One of the things I look forward to at work is…my office (I work at a school). It might sound a bit superficial but it makes a big difference in my day to day. I have a window and get plenty of sunlight throughout the day. I love my privacy and the location of the office. I've been working there for almost 5 years. We recently hired a few new full-time professors and so we are expanding and in need of more space, in general.
Today, my boss told me that one of the new professors will need an office and that we are currently short of one. They said that the department is planning on making the current copier room into the “department office.” My boss did not say “we are moving you.” I asked them, “What do you mean by 'the department office'? and they finally responded: You. I asked this because there are other staff within the department but it was clear that my boss was keeping it vague on purpose. The other staff have been there longer than me but given their roles and job duties they will not be moved.
Why didn't my boss just straight up tell me that they are already planning on moving me? I feel bad about this move because my new office would be more than half the size and it does not have a window. They would move the copier machine outside of the small room somewhere. This space is often frequented by everyone in the department – it has constant foot traffic.
In some odd way, I feel like I am being demoted even though that's not the case. I wish my boss would have asked how I felt about it before simply telling me that this is what's already being planned.
I know myself pretty well–I am not going to be happy in the new office space, it'll basically be the size of a small walk-in closet. and without a window, I just know I'll get depressed (I already suffer from depression and anxiety). I asked my boss if they would reconsider having me keep my current office and moving the new faculty member into the new/future office, and they said “no” because the faculty member needs the extra space to hold office hours. Basically, they are giving the professor priority.
Am I in the wrong for feeling let down and unappreciated?
I am grateful to have a job in the first place, but I value wellbeing but I think this move will negatively impact me. I feel a bit guilty even venting about this.
My boss and I have always had a good relationship, they are easy to talk to and reasonable. I asked if there was another option and they said “no” and that they are already looking at the floor plans and will be sending in a form to get approvals to start construction early next year.
After this meeting, my first thought was,…”it's time for me to get a new job.” Unfortunately, I don't think it's a good reason to leave my position. Or could it be?
I already spend so much time at work (Monday-Friday) and most professors don't come in everyday, most started working from home since the pandemic. I am not really allowed to work from home because of my role. So spending the majority of my time in a small 'closet'-like space will likely drive me mad.
This 'issue' is keeping me up because now I feel like I cannot/will not enjoy being in my current office knowing that my days there are numbered…
How would you handle this situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
TL;DR Boss told me I will have to move office spaces to a smaller, windowless space without asking me or being direct with me…is it time for a job change?