So I have an employee that I cannot correct without her crying and being upset the rest of the day. I have evaluated how I bring things up to her and have tried to be extra sensitive but she just can’t take criticism. I have great productive conversations with other employees when I bring issues to their attention. I’m not trying to be some mean unapproachable tyrant.

We have the option of working from home on Fridays and my sensitive employee, let’s refer to her as “Lisa”, hates working from home so chooses to come into the office.

This past Friday, I was working from home while Lisa was in the office.

We had a task list for the day to get done. We also have a new employee starting in over a week.

Well Lisa took it upon herself to chose a desk for the new employee and clear it out. I found it a little odd that she is not a manager but took it upon herself to chose and prep a desk but I appreciate the help. I can get past that.

What I’m really struggling with is that she chose a desk that was being used as storage space. Not a big deal. BUT, what did she do with all of the stuff in that desk, she took it upon herself to bring it over to my desk and shelves and reorganize my personal area. We have an open community office but I have the corner where I have my desk, shelves on the wall, and a bookcase behind me. I consider that my littler personal corner.

I get really weird about people going through my stuff and taking it upon themselves to reorganize it. And then not say anything about it? It’s very odd to me.

We have lots and lots of communal areas and we all have one little desk area to claim as our own space.

I want to bring up to Lisa that while I appreciate her willingness to help, please don’t mess with others personal spaces/items. But Lisa is so sensitive, I don’t know how to nicely say “don’t touch my sh*t” in a professional manner.

Further clarification, Lisa is not a young/entry level position. She is an educated, 15+ year experienced employee.

I want to address it so it is not a problem in the future. Please pass along your advice on how to *sensitively* bring this up to Lisa!