Villagers prefer to be above workstations. When there are blocks on top of their job site they will prefer to walk a level higher to be above their workstation.
Removing the cobblestone in the picture, will cause the villager to walk down the stairs to their workstation. Placing it back will cause them to walk back up.
When I block the stairs, they will stand next to their workstation either way. (but they won't like it 😛)
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Confirmed for 19w35a
Still present in 19w42a
Still present in 1.15.2
Still present in 20w13a.
Still present in 20w15a
still present in 20w16a
Still present in 20w17a.
Also note that this prevent the villager from restocking its trades.
May I request ownership of this ticket?
@Pelle Reinke
Of course, but how can I do that?
No Idea, a mod can probably help with that 🙂
@@unknown Feel free to update your ticket when it's confirmed for a new version. 😉
Still present in 20w18a
Yes, we can change the reporter of the ticket as long as the original reporter is no longer active or is fine with it.
I've given the ticket to @unknown now.
Thanks 🙂
Still in 1.16rc1
Can confirm in 20w49a.

Affects 1.17
I can confirm this, it will always choose the highest Y coordinate pathable if the two blocsk directly above its workstation is blocked off.
[media]Also notice that there is a shorter path if the villager chose to stand beneath the workstation instead of above it.
And it can also be blocked with fence post or stone wall and other blocks.
This ultimately prevents the villager from restocking its trades if it cant reach its workstation correctly.