i have four virtual workspaces configured for my desktop. _when i start an application, say a monitor tool on desktop 2 then switch to desktop 4 to work on other things the desktop auto changes back to desktop 2 when the monitor app refreshes with new data. _can this be configured.?

It seems the "monitor tool" forcefully(?) claims the focus, try raising the focus stealing prevention, either in general ("kcmshell4 kwinoptions") or by a rule for that particular "monitor tool" window ("kcmshell kwinrules", last tab)
Another option would be that the "monitor tool" pretends to be a pager and sets the current virtual desktop whenever it feels like - that cannot be prevented, you'll have to file a bug against the "monitor tool" (and should perhaps anyway, for aggressive focus stealing)