Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you ever WFH in bed?

339 replies

Spocyfriedchi · 07/02/2025 21:03

I have an office job. All I need is my laptop. Yes a big screen helps, but my job is mostly excel and then some word and PowerPoint.

Someday (especially when I have anxiety) I like working in bed and feeling all cosy.

Does anyone else do this?

OP posts:
iamnotalemon · 07/02/2025 23:51

I don't but only because I need a proper chair because of my back but otherwise I definitely would 🤣

Though actually if I was too cosy there would be danger of me falling asleep.

RampantIvy · 07/02/2025 23:52

I don't care where or how other people work as long as they are productive.

I just couldn't do my job properly from bed as I need a proper office set up.

Apart from the practicalities, psychologically I wouldn't feel like I was in work mode if I was still in bed. I'm the same with getting dressed when I get up. I don't feel like I have started the day properly until I am dressed.

I also like to keep my sleeping arrangements separate from my office.

YourHappyJadeEagle · 07/02/2025 23:53

Sounds like my idea of heaven. I’m very jealous.

Bingbong2000 · 07/02/2025 23:54

I find pyjamas is bad for productivity. I like my big screen and I can occasionally get a zoom at short notice so Iits not something I do

HowardTJMoon · 07/02/2025 23:56

blueshoes · 07/02/2025 23:48

How is being in a physical job where you had to be horizontal on the floor comparable with working from bed? You are seriously missing the point if you think this is about being 'horizontal'.

Show quote history

I don't know. No-one's been able to explain exactly what it is about being in bed that is objectionable other than, for some people, it is somehow unacceptable. If it's not about being horizontal, what is it about? Being under a blanket? Being propped up by pillows? Being on top of a mattress? What, exactly, is the problem?

Stealer · 07/02/2025 23:57

Perhaps I should take a sleeping bag to work and lie down while I work.

MarkWithaC · 08/02/2025 00:01

Stealer · 07/02/2025 23:57

Perhaps I should take a sleeping bag to work and lie down while I work.

That’s quite funny, but actually I’d be genuinely interested in your precise reasoning as to why working from bed is inherently taking the piss.
Like a pp, I’m not sure if it’s the orientation of a person’s body, or their clothes, or the fact that there’s a mattress underneath them, or maybe the presence of a duvet?
Honestly, I’d really like to know.

SchoolNightWine · 08/02/2025 00:02

No, but I do often walk from my bed to my office and work for a few hours in my pjs😁

HowardTJMoon · 08/02/2025 00:03

Stealer · 07/02/2025 23:57

Perhaps I should take a sleeping bag to work and lie down while I work.

If you study hard and get the right qualifications andexperience, you could get a job where they don't care what position you're in as long as you get the work done.

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:03

HowardTJMoon · 07/02/2025 23:56

I don't know. No-one's been able to explain exactly what it is about being in bed that is objectionable other than, for some people, it is somehow unacceptable. If it's not about being horizontal, what is it about? Being under a blanket? Being propped up by pillows? Being on top of a mattress? What, exactly, is the problem?

Show quote history

They are not as productive working on a small screen than at a work station.

I don't see offices kitted out with sleeping bags. You can argue till your face is blue that you are as productive but if so, why aren't people showing their background is propped up on pillows. I bet their managers would have something to say.

WFH is a privilege. If I thought my reports were working in bed, I would withdraw their WFH privilege, however productive they claim they are.

Stealer · 08/02/2025 00:03

HowardTJMoon · 08/02/2025 00:03

If you study hard and get the right qualifications andexperience, you could get a job where they don't care what position you're in as long as you get the work done.

Show quote history

Oh bore off.

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:07

HowardTJMoon · 08/02/2025 00:03

If you study hard and get the right qualifications andexperience, you could get a job where they don't care what position you're in as long as you get the work done.

Show quote history

I doubt I went to university to get a job lying down. Just any job lying down? I can think of a few that you don't even need qualifications for if that is what you aspire to.

Stealer · 08/02/2025 00:07

I'm imagining rows off sleeping bags in hospitals and supermarkets and care workers etc with workers all reclining while working because they just didn't study hard enough.

Growlybear83 · 08/02/2025 00:10

@blueshoes I haven't worked at a work station in over 25 years and have worked exclusively on a laptop for all thst time. I have a reputation for the quality of my work, and am constantly having to turn work away from prospective new clients.

And when I had to attend meetings from my bed, I had my screen on so people could see where I was - I don't think I've ever used a different background. Everyone knew I'd slipped a disc, so why would I need to pretend that I wasn't in bed?

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:12

Growlybear83 · 08/02/2025 00:10

@blueshoes I haven't worked at a work station in over 25 years and have worked exclusively on a laptop for all thst time. I have a reputation for the quality of my work, and am constantly having to turn work away from prospective new clients.

And when I had to attend meetings from my bed, I had my screen on so people could see where I was - I don't think I've ever used a different background. Everyone knew I'd slipped a disc, so why would I need to pretend that I wasn't in bed?

@Growlybear83 If you have a slipped disc, being in bed is a reasonable adjustment. I am sure you can see why your situation is different from a person without a slipped disc or disability which requires them to work in bed.

It does not extrapolate.

CraneBeak · 08/02/2025 00:14

Stealer · 07/02/2025 23:57

Perhaps I should take a sleeping bag to work and lie down while I work.

I have office slippers and an office blanket. When I don't have any meetings they go on - I'm just ready to shove them out of the way and put my shoes back on if anyone knocks on the door!

MarkWithaC · 08/02/2025 00:15

Stealer · 08/02/2025 00:07

I'm imagining rows off sleeping bags in hospitals and supermarkets and care workers etc with workers all reclining while working because they just didn't study hard enough.

The OP explicitly says she has an office-type job and needs only a laptop. Not at all comparable to a supermarket or hospital job.
But you know that. You’re just being facetious. A pity; I still would genuinely be interested in why specifically someone working on a laptop in bed is offensive and taking the piss while someone doing the same in a chair isn’t.

HowardTJMoon · 08/02/2025 00:16

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:07

I doubt I went to university to get a job lying down. Just any job lying down? I can think of a few that you don't even need qualifications for if that is what you aspire to.

Show quote history

I'm sure there are many jobs for which working from home is inappropriate. At the same time there are many for which it is, and for which the particular item of furniture you choose to sit while doing so is irrelevant. It's no particular skin off my nose either way. I'm just fascinated and amused at the way that some people are so outraged that other people have the kinds of jobs where the angle of their repose doesn't matter as long as the work gets done.

What job did you go to university for? I'm a computer network engineer and I could, if I wished, likely do 75% of my job while in bed. Or sat in a cafe. Or on my sofa. On more than one occasion I've been in the pub (out of hours) and fixed a problem while connected via my mobile phone. If you're interested I could come up with some tips about the kinds of job where you could do the same.

MarkWithaC · 08/02/2025 00:17

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:03

They are not as productive working on a small screen than at a work station.

I don't see offices kitted out with sleeping bags. You can argue till your face is blue that you are as productive but if so, why aren't people showing their background is propped up on pillows. I bet their managers would have something to say.

WFH is a privilege. If I thought my reports were working in bed, I would withdraw their WFH privilege, however productive they claim they are.

Show quote history

That is intriguing. Do you mean even if, as their manager, you could see their productivity levels? So you’d withdraw their WFH privileges on principle only?

HowardTJMoon · 08/02/2025 00:18

Stealer · 08/02/2025 00:07

I'm imagining rows off sleeping bags in hospitals and supermarkets and care workers etc with workers all reclining while working because they just didn't study hard enough.

Your imagination is weird.

Maddy70 · 08/02/2025 00:18

It doesn't matter where you work from as long as you work?

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:19

MarkWithaC · 08/02/2025 00:15

The OP explicitly says she has an office-type job and needs only a laptop. Not at all comparable to a supermarket or hospital job.
But you know that. You’re just being facetious. A pity; I still would genuinely be interested in why specifically someone working on a laptop in bed is offensive and taking the piss while someone doing the same in a chair isn’t.

Show quote history

I'd like to know what office-type job is equally productively done on a laptop in bed than at a workstation desk. All office jobs I have been in have big often dual screens, keyboards and mouse. So being on a laptop is as productive? Might as well work on a mobile phone. I would not be surprised if some people do that from home.

selffellatingouroborosofhate · 08/02/2025 00:20

Hazeby · 07/02/2025 22:47

Why do you put on a background? If it’s ok to work from your bed then what does it matter?

I don’t think many people would be comfortable showing their boss and colleague that they’re in bed and that tells you something.

Show quote history

People put backgrounds on to keep the contents of their homes private. I don't want you to see the airer covered in washing behind me, yet there's nothing shameful about drying washing.

Mirabai · 08/02/2025 00:20

Sure, sometimes there’s a lot that can be done on my iPad.

blueshoes · 08/02/2025 00:20

MarkWithaC · 08/02/2025 00:17

That is intriguing. Do you mean even if, as their manager, you could see their productivity levels? So you’d withdraw their WFH privileges on principle only?

Show quote history

Yes, I would. If I told HR and my manager, they would back me. I'd like to know what company is happy for their employees to WFH from bed.