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AIBU?

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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:
NoWordForFluffy · 09/02/2025 06:48

Garlicworth · 08/02/2025 21:26

Many moons ago, you used to get one of these with your work laptop. They were ugly, cumbersome, damaged your clothing, and weighed a ton even before you'd stashed your hefty millennial laptop and a few folders inside.

Is this what you want, OP? I bet someone you know has an unwanted one knocking around.

This is what we get issued with!

HoraceCope · 09/02/2025 06:43

pretty sure in nhs you get one as standard, proper rucksack laptop case,
i know our department do,
comes from IT

Blue278 · 09/02/2025 06:09

Come to my office. I’m doing a clear out and there are about 30 in a cupboard which will probably be going in a skip as we don’t know what to do with them.
From the days when we were unprofessional and issued them without thought for the waste and the environment.

xsammi · 09/02/2025 06:03

I'm sort of with the OP.

I think it's unprofessional when companies don't make clear what their actual policies are on kit. New employees won't know what they can and can't ask for without pissing someone off, and it should be explicit.

E.g. You are expected to provide A yourself, you can have B on request in circumstances C and D only, up to a budget of £E and/or by choosing from one of our preferred suppliers.

I also think it should be more generous when you are forced to work from home part-time. If you've been told it's mandatory hybrid working, so don't come in certain days, they should provide suitable equipment, like a backpack or little case on wheels. I think those stupid 'traditional' laptop bags on a crossbody strap are a bad idea for most people in the long run - they're not great for your back.

It's slightly different if you are allowed to work in the office 5 days a week but you've chosen to take advantage of hybrid working. I think if you're the one who chose to cart stuff back and forth, it's more reasonable to expect you to bring your own bag/case.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 09/02/2025 05:42

BriaTee · 08/02/2025 22:19

Me neither.

Council cuts under the Conservatives.

As well as accepting three days extra unpaid leave to save the council money, we were told how many thousands the council would save if we all bought our own laptop bag.

We did ( and accepted the three days unpaid leave too).

Our LA did the 3 days unpaid leave as well. It ca

OP. just use your own bag. I bought a laptop rucksack for mine because I wanted to carry other stuff around as well. I think it was under £30. If you just want a case I think you can pick them up for a few pounds.

OneAquaFatball · 09/02/2025 05:14

doodahdayy · 08/02/2025 21:00

Is this all you have to worry about?

yes, quite famously, this is the ‘post your single most pressing worry’ thread and not one where you are entirely free to tell the person opening themselves up to scrutiny for being unreasonable that they are so.

ThatAgileGoldMoose · 09/02/2025 01:10

It used to be a thing to negotiate a free laptop bag with your new laptop at PC World and the like. The laptops were so bulky, and so were the bags! <drifts off into memory>

I've never really thought about it until this thread but my first few work laptops came with the same standard bag. If you'd have suggested somebody put their laptop in their backpack you'd have been given a funny look, and backpacks with laptop protection weren't a thing.

I was a bit miffed when my current workplace didn't give me a sleeve I must admit. I used my own laptop's sleeve for it for a while, then when I started needing it for my own laptop more I bought the cheapest neoprene case that I could find for the work one, for about 6 quid I think. It's still going strong after 7 years!

CdcRuben · 09/02/2025 00:58

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Tortielady · 09/02/2025 00:56

I've got a sleeve for my personal MacAir and to begin with, I thought I'd use it a lot as it's very slimline. However, it's rigid and not an easy fit in my rucksack, which has a padded laptop pocket, so I leave the sleeve at home and wrap the laptop in a cloth tote bag to protect it from scratches while I'm out and about. The sleeve is useful at home where cat-related shenanigans might be a problem.

NewYearNewJob2024 · 08/02/2025 23:51

Nope! We were told to buy our own if we wanted one!

SoapySponge · 08/02/2025 23:50

I never had a case for any laptop (home or work) that I've ever had.

denhaag · 08/02/2025 23:42

Laptops have been around for a long time, I imagine they assume most people will have one already.
I've never been issued with a case - just whatever comes in the box.
Expenses pay for all the hard and software but it never occurred to me that they should pay for a case.

MelisandeLongfield · 08/02/2025 23:23

Check if you can order one via your workplace buying system. Ours don't come with cases but a case or laptop bag can be ordered, nothing fancy but does the job.

DingDongAlong · 08/02/2025 23:11

I got my first work laptop the other week (and presumed it would be given to me with a case so had nothing to take it home in). I just popped down to the IT department and asked if they had a case I could use.

I'll buy a laptop suitable rucksack in due course, but not forking out anything until I've passed my probation.

OneLilacGuide · 08/02/2025 23:07

I have never been given a laptop case, just bought my own from Amazon approx 10 years ago.

Do you not like your new job?

YourAzureEagle · 08/02/2025 23:04

Oftenaddled · 08/02/2025 20:22

Have you asked for one? Lots of people don't use them these days.

Show quote history

Exactly, I don't use one anymore, I've switched to a typewriter, but I still like to have a cover for it.

CorEckIsLike · 08/02/2025 23:03

I8toys · 08/02/2025 20:29

Get a bag - open the bag - put the laptop in it.

😂😂👏🏼

CorEckIsLike · 08/02/2025 23:03

Hoppinggreen · 08/02/2025 20:25

Bloody Hell, calm down

This

ZZGirl · 08/02/2025 23:00

You're being precious

theteachesofleeches · 08/02/2025 22:57

😂

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 08/02/2025 22:47

Unprofessional and improper? I think that’s a stretch at best.

I don’t know anyone that uses one. Most women (and men) have a nice laptop or work bag.

This is such a non issue and good luck in your new job if this is an example of your expectations.

Zanatdy · 08/02/2025 22:44

Never been issued one from work ever.

Sapienza · 08/02/2025 22:39

AIBU to think that’s a bit improper or unprofessional?

Improper? You have concerns that the laptop was naked?

SpringleDingle · 08/02/2025 22:37

You is mad bro!

notacooldad · 08/02/2025 22:31

Our department has been issued with new laptop tops. They all came with a thin dust cover, not a bag.
Nobody complained, including me.