Man awarded PS21,000 for being moved from 'back desk'
Nicholas Walker, a senior estate agent in the UK, was awarded over £21,000 after a tribunal agreed he was unfairly treated when his company moved him from the "back desk" (reserved for branch managers) to a "middle desk."
He saw this as a clear step down and ended up resigning.
Walker had managed his branch since 2017
This case shows how even small changes at work—like where you sit—can send big signals about your role.
Walker had managed his branch since 2017, but when management gave his usual spot to a junior colleague amid poor communication about the move, it left him feeling sidelined.
The tribunal agreed that the move was both practically and symbolically a demotion.
After raising concerns and getting brushed off by management, Walker resigned—and even tried to take it back but wasn't allowed.
In March, the judge ruled in his favor, finding that poor communication and the handling of the situation amounted to constructive dismissal.
The tribunal agreed that the move was both practically
Sometimes it's not just about your job title—small workplace decisions can have real impact on how valued you feel.
This story is a reminder that fair treatment (and open conversations) at work really do matter.