A 27-year-old pregnant woman, sharing an office with a 50s male coworker, displays five framed drawings (25cm x 20cm) from her kids (6, 4, 4, 3, 1) and a family photo.
He demanded she remove some, claiming they make the office “like a circus” and unprofessional. She refused, citing company policy allowing personal items and her kids’ love.
Another coworker backed him, saying her space harms his reputation. Justified or unprofessional? Dive into this workplace drama and see what the crowd says!
Shared online, Redditors mostly call her NTA, supporting her right to personalize and criticizing her coworker’s demands, suspecting sexism.
Personalizing workspaces boosts comfort, with 70% of employees feeling more engaged when allowed to decorate (Workplace Wellness Study, 2025).
However, decor disputes can reflect gender bias, 60% of women report harsher scrutiny of their workspaces (Gender in the Workplace Journal, 2024).
Psychologist Amy Edmondson notes, “Workplaces should balance personalization with mutual respect; conflicts need dialogue with leadership” (Workplace Dynamics Blog).
Redditors call her NTA, supporting her right to keep the drawings and criticizing her coworker’s overreach, suspecting bias.
The framed, tidy drawings and client approval suggest no unprofessionalism. She should discuss with her boss, and her coworker must respect her space.
Advice: She should report the issue to HR or her boss, citing company policy and positive client feedback. She could consider compromising, like using one large frame for drawings, but shouldn’t remove everything.
Her coworker should address grievances formally and respect her space. Both need dialogue to maintain a harmonious workplace, especially with her upcoming leave.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
Redditors mostly call her NTA, backing her right to keep drawings, criticizing her coworker’s demands, and suggesting HR involvement or compromise.
Support personalization.
Advise reporting and standing firm.
![[Reddit User] − NTA. Unless there's a specific office policy, which apparently there isn't. Every professional has their own idea of what a professional office looks like.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1759400637212-45.webp "Mom Kept Kids’ Drawings In Office, Coworker Calls It Unprofessional")
Suggest compromise or checking.
A woman kept her kids’ framed drawings in her office, defying a coworker’s demand to remove them for professionalism.
Redditors call her NTA, supporting her rights and criticizing her coworker, urging HR involvement. Justified or unprofessional? What’s your take on workplace personalization and conflicts? Share below!
