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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think it’s unprofessional for an employer to give me a work laptop without a case?

155 replies

BusyEagle · 08/02/2025 20:21

I started a new job this week and I was issued a work laptop, but it didn’t come with a case or sleeve for protection. AIBU to think that’s a bit improper or unprofessional? Surely, if they expect me to take care of it, they should provide something to keep it safe?

OP posts:
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user2848502016 · 09/02/2025 19:20

We have them provided by work but it's the type of thing I can see them forgetting to give a new employee.
But the employee could just ask if there are any spare ones available and if not we would order one for them.
Not a big deal really is it?

HowardTJMoon · 09/02/2025 18:45

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 12:11

I don't work from home at all - I'm talking about the set up at work! Do you get the things mentioned provided in your office?

Show quote history

Yes, I get those in the office but I don't get another set for when I'm working from home. Have you done a Display Screen Assessment? It's a health & safety requirement. There's lots of information here - https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ck1.htm

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/02/2025 15:55

Sprig1 · 08/02/2025 20:25

Can you not just buy one and put it on expenses?

This

BriaTee · 09/02/2025 15:33

PipMumsnet · 09/02/2025 09:34

Hello everyone, just a heads up: we do not think the OP is genuine and they won't be returning. But since their thread has gained momentum we are going to let it run.
MNHQ

Out of interest, how are you made aware?

How do you make a decision on what is genuine and what isn't?

This is a harmless thread about a laptop bag, however there are many recently picking at Labour, picking at immigration, many with misinformation.

Do you check that all threads are genuine? ( there has been claims that threads are ‘bot’ generated).

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 12:11

HotCrossBunplease · 09/02/2025 09:24

Depends if you work from home by choice or not. If you always have the option to go to an office with a monitor, keyboard etc then I can see why they might not be willing to find a full home working setup.

That said, my employer does give us screen/mouse keyboard for home even though we are free to work from the office full time if we wish. They are quite a profitable private sector organisation but I can see that it is a choice not all employers would make. They draw the line at providing office chairs for home working though, so I don’t think it’s a health and safety thing.

Show quote history

I don't work from home at all - I'm talking about the set up at work! Do you get the things mentioned provided in your office?

nellythe · 09/02/2025 11:17

Good Lord I hate being an employer 😂
Luckily I’ve currently got nobody on my team like you.

KimberleyClark · 09/02/2025 11:16

MellowCritic · 09/02/2025 08:53

What ??? Yeah because the employer is really going to come on here talking about a laptop case 🙄

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Maybe it’s someone responsible for the stationery budget who is sick of being asked to order laptop cases. I got people asking for really fancy ones but never ordered them. Public sector, so public funds.

Anotheranonymousname · 09/02/2025 11:15

This has reminded me that my work offered to get me a laptop bag if I wanted. At the start, I wasn't that bothered as I put it in my backpack but actually, the laptop itself is so heavy I'd quite like a separate bag now. But I'll just ask, like an adult.

kalokagathos · 09/02/2025 11:11

Was meant to say:"does NOT provide sleeves" 🙄

kalokagathos · 09/02/2025 11:09

My company employing 400k people globally does provide sleeves. Worked there 15 years.

SallyWD · 09/02/2025 10:01

We're not given them at my workplace, but I have a rucksack with a compartment for a laptop, so I use that. I think if I felt strongly about it they'd order me a case but these days most people already have bags with laptop compartments.

ClairDeLaLune · 09/02/2025 09:41

improper

😂😂😂

MNHQ
PipMumsnet · 09/02/2025 09:34

Hello everyone, just a heads up: we do not think the OP is genuine and they won't be returning. But since their thread has gained momentum we are going to let it run.
MNHQ

HotCrossBunplease · 09/02/2025 09:24

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 09:18

Thank you - but I do have to say, why should all this come out of my salary?

Show quote history

Depends if you work from home by choice or not. If you always have the option to go to an office with a monitor, keyboard etc then I can see why they might not be willing to find a full home working setup.

That said, my employer does give us screen/mouse keyboard for home even though we are free to work from the office full time if we wish. They are quite a profitable private sector organisation but I can see that it is a choice not all employers would make. They draw the line at providing office chairs for home working though, so I don’t think it’s a health and safety thing.

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 09:18

JustFrustrated · 09/02/2025 08:58

...buy a monitor from Currys/Amazon/anywhere and a HDMI cable...away you go

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Thank you - but I do have to say, why should all this come out of my salary?

HowardTJMoon · 09/02/2025 09:17

certainagedwoman · 09/02/2025 08:22

In 20 years of using laptops for work, I've never had a case, and never had a problem which a case would've helped with

I used to just put my laptop in my backpack but there's always various bits of detritus in there and more than once I've found something jammed in a port on the laptop. Now my laptop goes in a sleeve that then gets put in my backpack.

PoorAbbeyWalsh · 09/02/2025 09:12

Is this this your first job ? 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

HotCrossBunplease · 09/02/2025 09:11

I feel like OP is the type of person who keeps her phone in one of those flip-open leather cases.

OP if it’s a reasonable sized organisation the laptop hardware won’t even have cost them very much (possibly just leased), it’s not the Ark of the Covenant. The reason employers are so strict about keeping laptops “safe” is because of the data they contain, they are not that fussed about physical damage. A case would not stop you leaving it in a pub or on the train. Actually, come to think of it, you are less likely to lose/forget it/get it stolen if you put it into your main rucksack - which almost certainly has a laptop compartment in it- rather than carrying it in a separate bag.

Oodlesandoodlesofnoodles · 09/02/2025 09:05

Justalittlehandhold · 09/02/2025 08:45

Excellent work ethic, you must be a real asset to any employer! 🙄

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How is not wanting to spend money at work at all related to your work ethic?

Oodlesandoodlesofnoodles · 09/02/2025 09:04

My laptop cover was £1 from the pound shop and it’s lasted me years!

Passthecake30 · 09/02/2025 09:02

Just read the thread and now I have a massive urge to upgrade my freebie cumbersome laptop bag with a nice rucksack for the one day per month I go to the office.

JustFrustrated · 09/02/2025 08:58

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 08:57

What bugs me more is being given a laptop for work and having to buy my own stand, keyboard, mouse. I really want an extra screen but not even sure how to source that.

...buy a monitor from Currys/Amazon/anywhere and a HDMI cable...away you go

Rugbyrover · 09/02/2025 08:57

What bugs me more is being given a laptop for work and having to buy my own stand, keyboard, mouse. I really want an extra screen but not even sure how to source that.

Lozzq · 09/02/2025 08:57

Is this is your threshold for complaining I think you are going to find working very challenging.

MellowCritic · 09/02/2025 08:53

Madamecholetsbonnet · 08/02/2025 20:26

Is this a reverse?

What ??? Yeah because the employer is really going to come on here talking about a laptop case 🙄