I had about 8 smithing tables with normal villagers using them. those villagers then got converted into zombies and burnt, so I removed the workstations. now new villagers are claiming smithing tables in that location, although they do not physically exist.
MC-168801
Villagers claiming and working at workstations that have been removed
Resolved
Awaiting Response
0
Please check if this is still an issue for you in 1.16 Release Candidate 1 or later.