Background: There's a girl at work that's always come off with a slight attitude; she's not rude or anything when talking to her, but there's just something with her. The background comes in when earlier this summer, the air was blasting away and I was cold, as usual. That day, I got up and turned the air off on the thermostat. I had only planned to leave it off for about 2 hours and then turn it back on, since most people don't like it as warm as I do.
Literally 2 minutes after I sat back down at my desk from doing that, she purposefully got up and turned it back on. I was in shock at what happened really; I had to walk outside to calm myself down because I was so angry.
Fast forward to now: 2 times within the last week or so, I've noticed that my heater will be off, and I KNOW that I didn't turn it off. Of course I automatically assume it's her too, because of the summer incident, and because she seems to like exclaiming loudly how "warm it is in here!" (We have been turning off the air, because it's been 40 degrees out and there's no common sense need for air).
The first time, I was somewhat mad and was thinking "You bitch" about her. It happened again yesterday, and this time I was livid.
The fact that the heat has been turned off is not why I'm mad; I'm furious because this means someone has been invading MY PERSONAL space to mess around with MY heater. I do NOT tolerate people in my personal space unless I've "invited" you there. I am literally shocked at the disrepect that this is involving. I get to freeze and suffer year round because I naturally get colder easier than most people, but I deal. She has to "suffer" a few days and is pulling a bitch move on me?? I don't think so.
Today, I left my desk for 30 mins. to run an errand and when I got back, I noticed that once again my heater was off. I had to walk outside to cool down, but even so, my hands are shaking because I'm so mad. I know for a fact that I turned the heater down to Low before I left, not Off, and it was off when I got back.
I'm sorry to whine about something so trivial; I just don't like her and the fact of her invading my space because she can't deal with a warmer temp like I do with colder, just bothers me like none other.
A. Confront her about it. People like that who think they can do whatever they want and should have things the way they want no matter what probably have a pretty big ego problem to think it's ok for them to do things like this. But people with this problem typically think that they intimidate people and no one would dare confront them. If you do it might jar her a little and put her in her place if you show her you are not intimidated and tell her you do not appretiate what she is doing.
B. Start moving stuff around on her desk when she's not there. 2 can play at her game.
The mature thing would be A, but wouldn't B be fun??
Oh, I wish you could catch her in the act. That is truly wrong and unacceptable. You need to nip this one in the butt. Could it be anyone else turning off your heater?
I agree you could confront her about it.....but be prepared, I am familiar with dealing with people like this, and 9 times out of 10, they will deny everything. Just be prepared, if you tell her you don't appreciate what she's doing, for her to say, "I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't been in your office," or whatever. Make sure you have a clever response to that, or else she will win twice (not only does she get away with messing with your stuff, but also with lying about it!)
Oooh, I'd be pissed too. I hate people touching my things.
Although I really to love Luv2shop's idea of moving things around on her desk, you probably should just ask if she is the one that has been turning off your heater and see if you can have a reasonable conversation about it.
If that doesn't work, come in on the weekend and link all her paperclips together!
How nice. I just heard her talking to another co-worker about how my heater is on from 8am-on and how hot it gets...
Guess that confirms that. Why she can't even ASK me nicely to turn it off for a bit because it's getting warm is beyond me. I don't even get that courtesy.
Another thought...Could your work space be moved to a warmer area? It might not be feasible, but in our building some areas are warmer than others.
Actually, my dad was asking me if I would, because of these problems. At first, I didn't want to because I like the area of the office I'm in. Now however, because of me overhearing her just now, I want to move away from the bitch (pardon my French)
omg, this so reminds me of my summer roomie (remember w/scary possessive bf?). He would come over EVERY NIGHT, invading OUR apt (she was just a 2 mo. sublet- we'd been there for 2 years), and turn the air conditioning to always on. Every night. I would have all my blankets on, sweatshirts and sweatpants on, and i would wake up with a cough. It must have been 50 degrees in our apt. Makes my blood boil too reading your post- reminds me of my ordeal. it sounds silly, but it really is a big deal when its happening to you.