of being caught and reprimanded and thus either cease the pranks or find another victim.
Posted by: Scott, 44, Director | September 4th, 2008 at 7:32 pm | Report this comment
Has anyone thought that it might well be the cleaners doing the rounds at night? Perhaps your cleaner is left handed - he/she wipe down the table and put your stuff back…

If you’re sure its someone in the office having a joke then get some nougut or something and layer it underneath the pad so it will stick to their fingers if they try and move it. Or some guagamole (?) paste.

I had a girlfriend who suffered from OCD’s - North American TV commercials are the worst to abuse this on people. You need to learn to relax - I don’t mean to make fun over you but do something like yoga or pilates or something. You’ll find the world is not perfect and learn to like it for that…

Randell D / 37years young man / IT Contractor and part-time Chief Domestic Engineer
Posted by: Randell D. | September 4th, 2008 at 8:26 pm | Report this comment
Have some fun with them. Go get 3 piles of fake rubber dog dew and place them in a very neat arrangement. It will crack them up
Posted by: Tim 48 male president | September 4th, 2008 at 11:29 pm | Report this comment
Your coworkers are trying to get you to lighten up and maybe even bond. Or maybe they are just slightly evil. Have some fun with it! If leaving your pad and pen at various other locations doesn’t stop it, you are perfectly justified in tying their chairs under their desks or filling their desk drawers with popcorn, but not both. This should be closely followed by an invitation to a local pub after work. Eric, mid 50s, male, Engineer.
Posted by: Eric L | September 5th, 2008 at 12:18 am | Report this comment
Fortunately I am in a position of authority.

I work in an open concept office with large desks. I am very neat and yes, even suffering from borderline OCD.

I often find stuff moved by my colleagues - just that little bit enough to annoy me. When I had had enough, I sent out an email message saying it wouldn’t be tolerated anymore. At the same time I installed a camera and sure enough I caught the culprit.

I confronted him the next day and he flatly denied, saying that I was picking on him. I showed him the clip and said I had wanted to give him a chance to explain but he chose to lie.

I fired him. I haven’t had any trouble since. I am not Mr Popular but if you can’t respect my space, too bad.
Posted by: Trevor Lee | September 5th, 2008 at 2:31 am | Report this comment
I have a little sister about 8 years younger than me. To protect her stuff when she was young she attached labels to it saying, “If you touch this you will die”. Scared the hell out of me. Perhaps you should write this on your pad?
Posted by: Sabine Nooteboom | September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 am | Report this comment
Get a grip, or get a gun.

Shoot them all they have it coming, you know they do ha ha ha.

Seriously there is no such thing as mental illness and smoking is not difficult to quit its all made up by quacks so they can charge you money for “curing” you.

My suggestion is that if you really can’t handle this you quit and get a job that is better suited to your neediness.
Posted by: Brad Emery | September 5th, 2008 at 4:43 am | Report this comment
Coat your pen with petroleum jelly when you go out….the joke will be on the jokester. He will be surprised and disgusted when he touches your stuff.
Posted by: Bill Crowley | September 5th, 2008 at 5:48 am | Report this comment
When You Arrive shout:
‘The one who change my pad is the son of a b****!’(change the insult often but always very very offensive), everyday, be sure that they can ear it. Say it to anyone who talks with you, better if they and other people in of the staff can ear you. If that does not work…

KILL THEM!!!!, KILL THEM ALL!!!
Posted by: Paco Jones \' the Quiet man\' ,38, psiquiatrist | September 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am | Report this comment
You are a shy, neat person. The world needs shy, neat people and you shouldn’t be persecuted for it or forced to change your personality. Deal with the problem in a shy, neat way. Take aside the colleague who you trust the most, and explain that this is really upsetting you. It’s not funny, it’s bullying. When word gets around, it should stop. If not, have the same conversation with your boss. Good luck.
Posted by: brian | September 5th, 2008 at 8:51 am | Report this comment
What you should do next time it’s raining is to empty the hole puncher into their closed umberellas. Then when they leave the office they’ll open their umberellas and get hundreds of white bits of paper stuck to their damp clothes. They will never suspect it’s you and turn their attention to each other. Problem solved.
Posted by: Roberto | September 5th, 2008 at 9:02 am | Report this comment
You are exposing yourself to more bullying if you take this too seriously. Moving your pad from one side to the other seems harmless enough as a joke, and I can imagine that your colleagues may find your reaction quite funny. After all, this is funny enough to be a running joke in the program “the office”. It’s quite childish, though, and as kids usually do, if you don’t do anything or don’t show any emotion, they will probably get bored rather quickly. And yes, kids can be quite mean without knowing the limits.
Posted by: Blandine, female, 30, analyst | September 5th, 2008 at 9:36 am | Report this comment
How did you ever make it through school? Didn’t you learn that if you don’t react, they’ll get bored and move on? Speaking as someone who used to randomly turn my coworker’s neatly ordered books up-side down, that’s exactly what will happen.
Posted by: Jeff | September 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am | Report this comment
I used to do something similar with a coworker of mine. My gripe is that his manias were deeply annoying to his subordinates. They were silly and made him look extremely petty. For example, he would only read a text given to him if it was in Arial, font 12, 1,5 space, one-inch margin on each side. There were many other manias I won’t mention, but the important thing is that his obsessiveness and whims slowed us all down.

So before he arrived I’d move a pen to another side. Or I’d put the stapler horizontally instead of vertically. Each time he noticed but I was never there to get the brunt of his anger, I only heard it through other coworkers. Well, in my defense, I was 22. End result? Nothing ever changed, I got tired of the joke, and a decade later he’s still as obsessive as he was, though I’ve moved up ever since and barely meet him. I don’t hold a grudge, btw. I found his obsession amusing most of the time, annoying at times, but always respected his intellect and good nature. It was never hatred, it was mostly a reminder that some things ARE too small to worry about. And I was 22, nowadays I would have been more accepting of his personality.
Posted by: Luciana | September 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm | Report this comment
Your obsessive behavior may have annoyed them in the past and this has prompted them to retaliate. Take a moment to contemplate how your habits might infringe on their office experience. I doubt they would have noticed your mousepad if you didn’t have some other very obvious obsessions and habits.
Posted by: JMB | September 5th, 2008 at 3:06 pm | Report this comment
I think a sense of humour is v. necessary as others have posted. Though I am sorry for your troubles as this type of prank must be quite a distraction to your otherwise orderly work routine.

As with most childish behaviour, distraction usually holds the key to making it stop. I would give one of the three (hopefully not the ring leader) an additional title: office supply manager. Then sign him/her up on every mailing list going for any office supply catalogue (the thicker the better) on the market.

If you pretend not to notice the accumulation of catalogues, they’ll soon start fighting amongst themselves and leave you alone.

Good luck.
Posted by: Anne, female, 38, self employed | September 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm | Report this comment
Sometimes neighbours in the workplace (especially guys) do indeed pull these types of pranks as a way of team-bonding, getting people’s attention in a friendly way, or just due to boredom and “for a minor laugh”. It’s not always malicious; other examples include tampering with your chair (raising/lowering/relocating it etc), or rearranging any documents a person has on their desk, particularly if they’re arranged/stacked very neatly.

However, I can appreciate that this type of malarkey can become annoying and possibly disturbing to the target if they do not necessarily trust one or more of their colleagues (ie. they’re not actually friends with them in the real sense) and they feel they are being unfairly picked on, resulting in them becoming paranoid (possibly justifiably) that their colleagues are ridiculing them being their back. What’s happening is superficially quite minor, but if it’s genuinely causing you grief, then ideally the culprits should stop as a mark of basic respect for you, regardless of whether or not they think the joke is actually a “big deal”.

Therefore, buddy, you have a series of options:

1. The next time this happens and the other three researchers are present (ideally including the person you’re closest friends with), mention that someone keeps moving your stuff. Do this in a light-hearted and jokey way. Your colleagues will either ‘fess up or deny all knowledge and/or possibly blame it on the cleaners.

2. This may cause the problem to stop, if it is indeed being perpetrated by one of the other researchers or they know who the culprit actually is (or if it’s someone else and they overhear your remarks). However, if it happens again, mention the incident again to your team-mates, still amiably but *slightly* more irritably. And do it loudly enough for other people in the vicinity to clearly hear you.

3. If your belongings are tampered with yet again, mention this during the next formal team-meeting (if you have these on a regular basis) where your manager is present. Express your concerns quietly but firmly and professionally — enough to get the message across, but do not become over-heated. State that if the perpetrator is in the room, you would like them to desist. Hopefully your manager will back you up (in “actions” as well as words, ie. they won’t just be paying lip-service to your remarks and nodding their head sympathetically) and will take the necessary actions to prevent a recurrence of these pranks. Presumably these “actions” will be informal at this stage.

4. If you subsequently find that your belongings are still being moved around, then the perpetrators are either not amongst your immediate team-mates or they are someone else entirely. And you are also possibly a victim of genuine bullying rather than jokey blokey gestures of friendliness/bonding. In which case, this is now an HR issue, and should be escalated formally.

Alternatively, depending on your corporate culture and how approachable your security department is, you may wish to consider asking them to review the security camera footage from the time of the next/most recent incident. This will obviously unmask whoever’s pestering you. You can subsequently make an informed decision as to whether to approach/confront the individual directly or discuss it with your manager; however, I would advise against wearing a black mask and cape, speaking in a threatening raspy voice, and dangling the guy upside down from the nearest open window.
Posted by: S, male, thirties | September 5th, 2008 at 5:15 pm | Report this comment
“resulting in them becoming paranoid (possibly justifiably) that their colleagues are ridiculing them being their back” should of course say “…..ridiculing them BEHIND their back”.
Posted by: S, male, thirties | September 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm | Report this comment
I’m appalled at how callous most of the commenters here are.

I’m a fairly unorganized person but I would never dream of deliberately messing up someone else’s space. And as an executive I would fire the perpetrator on the spot if I found out a subordinate was doing so to anyone in my organization.
Posted by: molon labe | September 5th, 2008 at 5:20 pm | Report this comment
This is the worst case of bullying I have ever heard of. This type of behavior does not need to be tolerated. The next time this outrage occurs you should:

- Document everything. Take pictures and describe the scene in detail.
- Send a company-wide memo sharing your outrage and how it affects you emotionally.
- Barge into your CEO’s office and lay out your evidence on his desk and ask him what he/she is going to do about it.
- Go on a hunger strike until the culprits are brought to justice!
- Get a life.
Posted by: Tim | September 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm | Report this comment
Researcher male 37,
do not rule out ghosts. Many years ago I was a researcher in Nottingham and victimized for some time by a stinking ghost. The spirit didn’t touch my stuff, but he or she was no less of a nuisance.An old lecturer from Scotland eventually succeeded in sending the stinking soul to rest in peace.
Try with garlic.
Paolo-Milan
Posted by: Paolo - Milan | September 5th, 2008 at 7:37 pm | Report this comment
Go to a pet store. Buy a big tarantula. Make him a little leash so that you can tie him to your pen or pad whenever you leave the office.
Posted by: You're Wierd | September 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm | Report this comment
Assuming your colleagues have internet access, change their browser preferences to the revolting/embarrassing/insulting website of your choice. If you’re so inclined, you can even set up your own site (www.donttouchmystuff.com, for instance) and direct them thither.

Alternatively, you could hold sham phone calls with your “solicitor”, “psychiatrist”, or “brother in the SAS.” Say things like: “So you got the CCTV footage…Really? So that’s it, then….That much? From moving a pad of paper? Really? His HOUSE?!” or “They aren’t working. They make me nauseous and I think they’re making the voices louder!” or “Right. [describe colleague in comically unflattering terms]…yes, yes…no…just broken….well, a LITTLE permanent damage is all right I suppose…” You get the idea.

Best of luck.
Posted by: Chris, 41, male, copywriter | September 5th, 2008 at 11:02 pm | Report this comment
Shakespeare addressed this woman’s problem best: “The fault, dear Caesar, is not with the stars, but wuth ourselves”. She reminds of the boss I had who complained about using a blue pen instead of a back one and went ballistic when she found out a colleague used a red pen, or when she told me my phone password required too much “finger movement”. You have OCD big-time, baby. Get treated before it destroys you. And leave your coworkers alone. You made yourself a moving target.
Posted by: Greg | September 6th, 2008 at 5:54 am | Report this comment
Shakespeare addressed this woman’s problem best: “The fault, dear Caesar, is not with the stars, but with ourselves”. She reminds of the boss I had who complained about me using a blue pen instead of a black pen and went ballistic when she found out another colleague used a red pen, or when she told me my phone password required too much “finger movement”. You have OCD big-time, baby. Get treated before it destroys you. And leave your coworkers alone. you made yourself a moving target.
Posted by: Greg | September 6th, 2008 at 5:55 am | Report this comment
It does you credit that you try to pass this problem off as being small.

Whoever is playing this juvenile prank has crossed an important line in office life - the space on your desk and in your desk is your private space. Nobody should be messing with it, not even the cleaner.

I doubt that you would be ridiculed by complaining to the group. The most likely reason that this behaviour continues is that you don’t complain.

Should the interference continue after your complaint then it is starting to look like bullying - and that is an issue you can take to management. Anyone found doing this in my organisation, after being asked to stop, would find themselves being told to either grow up or face disciplinary action.

Male, 56, VP
Posted by: Chris J | September 6th, 2008 at 9:11 am | Report this comment
Put the pens in the middle of the desk when you leave. It shows that you see the prank and is answering with another. Interesting to see if someone will continue to put them to the left - or try to the right.
Or put them to the left sometimes, to the right sometimes, and in the middle other times. Or skip the whole thing.
Posted by: Roger A | September 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am | Report this comment
Whether this is trivial or not doesn’t matter. You’re the butt of a joke.

You should decide whether to change yourself - as some posters have suggested - or to deal with culprits.

Should you decide to go the latter route, have a technical friend help set up a discreet computer webcam to find out who is playing jokes on you. It may indeed be several people.

Once you have your evidence, ask them nicely once to stop - in private. Then go on the offensive.
Posted by: Norbert | September 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pm | Report this comment
As adults are involved here, I recommend clear communication. Acknowledge that they have had their fun, but they should stop as their actions are now bullying. Advice that you should behave differently misses the point. You want that pad and pen to the right of the keyboard. So be it. Also, I am not a mental health professional, but I imagine there is a lot more to OCD than having strong preferences about objects which should be under your exclusive control.
Posted by: David 55 "Kellaway Facebook Fan" | September 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm | Report this comment
Dear friend, you need to get to the root of the problem. Even if you manage to get the cooperation of your co workers, the OCD and the factors that are causing it, will manifest itself in other interpersonal issues.
As international management guru Swami Sukhabodhananda (www.ohmindrelaxplease.org)says, one must try to increase one’s comfort zone instead of being touchy about many things. He recommends a wonderful way to destress by going in for belly laughter every 45 minutes for about a minute. Since it is practically not possible to laugh in the office so frequently, one could go to the loo and laugh silently but using belly movements. Try it for 3 weeks and feel the difference.
You could also try to destress through Yoga or seido karate.
As you destress, you will find your need for obsessive neatness disappearing and your coworkers becoming more cooperative.
All the best

Rajesh Narula, Male 44 years, Chief Value Creator, Micro-Marketers.
Posted by: Rajesh Narula | September 6th, 2008 at 7:21 pm | Report this comment
It could be one person, but if three colleagues are ‘ganging up’ and playing a prank, it’s more a matter of laughing at the victim of the prank and not with them.

I agree that it could be construed as low level bullying, although this really depends on intention, whether they are trying to ostracise and intimidate in some way, or whether, as someone else mentioned, it is a bit of an attention seeking thing, hey, pay us some attention, talk to us, have a laugh with us. Years ago I worked in an office where an anonymous person kept moving a random rubber duck that had happened to be on a cupboard. One day, I went into the ladies room and found it swimming in the basin. It was just some light relief that amused the person who was doing it, who kept us all speculating, and amused us by finding the duck in different places around the office. This could be a similar thing. Or then again it could be spiteful and malicious.

I agree with the idea of putting the mouse mat and pen on the left one day, and waiting to see if it’s moved to the right. They probably will find that funny, and then Researcher will be participating in the joke as opposed to just the butt of it.

It’s possible, though, that Researcher is a bit more than simply OCD-ish but may be further along the autistic spectrum, perhaps Asperger’s Syndrome. If the OCD is deeply entrenched and/or if the Researcher is Aspie, then doing something like this would be the equivalent of taking a red pen and correcting a dyslexic colleague’s emails or handwritten notes.

Just as a dyslexic colleague wouldn’t be able to help their poor spelling, and people wouldn’t dream of correcting a Post It note with red ink, correcting the obsessively tidy habits of someone with OCD or further along the spectrum should be viewed as equally in poor taste.
Posted by: Lulu | September 7th, 2008 at 12:48 am | Report this comment
You must feel very out of place in your office, something like a New York Post writer working for the Wall Street Journal. Many readers have suggested that you shift your notebook to the left but this is merely being contrary and will encourage your persecutors to shift it back to the right. You should rise above the crowd and become a contrarian: leave your notebook BENEATH the keyboard. If being a contrarian does not win you respect and money you can at least console yourself with the belief that you have risen above your coworkers and FT readers.
Posted by: Investor, male, 51 | September 7th, 2008 at 4:38 am | Report this comment
Get an additional pen and pad and place them on the left side so you now have two sets flanking your precious keyboard. Imagine their frustration!

Alternately, start bringing heavy liquor to work and imbibing during work hours. Let them see what they’ve driven you to, those vicious monsters!
Posted by: Mike | September 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am | Report this comment
Firstly, are you sure it is your colleagues? Faced with a situation of a moving keyboard and mouse to an uncomfortable position, I found it was our cleaning lady who would clean when I am away from my desk (she would lay in wait for the opportunity, not wanting to disturb me). I also think imagination can easily play tricks and make me believethat perhaps my mouse was somewhere else the day before.

I am one of three female engineers in an engineering department consisting of maybe 100 male engineers. We love playing jokes on each other - the men play them on us to get our attention and we return the favour, usually outdoing them in creativity. What matters is that we all laugh about it.

You mention that you are in a small team - there are only 4 of you - but you do not mention if you joke a lot as a team. The fact you say your colleagues are not saying anything or openly laughing would have me check out the cleaning lady theory.

As for checking the position of your desk every day, Iwould simply make the torturesome decision not to do so. There is more to life than committing energy to that!
Posted by: Female, Engineer, 35 | September 7th, 2008 at 1:31 pm | Report this comment
A guy in a crowded bar left this note next to his drink when he went to the rest room ” I spat in my drink “. He returned to find added on the note ” So have I “. Go figure.
Posted by: Out of the box | September 7th, 2008 at 4:09 pm | Report this comment
I would try to rise above it - easy for you to say, I hear you comment, but I too have been the butt of office jokes albeit when I was much younger (i’m 43 now). I work in what is often a highly charged team atmosphere and people need to know that you will conform with the team behaviour. Be individual, sure, but your neatness is clearly irritating team members who feel that your behaviour is threatening to them in some way and they are finding it a cause for anxiety and unable to deal with it and, who knows, are perhaps taking the action you are suggesting. However, they may not be so I would urge you to let this go and move on. Simply outperform them to get your own back and the focus will be on them, not you!
Posted by: John | September 7th, 2008 at 5:12 pm | Report this comment
Sadly you are the one who is out of step with this whacky world. Either get a pile of pads and scatter them around your desk or stop moving your one pad back to the starting position - but each “solution” requires you to change. Geddit?
Posted by: Geoff | September 7th, 2008 at 10:31 pm | Report this comment
Seriously though.

Have you ACTUALLY said anything?

Can I recommend “guys, whos’ touching my stuff?”

This may elicit the response that the same thing is happening to them therefore the cleaning lady will have to be eliminated.

Alternatively can I suggest an ex SAS or Spetznatz sniper team in the office block opposite?
Posted by: Stuart - FD | September 8th, 2008 at 12:33 pm | Report this comment
I have seen how hard OCD, or borderline OCD, can be on some people but have you tried talking yourself into calming down when the pad is on the left side of the desk? Maybe distract yourself with something calming (tea? favourite website?) when you feel like snapping? I would suggest taking it all with a sense of humour but I know that can be difficult when you feel personally affronted. Remember that this might NOT be personal and you should speak up if you feel comfortable doing so. If you can learn to relax when these things happen, AND speak up, you can be better prepared for any future attacks on your OCD-like nerves.
Posted by: Isabella, 22, F | September 8th, 2008 at 6:29 pm | Report this comment
You sound like one who loves writing and taking notes. Luckily, you never find your notepad in the trash bin!!

My suggestion is that you just before you leave the office, just put your notepad in the “incoming mail” folder.

If this doesn’t work, keep tracking who visits your desk during working hours and see how their eyes navigate your desk.

The culprit seems to be right behind your back

Mutimba
Posted by: Mutimba Mazwi | September 8th, 2008 at 7:58 pm | Report this comment
I know exactly how you feel; and if in fact you do have OCD, it’s not that easy to JUST joke back about something you are compulsive about. As with many people who suffer from OCD Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent thoughts, feelings, ideas or sensations (obsessions) or behaviors that makes a person feel driven to perform (compulsions). The ignorant will make fun, and the people who truly know would and could never poke fun. Although this is just office politics, a friendly “funny” on the neat freak. In my opinion, keep doing what you do, don’t change a thing. Go to work, do your job, be obsessive (your probably the more intelligent of your four colleagues, and that’s why they have time to notice what your doing, they have time to observe you because they aren’t doing their own job. Work is not a popularity situation, if you like your job keep it up, at the end of the day…I wonder who goes home to a cluttered, unorganized mess …and who returns to just the opposite? Now that’s funny!
Posted by: KIMBER HENREY,37,female, CEO | September 9th, 2008 at 7:26 am | Report this comment
If this is seriously stressing you then you quite simply need to seek help. This sort of thing shouldn’t bother you in the slightest, but it does, get yourself sorted before you find yourself trapped in the house because you can’t leave without continually returning to check that the taps are off and the gas isn’t on. (By the way, are you sure you locked the door this morning when you left?).
Posted by: Steve | September 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am | Report this comment
Invite your coworkers to join you at lunch. You may find you have more in common than you realise.
Posted by: Ian, 66,male, chairman | September 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am | Report this comment
You could obtain from the stationery cupboard a set of notepad and pen identical to your own, one for each of your suspects.
Then leave them on _their_desks, either in your usual place or where they’ve been moving your things to.
If asked just tell them you assumed they needed their own as they must have been using yours while you were away.
A nice, non-confrontational way of confronting people and as neither a victim nor a bully.
Posted by: Kay | September 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm | Report this comment
This should be seen as a positive opportunity. Firstly, formally advise your employer that you have a disability/characteristic that needs investigation and managing. Then alert your employer that you feel that you are the victim of discrimination. Find a friendly/empathetic Doctor or Psychologist and achieve a diagnosis of stress.
Finally, negotiate a pay-off & invest your exit funds in establishing your own research unit.
You are a researcher, start thinking like one!
Posted by: A65Bill | September 9th, 2008 at 5:30 pm | Report this comment
You don’t know which one is laughing at you (a “very neat person”)? Probably the three of them.

If you can’t beat them, join in : why not surprise them and make it a foursome?

Play funny jokes on them, just as funny as theirs, such as : leave the pen on the opposite side of where you usually leave it, etc.
Posted by: coco, 36, male, COO | September 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm | Report this comment
Order three boxloads of pens from a bulk supplier - several hundred in each - take them into the office after hours, and dump them over your colleagues’ desks.
Posted by: Sam B | September 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm | Report this comment
Get a therapist
Posted by: Pete | September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm | Report this comment
why no superglue your pad and and enjoy the silly faces next morning … and whistle while you apply the solvent
Posted by: Gundi | September 14th, 2008 at 2:56 pm | Report this comment
Stick a note to your desk, under the pad, saying, “I KNEW you’d do that! Ha. Ha. Thanks. I appreciate reliable friends.” - And then be genuinely friendly with them.
Posted by: Xanthe Adams | September 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am | Report this comment
if you are in england can i suggest you speak to your GP and explain how distressed you are when these things happen to you. if your GP refers you for an assessment and you are diagnosed with OCD don’t worry. many people have it to varying degrees of intensity. if help is offerred and you feel it useful then take up the offer. i do suggest that you talk to your HR manager about your condition. under the Disability discrimination Act you will have the right to have reasonable adjustments made (which can include time off for medical appts) but the employer is obliged uner the DDA to act to stop the harassment otherwise you could if you were so minded go to an Employment tribunal. at the end of the day your colleagues (even if they are not deliberately harming you) are causing you distress and they should stop.

all the best

phil male 54 project manager
Posted by: phil fuller | September 18th, 2008 at 12:57 pm | Report this comment
Lock your pad and pen in the drawer of your desk or in your file cabinet when you are away from office. This will solve your problem and theirs.
Posted by: Mohammed, 38, VP | September 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm | Report this comment
Its interesting how most people have a go at this person for being obsessive, or being “in need of help” or “get a life” or “find a therapist”, which is a fairly typical response from most people who fall into the “its not worth bothering about anything” brigade, but nobody has yet commented how odd it is that these “co workers” actually find it amusing to “move a pen”. Surely its THESE people who need to either find a therapist, either that or a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word “humour”.

The solution, however, is simple: direct action. Whatever they do to you, do back to them, but 10 times worse. It always works. The key thing to remember is never never ever ever give in.
Posted by: Si. | September 29th, 2008 at 1:58 pm | Report this comment
Alan Ayckbourn, where art thou? There’s a play hiding in these comments!
Posted by: Jim, 62, male, test administrator | October 25th, 2008 at 3:11 pm | Report this comment
Am I the only one to find it worrying how many readers suggest shooting the colleagues in questions?

Alexander, 47, male
Posted by: Alexander | November 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm | Report this comment
I think I may have a solution to your problem. When you leave your workplace in future, leave the pen to the right of the pad, when they move it, they will then move it back to the left, it will be in the position you wish it to be in the following morning when you return to work.

I think that will solve your problem without having to have the drama of a conflict with your pesky workmates.
Posted by: vicky | November 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm | Report this comment